By Rep. Ellie Sato
With the second session of the 132nd Legislature in full swing, my colleagues and I have begun working on the supplemental budget – changes to the two-year budget the Legislature passed last year. This budget is one of the most important pieces of legislation in the second session, and it will play a critical role in shaping the direction of our state in the near future.
AUGUSTA – A measure sponsored by Rep. Dan Ankeles, D-Brunswick, to help protect drinking water from toxins received bipartisan support in an initial vote in the Maine House and Senate. The vote in the House was unanimous and the vote in the Senate was 21 to 13.
AUGUSTA – Today, a measure sponsored by Rep. Kilton Webb, D-Durham, to help lower electricity costs for Maine families received unanimous, bipartisan support in an initial vote in the Maine House of Representatives.
LD 2078 would create a sales tax exemption on all electricity sold and delivered to residential homes in Maine. Under current state law, only the first 750kw of electricity delivered to homes each month is exempt from sales tax.
AUGUSTA – Last Wednesday, the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee voted to advance legislation sponsored by Rep. Ellie Sato, D-Gorham, that will provide clarity for employees at public libraries, schools and the Dorothea Dix and Riverview Psychiatric Centers that they cannot provide non-public documentation to law enforcement officers, including U.S.
AUGUSTA – On Tuesday, Rep. Julie McCabe, D-Lewiston, introduced a measure before the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee that would help prevent the effects of cybersecurity attacks on Maine hospitals and ensure continuity of patient care when future cyberattacks occur.
Rep. Scott Harriman is serving his first term in the Maine House of Representatives, where he represents part of Lewiston. A lifelong Mainer, Harriman grew up on a dairy farm, an upbringing that instilled in him a deep appreciation for hard work and community.
Right now, the cost to live, work and raise a family in Maine is too high. That’s especially true here in Lincoln County. Family budgets just don’t go as far as they used to, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult for everyday Mainers to get ahead, no matter how hard they work. It shouldn’t be this way.
AUGUSTA – On Tuesday, Rep. Amy Kuhn, D-Falmouth, presented a measure before the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services committee to clarify when and how Maine licensed health care providers can employ artificial intelligence (AI) in therapeutic settings.
AUGUSTA – A majority of the Legislature’s Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee voted Tuesday to advance legislation sponsored by Rep. Sally Cluchey, D-Bowdoinham, that would protect and expand access to vaccines in Maine.
