SENATE SUPPORTS MEASURE TO STRENGTHEN MAINE LAWS ON MILITARY SEXUAL ASSAULT
Bill sponsored by Senator Valentino directs Adjutant General to conduct an assessment of the Maine Code of Military Justice AUGUSTA-– Earlier today, the Senate approved a measure to address military sexual assault. This vote comes the day after the U.S. House of Representatives passed The Ruth Moore Act, the first major piece of legislation addressing...
BUDGET COMMITTEE TAKES ON LIQUOR DEAL FINANCIALS
Final payment to hospitals to move forward AUGUSTA — Lawmakers on the state’s budget writing committee agreed today that they would take the lead on crafting the financial structure for the state’s liquor deal. The liquor revenue will be used for the state’s final payment owed on Maine’s hospital debt. Maine’s hospitals have been...
Legislative sentiment for Ray Broomhall
AUGUSTA — On April 6 in the Maine Legislature, a Legislative sentiment was made on behalf of Ray Broomhall for his retirement after 50 active years with the Mexico Fire Department. The sentiment was sponsored by Dist. 93 Rep. Sheryl Briggs of Mexico and cosponsored by State Sen. John Patrick of Oxford. Briggs said, “The...
MEASURE HELPING VET ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVES INITIAL SUPPORT IN MAINE SENATE
AUGUSTA—The Maine Senate gave initial support for a bill that would allow charitable nonprofits, including Veterans organizations, to operate up to five slot machines at their facility. In a vote of 19 – 14, LD 1469 received bipartisan support. “The question we should all be asking is whether or not as lawmakers we’re...
State Liquor Deal Expires in 2 Years, Renewal Decision Due in July
A liquor distribution contract negotiated eight years ago by then Governor John Baldacci with a private company is up for renewal in two years, but lawmakers on both sides of the isle are already scrutinizing efforts to extend it. The agreement with Maine Beverage Company was crafted back in 2004 as a budget-balancing mechanism that...
Bill would move Maine away from caucuses toward presidential primary
AUGUSTA, Maine — A last-minute bill has been submitted to the Legislature to shift Maine from a presidential caucus state to a presidential primary state by 2016. LD 1882 comes on the heels of the Maine Republican Party’s caucuses in February that many believe were mishandled. “I think for many people the caucuses this year...
Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day debuts March 30 in Rumford
RUMFORD — River Valley veterans who served during the Vietnam War are invited to attend a special recognition ceremony Friday, March 30. It will be held at 1 p.m. at American Legion Post 24, 184 Congress St. in Rumford. All veterans from all services are welcome to attend and be recognized on this day, co-organizer...
Maine Senate sustains “do-nothing” vote on Clean Elections law
AUGUSTA — After several hours of debate and defeated amendments, lawmakers in the state Senate on Thursday approved a change to the Maine Clean Election Act that opponents say threatens the future of the program. On the largely party-line vote dominated by the Republican majority, senators voted 18-15 to approve the so-called “do-nothing” option...
Bill forces Maine officials to report state payments they receive through businesses
AUGUSTA, Maine — A legislative committee has approved a bill to close an ethics law loophole that has allowed high-level state officials to avoid reporting millions of dollars in state payments to organizations run by themselves or their immediate family members. The bill now heads for a vote by the full Legislature. Gov. Paul LePage...
Maine lawmakers poised to debate future of Clean Elections law
AUGUSTA — Lawmakers will soon vote on measures that could determine the viability of Maine’s Clean Election Act. The Maine Senate last week gave initial approval to a so-called “do nothing” bill that conformed Maine’s public campaign finance program with a U.S. Supreme Court decision. The decision outlawed publicly-funded candidates from receiving additional taxpayer money...
