Policy
Maine Policy News
Governor Mills Announces Opioid Response Summit
Published Date: 05/23/2019
Governor Janet Mills announced today that her Administration will convene an Opioid Response Summit on July 15, 2019 at the Augusta Civic Center. The summit, “Turning the Tide: Maine’s Path Forward in Addressing the Opioid Crisis,” will bring together members of the public, health providers, experts, affected individuals and families, and law enforcement officials from across Maine to foster collaboration on the state’s ongoing response to the opioid crisis.
…Governor Mills Signs Bill to Strengthen Transparency in Citizen Referendums
Published Date: 05/23/2019
“I’m happy to see this commonsense bill gain broad bipartisan support. This new law will bring much needed transparency to the referendum system by requiring every measure be vetted by the Legislature before it is sent out for a vote. The more people know about a referendum and its financial backers before they vote, the better. Thanks to Governor Mills and my colleagues for their support,” said Senator Timberlake, R-Androscoggin.
…Golden Secures Amendment to Protect Veterans and Servicemembers from Financial Fraud, Abuse
Published Date: 05/22/2019
Golden provision to ensure consumer watchdog works for veterans and service-members passes as part of the Consumers First Act
…Governor Mills Signs Bill to Review Child Welfare Caseloads
Published Date: 05/21/2019
Governor Janet Mills today signed LD 821, a Resolve To Review Caseloads for Child Welfare Caseworkers, sponsored by Rep. Colleen Madigan of Waterville and passed unanimously by the Legislature, which requires the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to review child welfare caseloads and develop standard caseload recommendations with input from caseworkers and the Public Consulting Group.
…Economic roadmap will seek to grow and diversify Maine’s economy and build a skilled and robust workforce
Published Date: 05/21/2019
Economic roadmap will seek to grow and diversify Maine’s economy and build a skilled and robust workforce
…Golden Backs Bill to Help Stop Outsourcing of Maine Jobs
Published Date: 05/21/2019
Golden cosponsors No Tax Breaks for Outsourcing Jobs Act, new legislation that protects American jobs by taxing domestic & int’l profits at the same rate
…Golden Leads Bipartisan Group to Send a Message to Leadership: Stop Playing Politics with Rx Drugs and the American People
Published Date: 05/17/2019
Motivated by Congress’ inability to address unsustainable prescription drug costs, Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) led a bipartisan group of members of Congress today to call out House leadership for their partisanship and unwillingness to take more aggressive action to lower drug prices.…
Governor Mills Signs Bill to Prohibit Native American Mascots in Maine
Published Date: 05/16/2019
Flanked by Maine tribal leaders and ambassadors, lawmakers, and education officials, Governor Janet Mills signed into law a bill passed unanimously by the Legislature to prohibit Native American mascots in all Maine public schools Thursday.
…Governor Mills Nominates Additional Candidates for University of Maine System Boards of Trustees
Published Date: 05/15/2019
Governor Janet Mills announced today that she has nominated two additional candidates to the University of Maine System Board of Trustees. Governor Mills previously nominated four candidates to the Board on March 28, 2019.
…Golden Tapped to Join Rural Broadband Task Force
Published Date: 05/15/2019
Task force will lead push to bring affordable, reliable broadband to rural communities by 2025
…Golden Urges Congress To Bring Local TV Access to Satellite Customers in the County
Published Date: 05/14/2019
Outdated TV signal law leaves many in Presque Isle without access to local news, weather, and emergency information
…Governor Mills Releases Biennial Budget Change Package
Published Date: 05/14/2019
Focuses on improving child welfare system, repairing school infrastructure, paying down debt & saving for rainy day
…Governor Mills Signs Bill to Establish Permanent Wabanaki Law Enforcement Seat on Maine Criminal Justice Academy Board of Trustees
Published Date: 05/14/2019
“The Maine Criminal Justice Academy Board of Trustees works to create excellence in law enforcement by listening to the diverse voices of elected officials, members of state and local government, and private citizens,” said Governor Mills. “By signing this legislation, we will also ensure the voices of Maine tribes are heard in the training and certification of our law enforcement officers and in advancing our shared goal of building a safer Maine.”
…Golden to Mainers: What Infrastructure Does Your Community Need?
Published Date: 05/13/2019
Following last week’s news that President Trump and Congressional leaders had begun negotiations on an infrastructure bill, Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced a plan to gather input on infrastructure priorities directly from Mainers. The Congressman released a survey to hear directly from constituents about the most pressing infrastructure needs in their communities and learn how deteriorating infrastructure affects their lives.…
Senator Collins Highlights Importance of Aggressively Pursuing New International Markets for Maine Lobster & Seafood
Published Date: 05/10/2019
Maine Lobster has an in-state impact of approx. $1.5 billion per year, and aquaculture is on the rise
…Maine Pilotage Commission Meeting
Published Date: 05/10/2019
The Maine Pilotage Commission has received requests from the Eastport Pilots and Penobscot Bay & River Pilots to adjust their rates. A Public Meeting to discuss these requests will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 23, 2019 in Conference Room 216 at MaineDOT headquarters, 24 Capital Street, Augusta ME
If a Tree Falls in the Forest…
Published Date: 05/10/2019
Since January, I’ve traveled around our state to hear from Mainers, and I’ve made a point of meeting with loggers and folks in the forest products industry. Here are a few of the biggest challenges I’ve heard about from loggers…
…Relief for Maine H-2B Employer Stakeholders: U.S. DOL, DHS release 30,000 H-2B Visas Nationally for Returning Foreign Workers
Published Date: 05/09/2019
The visas are for American businesses that are likely to suffer irreparable harm (that is, permanent and severe financial loss) without the ability to employ all of the H-2B workers requested on their respective petitions before the end of FY 2019.
…Governor Mills Signs Bills to Strengthen Oversight, Improve Transparency in Electric Utility Company Billing Practices
Published Date: 05/09/2019
Governor Janet Mills announced today that she has signed two bills into law to improve transparency in customer billing practices and strengthen public oversight of transmission and distribution utilities.
…Senators Collins and King Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Ban Drilling Off Coast of New England
Published Date: 05/06/2019
Bill would protect ocean economy that generates $17 billion annually throughout New England