Policy
Maine Policy News
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
Paving Work in Franklin and Oxford Counties
Published Date: 05/06/2019
The Maine Department of Transportation is conducting paving work and guardrail improvements on Routes 4, 140, and 17 in Franklin and Oxford Counties. This work will require alternating one-way traffic from Monday through Saturday. The specific work areas are as follows…
Golden Backs Bipartisan Legislation to Make Pro-Worker Changes to Tax Bill
Published Date: 05/03/2019
Golden cosponsors Tax Fairness for Workers Act, new legislation to allow union members to deduct union dues & unreimbursed work expenses
What’s in your dinner?
Published Date: 05/03/2019
Last month Jared Golden joined Democratic and Republican colleagues to urge the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to enforce the FDA’s own rules and regulations on ‘fishless fish’ and other misleadingly labeled foods.
…Governor Mills Vetoes LD 822
Published Date: 05/02/2019
Governor Janet Mills announced today that she has vetoed LD 822, An Act to Prohibit the Sale of Motor Fuel Containing More Than 10 Percent Ethanol.
University of Maine, ORNL Launch Partnership to Catalyze 3D Printing with Wood-Based Products
Published Date: 05/02/2019
New $20 million additive manufacturing initiative connects local economies with national lab resources
…Maine DOE Kicks off Teacher Appreciation Week Early with Video Shout-outs to Maine Teachers #TeachMaine
Published Date: 05/02/2019
Teacher Appreciation Week runs May 6th through the 10th, and it is our hope that people throughout Maine, including students, will be encouraged to thank a teacher who has inspired or influenced them and share a video message through social media with the hashtag #TeachMaine. Please tag Maine DOE on Facebook and/or Twitter. We want to spread the word!
Golden Votes to Keep U.S. in Paris Agreement, Protect Maine’s Environment
Published Date: 05/02/2019
Congressman Jared Golden voted to pass the Climate Action Now Act, a bill that would block the removal of the United States from the Paris Agreement and direct the administration to create a plan to meet the pollution reduction goals included in the agreement.
Governor Mills Convenes First Meeting of Children’s Cabinet
Published Date: 05/02/2019
Cabinet outlines immediate action, including the establishment of a new Chief Pediatrician for Maine, to support children’s health and safety
…Governor Mills Signs Executive Order Creating ATV Task Force
Published Date: 05/01/2019
Although there are many ATV users who are operating on public and private lands responsibly, the Task Force comes at a time when there are other ATV operators who are disobeying state laws and trespassing on and damaging private lands. Governor Mills’ Executive Order establishes the Task Force to evaluate and recommend policy changes that will protect private lands and help preserve outdoor recreation opportunities, like ATV use, and their economic benefits.
Governor Mills Introduces Bill to Establish Maine Climate Council
Published Date: 04/30/2019
The Climate Council will develop the action plan and timetable to meet the state’s greenhouse gas reduction goals, to promote jobs and economic benefits for Maine people in the transition to a lower carbon economy, and to support the climate resiliency of Maine’s communities.
…Governor Mills Signs Bill to Protect Health of Maine Children By Prohibiting Electronic Smoking Devices on School Grounds
Published Date: 04/30/2019
Governor Janet Mills announced today that she has signed legislation to protect the health of Maine children. LD 152 “An Act to Prohibit the Possession and Use of Electronic Smoking Devices on School Grounds,” sponsored by Senator Rebecca Millett of Cape Elizabeth, bans the use or possession of all electronic smoking devices and tobacco products on school grounds, school buses, and at any school sponsored event.
…Rural Schools Tackle Attendance Issues at Spring Summit in Bangor
Published Date: 04/30/2019
District and school administrators and educators from thirty-six districts and education entities in rural Maine convened at Jeff’s Catering in Bangor recently for the first ever Rural Maine Attendance Summit organized by RSU 74 Superintendent Mike Tracy.
Input Sought for Teacher Shortage Areas
Published Date: 04/30/2019
As part of a federal requirement, the Maine Department of Education submits to the U.S. Department of Education teacher shortage areas for designation, based on collected data and public input. The U.S. DOE annually designates teacher shortage areas for purposes of deferment of loan repayments or reductions of teaching obligation.
Social Studies Standards Revision- LD 283
Published Date: 04/30/2019
On April 19, 2019 Governor Mills signed LD 283, which contained the revised Maine Learning Results for Social Studies. While personal finance has always been included in the standards, this bill and the subsequent revision of the standards were designed to make explicit the importance of this content area.
Golden Discusses NAFTA with Union Workers in Skowhegan, Small Business Priorities in Lewiston
Published Date: 04/30/2019
Golden seeks out feedback from workers & small businesses to inform priorities