AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Joint Select Committee on Housing voted with unanimous support for legislation sponsored by Rep. Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston, to expand affordable housing.

The bill would amend the Maine Cooperative Affordable Housing Ownership Act to include group equity cooperatives. It would also provide that a housing assistance program must be made reasonably available to residents of housing cooperatives.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Rebecca Millett, D-Cape Elizabeth, and supporters of a measure calling for action on climate change will hold a press conference in the State House Welcome Center tomorrow, Jan. 18, at noon.

The Joint Resolution, sponsored by Millett, calls on Congress to support a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty. The Maine House is expected to take up the measure tomorrow.

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee voted Wednesday to advance a proposal by Rep. Lori Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, to increase behavioral health support for Maine's first responders. The vote was unanimous among committee members present.

AUGUSTA - On Tuesday, Maine's Legislative Council voted to advance a bill from Rep. Poppy Arford, D-Brunswick, that would help more Mainers access birth control by requiring state-regulated health insurance plans to cover over-the-counter contraceptives.

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee voted Monday to advance legislation sponsored by Rep. Dan Sayre, D-Kennebunk, to strengthen the support system for people reentering society from incarceration.

Majority Leader Mo Terry, D-Gorham, Assistant Majority Leader Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston, and Speaker of the House Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, welcomed Senate Chair Mark Daly of Ireland to the State House on Thursday. Daly presented members of the American Irish State Legislators Caucus with a certificate recognizing the continuing relationship between the United States and Ireland.

Left to right: Rep. Kristen Cloutier, Sen. Mark Daly of Ireland, House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross and Rep. Mo Terry.

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AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee voted Monday to advance legislation sponsored by Rep. Dan Sayre, D-Kennebunk, to strengthen the support system for people reentering society from incarceration.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston, introduced legislation Tuesday that would add Maine to the Compact for Licensing Physician Assistants (PAs), which would allow licensed PAs to practice in member states without having to obtain a new license for each state.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Lydia Crafts, D-Newcastle, introduced legislation Tuesday before the Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Businesses Committee that would better protect Maine consumers by requiring electronics manufacturers to provide information about how fixable their products are through a repairability score.

AUGUSTA - On Wednesday, a bill from Rep. Laura Supica, D-Bangor, LD 1777, had a public hearing before the Legislature's Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee. The bill would help establish greater economic opportunity for the Wabanaki Nations by authorizing each federally recognized Indian nation, tribe or band in Maine to operate internet gaming, opening up new a revenue stream.