If Democrats are able to hold their majorities in the Maine State Legislature after the Nov. 8 election, there may be a greater opportunity to advance more progressive policies. A bloc of conservative Maine Senate Democrats — who have been a hurdle to efforts to expand workers’ rights, pass criminal justice reforms, fund affordable housing…
Beginning on July 1, over 200,000 low-income adults in Maine gained access to comprehensive oral health coverage, the result of a multi-year campaign by advocates that culminated in the state legislature and Gov. Janet Mills taking action in 2021 to close the longstanding benefits gap. As part of the state budget passed last year, Mills…
Maine Democrats finalized their party platform at a convention over the weekend in Bangor, including some progressive policy principles such as the right to health care, housing, food and reproductive freedom but also drawing the ire of youth advocates who pointed out the party’s failure to pass a bill recognizing the sovereignty of the Wabanaki…
Gov. Janet Mills on Wednesday signed a bill aimed at facilitating the development of affordable housing by reforming zoning laws and cutting red tape, a top priority for advocates during this year’s legislative session. The bill, LD 2003, is an effort to begin to address Maine’s affordable housing crisis by reducing barriers to the construction…
A legislative campaign to track solitary confinement in Maine’s prison and jails came to an end on Tuesday when a heavily watered down bill addressing the use of isolation as punishment died due to a disagreement between the Maine House and Senate. Rep. Charlotte Warren (D-Hallowell) rose on the House floor to concede a compromise…
A bill aimed at reforming zoning laws and cutting red tape to allow for development of affordable housing units passed its final vote in the Maine House on Monday, putting the measure on the path to becoming law if ultimately funded by the legislature. The bill, LD 2003, is an effort to begin to address…
Grassroots activists joined labor and State House leaders on Wednesday in Augusta to call on Maine’s congressional delegation to jump start talks on President Joe Biden’s stalled social spending package that called for much-needed investments in the country’s social safety net and addressed the escalating threat of climate change. If the package can not be…
There was optimism this session among housing advocates that two priority bills aimed at cutting through the web of zoning and land use ordinances that sometimes block affordable housing development had a good chance of passing. But those hopes have been dampened after the proposed zoning reforms, sponsored by legislative leaders, were significantly watered down…
Advocates are frustrated and disappointed that a bill to restore health benefits through MaineCare to all low-income people in the state regardless of immigration status won’t be receiving a work session in a Maine legislative committee. Still, leaders of the campaign supporting the bill said they will push for the policy to be included in…
A top priority for affordable housing advocates this legislative session suffered a significant blow on Wednesday when a bill aimed at reforming zoning laws and cutting red tape to allow for development of affordable units was significantly scaled back. To address Maine’s soaring home prices and rents and dearth of affordable units, Maine House Speaker…