• Read more about Legislative Council advances Madigan bill to support low-barrier shelters

AUGUSTA - The Legislative Council recently approved a bill from Rep. Colleen Madigan, D-Waterville, that would increase the nightly rate that the state pays low-barrier shelters. The bill would also direct the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to pursue a waiver to access federal Medicaid funds to serve unhoused people with substance use disorders, mental health disorders and older or disabled people with critical medical needs.

• Read more about Fay recognized for legislative work to improve the lives of older Mainers

AUGUSTA - Rep. Jessica Fay, D-Raymond, received the Advocate of the Year award from the Home Care and Hospice Alliance of Maine on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at the Blaine House for her extensive work to enhance the well-being, safety and care of older Mainers.

• Read more about Legislative leaders advance Russell's property tax relief proposal

AUGUSTA - The Legislative Council recently voted to advance a bill from Rep. Ron Russell, D-Verona Island, that would provide property tax relief to Mainers by expanding the existing Property Tax Fairness Credit.

• Read more about Legislative Council advances Madigan bill to improve transportation rules for MaineCare members

AUGUSTA - The Legislative Council recently approved a bill from Rep. Colleen Madigan, D-Waterville, that would make it easier for more MaineCare members to have a loved one accompany them to a medical appointment.

• Read more about Legislative Council advances Runte bill to continue electric utility reform

AUGUSTA - The Legislative Council recently approved a bill from Rep. Gerry Runte, D-York, that would address ratepayer dissatisfaction by enhancing performance-based ratemaking (PBR) for Maine's electric utilities, adding incentives or penalties for utilities that meet or fail to meet performance goals established by state regulators.

• Read more about Legislative Council advances Golek bill to support Section 8 housing voucher recipients

AUGUSTA - The Legislative Council approved a bill last week from Rep. Cheryl Golek, D-Harpswell, which would direct the Maine State Housing Authority (MSHA) to examine systemic difficulties in obtaining and utilizing low-income affordable housing vouchers and provide further support for Section 8 housing voucher recipients.

• Read more about Legislative Council advances Cloutier bills to support health care workforce

AUGUSTA - The Legislative Council voted earlier this month to advance two bill proposals sponsored by Rep. Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston, that would support the state's health care workforce by adding Maine to the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact and prohibiting the Maine Department of Health and Human Services from enforcing electronic visit verification practices among hospice care providers within the MaineCare program.

• Read more about Legislative Council advances Shaw bill to make it easier for more Mainers to grow their own food

AUGUSTA - The Legislative Council recently approved a bill from Rep. Kathy Shaw, D-Auburn, that would make it easier for more Mainers to grow their own food by exempting buildings used for the cultivation of crops, like permanent greenhouses, from the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code (MUBEC).

• Read more about Legislative Council advances Mastraccio bill to support shelters for the unhoused

AUGUSTA - The Legislative Council approved a bill Thursday from Rep. Anne-Marie Mastraccio, D-Sanford, that would increase the state's annual shelter operating subsidy from $2.5 million to $12.5 million.

• Read more about Legislative leaders advance Ankeles' property tax reassessment proposal

AUGUSTA - Legislative leaders voted to advance a proposal by Rep. Dan Ankeles, D-Brunswick, to address looming property tax reassessments across Maine that could accelerate gentrification and make it more difficult for families to afford to remain in their homes and communities.