AUGUSTA - A majority of the Legislature's Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee voted on Wednesday to advance a bill sponsored by Rep. Amy Kuhn, D-Falmouth, that would strengthen protections for health care providers so that they may offer abortion care for people traveling to Maine without threats to their ability to practice medicine.

AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services voted unanimously Thursday to advance LD 1522, sponsored by Rep. Jessica Fay, D-Raymond, that would increase eligibility for Medicare Savings Programs for low- and fixed-income older Mainers.

AUGUSTA - Gov. Janet Mills recently signed into law legislation sponsored by Rep. Morgan Rielly, D-Westbrook, that would expand the language of working waterfront covenants to include nonprofit corporations and charitable trusts that are authorized to hold conservation easements, further protecting Maine's last remaining miles of working waterfront.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston, introduced legislation Tuesday before the Legislature's Education and Cultural Affairs Committee that would require public schools serving sixth through 12th grades to provide menstrual products to students in school bathrooms.

AUGUSTA - The Maine House gave final approval Thursday to a measure by Rep. Lori K. Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, that will strengthen efforts to restore sand dunes on Maine beaches. The bill was enacted "under the hammer," or by unanimous consent.

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives gave initial approval Thursday to a bill sponsored by Rep. Anne-Marie Mastraccio, D-Sanford, which would increase access to oral health care by expanding the Maine Dental Education Loan Program.

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Labor and Housing Committee voted unanimously on Wednesday to move forward a measure from Rep. Kelly Noonan Murphy, D-Scarborough, to protect Maine workers who are caring for a sick grandparent or great-grandparent.

AUGUSTA - On Tuesday, a majority of the Legislature's Judiciary Committee voted to advance legislation from Rep. Nina Milliken, D-Blue Hill, that would create a civil cause of action in Maine law for victims of non-consensual condom removal, colloquially known as "stealthing."

AUGUSTA - Rep. Drew Gattine, D-Westbrook, introduced a measure on Monday before the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee that would establish a homeless substance use disorder service program.

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.