AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business Committee voted Friday to advance legislation sponsored by Rep. Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston, that would change the Foreign Credentialing and Skills Recognition Revolving Loan Program to a grant program and increase the maximum allowable distribution of funds to eligible immigrants from the current $700 to $1,000.

AUGUSTA - Today, Rep. Michael Brennan, D-Portland, introduced LD 1422 before the Legislature's Housing Committee, which would establish a formal pathway for coordination between Maine's public school system and the Maine State Housing Authority (MSHA) via a voucher program, which would allow both entities to better serve Maine students who are experiencing homelessness.

Rep. Dan Shagoury welcomed West Gardiner resident Gary Crocker to the State House on Tuesday. Crocker performed the national anthem in the chamber of the House of Representatives at the start of the day's session.

Contact:

Brian Lee [Shagoury], 305-965-2744

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee voted unanimously on Thursday in support of legislation sponsored by Rep. Jessica Fay, D-Raymond, that would allow the parents of children with disabilities who are MaineCare eligible to be paid to provide personal care services.

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business Committee voted Friday to advance a measure from Rep. Dan Ankeles, D-Brunswick, that would establish a long-term plan for replacing aging infrastructure on the former Brunswick Naval Air Station, commonly known as Brunswick Landing. The vote was 9-0 with four members absent. The absent committee members have until Tuesday at noon to cast their votes.

AUGUSTA - Today, Rep. Michael Brennan, D-Portland, introduced LD 1161 before the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee, which would provide $500,000 in funding over the next two years to Maines free clinics, distributed by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Ron Russell, D-Verona Island, will hold constituent office hours on Sunday, April 23, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Penobscot Community School. All are welcome and appointments are not necessary.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Colleen Madigan, D-Waterville, and Sen. Dave LaFountain, D-Winslow, will hold office hours at Jorgensen's Caf and Deli in Waterville on Saturday, April 15, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

These office hours provide constituents with an opportunity to hear updates from Augusta, ask questions about policymaking and share opinions on state matters. Office hours also serve as an opportunity for residents navigating state agencies to voice concerns.

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's State and Local Government Committee voted to advance legislation last week sponsored by Rep. Sean Paulhus, D-Bath, to adopt Maine's original flag from 1901 as the state's official flag.

The flag, an image of a blue-colored north star over a lone pine tree on a buff-colored background, was the official flag of Maine from 1901 until 1909, when it was replaced by Maine's current flag.

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee voted Tuesday to advance a bill sponsored by Rep. Colleen Madigan, D-Waterville, that would examine options for creating a substance use disorder hotline for health care providers.