• Read more about Speaker Fecteau, House Majority Leaders Dunphy and Talbot Ross react to Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade

AUGUSTA - Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, overturning the abortion rights affirmed in the case of Roe v. Wade. A draft opinion had been leaked to the press last month.

Speaker Fecteau D- Biddeford, House Majority Leader Michelle Dunphy D-Old Town, and Assistant Majority Leader Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, released the following statements in response the ruling:

• Read more about Roeder receives Maine AFL-CIO Edie Beaulieu Legislative Award

AUGUSTA - Rep. Amy Roeder, D-Bangor, received the Maine AFL-CIO's Edie Beaulieu Legislative Award Thursday night. Roeder is a member of three unions, serves on the Legislature's Labor and Housing Committee and successfully sponsored legislation to extend family medical leave to hourly school employees and enforce a provision that ensures accrued vacation time be paid to employees upon cessation of their work.

• Read more about Kittery holding Independence Day and 375th Anniversary Celebration

AUGUSTA - The town of Kittery will be holding an event to celebrate its 375th birthday as well as Independence Day on Saturday, June 25 at 9 AM. The celebration will include a reenactment of General William Whipple reading from the Declaration of Independence, the Piscataqua Rangers Jr. Fife and Drum Corps, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Color Guard and revolution-era reenactors from Captain Henry Dearborn's Company. Governor Janet Mills will also be in attendance.

• Read more about Sachs earns spot in 2022 Legislative Energy Horizon Institute

AUGUSTA - Rep. Melanie Sachs, D-Freeport, has been accepted to participate in the 2022 Legislative Energy Horizon Institute, a policy program that educates state legislators and policymakers on the North American energy infrastructure and delivery system.

Sachs was selected for one of only 40 available spots in the program nationally. Graduates will receive a certificate on energy policy planning from the University of Idaho.

• Read more about Cuddy issues statement on state allocation of $12.3 million for apprenticeships

AUGUSTA - Rep. Scott Cuddy, D-Winterport, issued the following statement in response to a recent announcement from Gov. Janet Mills that her administration will invest $12.3 million in grants to expand apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeship opportunities across the state as part of the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan to strengthen Maine's workforce.

• Read more about Maine Legislative leaders send letter to Starbucks CEO in support of Biddeford Starbucks workers

AUGUSTA - On Thursday, Maine Legislative leaders sent a letter in support of Biddeford Starbucks workers to the President and CEO of Starbucks, Howard Schultz.

The letter states:

"It has come to our attention that employees at Store #48490 in Biddeford, Maine are in the process of organizing a union with Starbucks Workers United. As state elected officials, we support our hardworking constituents and respect their right to form labor associations to represent their interests in the workplace.

• Read more about Maine state agency releases data on firearm deaths

AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Health and Human Services has released its first annual report on firearm deaths and hospitalizations. The report is the result of a measure introduced by Rep. Lori K. Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, which became law last year.

• Read more about To the Editor:

High energy costs and rising prices have hit Maine households hard. As state representative, my top priority has been to make sure we are helping Mainers during this difficult time. That's why I supported measures to provide relief to working people, retirees and families, including $850 direct relief payments.

The $850 direct relief checks are expected to begin hitting mailboxes this week, so I want to make sure my constituents have the eligibility information needed to qualify.

• Read more about Bill to establish green housing standards becomes law

AUGUSTA - A bill sponsored by Rep. Rebecca Millett, D-Cape Elizabeth, to codify green housing standards was recently signed into law by Gov. Janet Mills.

As amended, LD 1656, will increase Maine's energy-efficient affordable housing stock by requiring new construction projects funded by the Maine State Housing Authority to meet certain housing design standards and sustainability requirements.

• Read more about News from Augusta: Free day use at state parks

You may have heard in the news recently about the upcoming "Residents' Day" at Maine State Parks. Gov. Janet Mills has waived day use fees for Maine residents at our parks and historic sites on Sunday, June 19. This a great opportunity for families to enjoy the outdoors and maybe explore a park you've never been to before.