• Read more about Shining a spotlight on mental health resources in York County

With the Legislature in full swing, my colleagues and I are busy submitting legislation, offering testimony at public hearings and learning about various policy initiatives before the committees we are all assigned to serve on. I serve as House chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, and while issues relating to protecting our environment and precious shoreline remain one of my top priorities, my lifelong advocacy on behalf of children and mental health care also remains critically important to my work on your behalf in Augusta.

• Read more about Rana introduces bill to reduce traffic infraction fees

AUGUSTA - Rep. Ambureen Rana, D-Bangor, introduced legislation Thursday that would minimize fees imposed by the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles in cases of traffic infractions for those experiencing excessive financial hardship.

• Read more about Rana introduces bill to decrease eviction-based housing discrimination

AUGUSTA - Rep. Ambureen Rana, D-Bangor, introduced legislation Thursday that would prohibit landlords from asking prospective tenants about their eviction history in an effort to reduce housing discrimination.

• Read more about Transportation Committee approves White bill to require snow and ice removal from vehicles

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Transportation Committee voted unanimously of those present on Thursday to advance an amended version of LD 522, An Act to Require That Motor Vehicles Be Clear of Snow When Operated on Public Ways. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Bruce White, D-Waterville.

• Read more about Kessler introduces bill to increase notice period for rent increases

AUGUSTA - Rep. Chris Kessler, D-South Portland, presented LD 701, An Act to Increase the Notice Period for Rent Increases, before the Legislature's Judiciary Committee on Thursday.

The bill would increase the required notice for landlords to increase their tenants rents from 45 days to 90 days.

• Read more about Graham welcomes choir director David Myers-Wakeman to State House

Rep. Anne Graham, D-North Yarmouth, was joined at the State House on Thursday by friend and North Yarmouth Congressional Church Choir Director David Myers-Wakeman, who performed the national anthem prior to the opening of the legislative session.

Contact:

Brian Lee [Graham], c. 305-965-2744

Left to right: David Myers and Rep. Anne Graham.

• Read more about Legislature honors Hall-Dale Middle School Basketball Team

Reps. Karen Montell, D-Gardiner, Dan Shagoury, D-Hallowell, and Michael Lemelin, R-Chelsea, and Senator Craig Hickman, D-Winthrop, welcomed the Hall-Dale Middle School Girls Basketball Team to the State House on Thursday.

The team was recognized by the Maine House of Representatives for winning the 2023 Capital Area League Championship.

Contact:

Brian Lee [Montell, Shagoury], 305-965-2744Lisa Haberzettl [Hickman], 207-251-3548John Bott [Lemelin], 207-287-1440

• Read more about Sen. Brenner, Rep. Gramlich release statement on progress regarding PFAS sludge disposal

AUGUSTA - On Wednesday, the Legislature's Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee heard from Casella Waste Systems and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regarding the disposal of PFAS-contaminated biosolids, or "sludge," in Maine. Committee co-chairs Sen. Stacy Brenner, D-Scarborough, and Rep. Lori Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, scheduled the briefing and called Casella and DEP to present to ENR, to get all parties around the table and find a path forward.

• Read more about Zager introduces bill to improve low-income individuals' access to credit

AUGUSTA - Rep. Sam Zager, D-Portland, has proposed bipartisan legislation to create a new pilot project that would improve fair access to housing by helping low-income individuals establish or improve credit.

LD 1107 would create a two-year pilot program at the Maine State Housing Authority to connect renters' favorable payment history to the databases of national credit agencies, such as Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, on a voluntary basis.

• Read more about Stover recognized as an Outstanding Woman of 2023

AUGUSTA - Rep. Holly Stover, D-Boothbay, was recognized this week as one of 20 Outstanding Women in 2023 for her work as the director of the Boothbay Region Community Resource Council and with Lincoln County Dental, a low-income dental program.

Coast 93.1 and Hannaford Supermarkets offer this recognition to women from around Maine who go above and beyond to improve their communities.