MEASURE TO STRENGTHEN MAINE LAWS ON MILITARY SEXUAL ASSAULT RECEIVES UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FROM COMMITTEE
Bill sponsored by Senator Valentino directs Adjutant General to conduct an assessment of the Maine Code of Military Justice AUGUSTA-This morning, the state’s Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee unanimously approved a measure sponsored by Senator Linda Valentino (D-Saco) to address military sexual assault. “No matter where it occurs, sexual assault must not be tolerated,”...
Maine’s Legislative Council approves $30,000 to help victims of Lewiston fires
http://bangordailynews.com/2013/05/09/news/state/maines-legislative-council-approves-30000-to-help-victims-of-lewiston-fires/ AUGUSTA, Maine — The 10-member Legislative Council voted unanimously Thursday to send the City of Lewiston $30,000 to help some of the 200 people left homeless by three downtown fires last week. The council, which includes the minority and majority leaders in both the House and Senate as well as the Speaker of the...
MAINE DEMOCRATS ANNOUNCE SCHOOL EVALUATION SYSTEM OF FAIRNESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Dems say assessment must involve stakeholders and measure student progress AUGUSTA—On Wednesday, leaders of the Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee announced a fair system to evaluate Maine schools. Democrats said the proposal offered a contrast to Governor LePage’s flawed A-F grading system and was consistent with their effort to strengthen public education for...
SENATE OVERWHELMINGLY PASSES MEASURE AIMED AT GROWING MAINE’S DOWNTOWNS
Bill to invest in Maine’s downtowns AUGUSTA—Earlier this morning, the Senate passed a measure to strengthen and grow Maine’s downtowns and Main Streets by a vote of 34-1. “Our downtowns are key components of our economy, our way of life, and our community,” said Senator Seth Goodall of Richmond, the sponsor of the measure....
Seacoast Online: Legislators kill tax relief bill that would have helped veterans
By Susan Morse Read more here YORK, Maine — Veteran Cosmo DiBiase last week lost his fight for passage of a bill he claims would have given Maine’s non-combat veterans the same rights granted those who served during times of war. DiBiase, 75, of York, said he will try again next year. The bill would...
LAWMAKERS OPPOSE INFRINGEMENTS ON WOMEN’S RIGHT TO PRIVACY IN HEALTH CARE DECISIONS
Senators Valentino and Cain joined by advocates, vow to defeat anti-choice bills AUGUSTA- Senator Linda Valentino (D-Saco) and Senator Emily Cain (D-Orono) joined other legislators at a Maine Choice Coalition press conference this morning to support women’s reproductive rights and oppose anti-choice bills introduced this session. “We will not allow reproductive freedom to...
SENATE DEMOCRATS CONDEMN SCHOOL “SCARLET LETTER” GRADES
Grading system is a flawed, biased PR-gimmick AUGUSTA—Senate Democrats condemned the “A” to “F” school grading system announced by Governor Paul LePage and Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen this afternoon. “It is shameful that the governor once again divides our state—this time with another attack on education. This proposal does nothing to help students and instead...
Weekly Radio Address: Senator Boyle says, “We cannot let politics or ideologies get in the way of proven energy efficiency solutions”
Weekly Radio Address: Senator Boyle Good morning. This is State Senator Jim Boyle from Gorham. I’d like to talk to you today about something that impacts us all. Energy costs. We all use it and need it and, bemoan its expense. Businesses and families alike share these concerns. But here’s...
LEGISLATIVE ETHICS PANEL TAKES INITIAL STEPS TOWARD INVESTIGATING LEPAGE HEARING OFFICER MEETING
AUGUSTA — On Friday morning, the Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee voted unanimously to ask the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability (OPEGA) to gather information from federal investigators and the governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission before launching an investigation. The Committee asked OPEGA to determine if federal investigators and the governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission...
Bill Aims to Give Maine Seniors Another Option to Pay for End-of-Life Care
http://www.mpbn.net/News/MaineNewsArchive/tabid/181/ctl/ViewItem/mid/3475/ItemId/27619/Default.aspx Bill Aims to Give Maine Seniors Another Option to Pay for End-of-Life Care Reported By: Patty B. Wight According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly seven in 10 people over age 65 will need long term care at some point in their lives. But a recent poll by the AP-NORC Center for Public...
ANTI-WORKER MEASURES STRONGLY REJECTED BY SENATE
Right-to-work-for-less bill defeated AUGUSTA–Earlier today, the Maine Senate strongly rejected two anti-worker measures that, if passed, would have weakened and undermined Maine’s economy and workforce. Two years ago, under Republican-control, similar measures were also rejected by the Legislature. “Right to work was a bad idea in 1948 when Maine voters rejected it by a...
BILL TO STRENGTHEN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION RECEIVES EARLY SUPPORT
Senator Tuttle sponsors bill to increase funding for Head Start AUGUSTA- Senator John Tuttle (D-Sanford) has sponsored a measure to provide increased funding for Head Start programs in Maine. The bill would restore the funding for Head Start services that was eliminated in the 2012-2013 state budget. “Investing in children early on in...
