• Read more about This Teacher Appreciation Week, educators deserve support from lawmakers

Maine's teachers go above and beyond every day to help our kids succeed. They are the glue that holds our schools together, and they deserve our support.

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week, a time when we should be celebrating educators and recommitting to giving them the tools they need to do their jobs well. Instead, at the State House, we are hearing extreme proposals that hurt our students and demoralize our school staff.

• Read more about Hasenfus introduces bill to support Maine students

AUGUSTA - Rep. Tavis Hasenfus, D-Winthrop, introduced legislation Wednesday to support students and families with superintendent transfer agreements by making the agreements automatically renew each year.

• Read more about Lewiston legislators welcome Youth of the Year to the State House

Reps. Kristen Cloutier and Margaret Craven, both D-Lewiston, welcomed Deanna Tabor, Youth of the Year for the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Maine Auburn/Lewiston, to the State House on Thursday.

Contact:

Brian Lee [Cloutier, Craven], 305-965-2744

• Read more about Governor signs Ankeles bill opening the door for improved infrastructure funding on Brunswick Landing

AUGUSTA - A bill from Rep. Dan Ankeles, D-Brunswick, that will protect natural resources from storm water runoff by empowering local authorities to invest in infrastructure repairs on the former Brunswick Naval Air Station is now law.

• Read more about House enacts Hobbs bill to study providing more on-campus housing at community colleges

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted Thursday to enact LD 830, sponsored by Rep. Daniel J. Hobbs, D-Wells, which would direct the Maine Community College System to study providing more housing on its campuses.

• Read more about Roberts introduces legislation to help reduce student chronic absenteeism and dropout rates

AUGUSTA - Rep. Tiffany Roberts, D-South Berwick, presented two pieces of legislation Tuesday at public hearings before the Legislature's Education and Cultural Affairs Committee that would provide proactive and strategic approaches to addressing chronic absenteeism and ensuring that students who have experienced educational disruptions have stability and support.

• Read more about Lawmakers welcome first female wrestler to win a state title in a co-ed tournament to State House

Reps. Valli Geiger, D-Rockland, Ann Matlack, D-St. George, and Speaker of the House Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, welcomed Maddie Ripley and her family to the State House on Thursday. Ripley is the first female wrestler to win a state title in a co-ed tournament.

Contact:

Brian Lee [Geiger, Matlack], c. 305-965-2744
Mary-Erin Casale [Talbot Ross], c. 415-4965

Left to right: Rep. Valli Geiger, Gavin Ripley, Jason Yates, Speaker of the House Rachel Talbot Ross, Maddie Ripley, Daphne Ripley and Rep. Ann Matlack.

• Read more about Local legislators welcome Youth of the Year to the State House

Reps. Karen Montell, D-Gardiner, and Dan Shagoury, D-Hallowell, welcomed Dillon Elliott, Youth of the Year for the Boys and Girls Club of Kennebec Valley, to the State House on Thursday.

Contact:

Brian Lee [Montell, Shagoury], 305-965-2744

• Read more about Committee advances Stover legislation to increase monthly SNAP allotments

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee voted Tuesday to advance legislation sponsored by Rep. Holly Stover, D-Boothbay, that would bolster monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) allotments to replace the temporary boosts provided as a federal emergency measure.

• Read more about Local leadership program names O'Connell award recipient

AUGUSTA - Rep. Kevin O'Connell, D-Brewer, has been awarded the 2023 G. Clifton Eames Leadership Award from the Bangor Regional Leadership Institute (BRLI).

"To be awarded something named after Clif is an absolute honor," said O'Connell. "He set the bar for what it truly means to be a leader, and I will continue to work hard to be the leader that Brewer and our surrounding communities deserve."