• Read more about Arford shelter funding proposal earns initial approval

AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature voted this week to advance a proposal from Rep. Poppy Arford, D-Brunswick, to provide much-needed funding for capital projects at Maine's emergency shelters for people experiencing homelessness.

"When Mainers are facing homelessness, 24-hour shelters are crucial to keeping them safe and helping them access the services they need to secure stable housing. But our shelters, like Tedford Housing, are struggling to meet the need," said Arford. "This bill is needed to increase capacity for emergency shelter in our state."

• Read more about House advances Doudera bill to reduce child access to loaded firearms

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted Thursday to advance a measure sponsored by Rep. Vicki Doudera, D-Camden, to protect Maine children from death and injury from loaded firearms. The measure, LD 759, would amend the child endangerment laws to include unauthorized access to firearms. The vote was 77-67.

• Read more about Morales proposal to address chronic homelessness signed into law

AUGUSTA - A proposal by Rep. Victoria Morales, D-South Portland, to provide stable housing and community services to Mainers experiencing chronic homelessness was signed into law by Gov. Janet Mills on Tuesday.

"This proposal is about breaking the cycle of homelessness and crisis among those who are most frequently utilizing expensive emergency services. The way to accomplish this is to create a supportive housing framework that provides stability and increases access to services," said Morales, who leads a working group of lawmakers focused on housing policy.

• Read more about Mills signs Rielly bill to study the establishment of the Maine Climate Corps into law

AUGUSTA - A bill to look into establishing the Maine Climate Corps, LD 722, sponsored by Rep. Morgan Rielly, D-Westbrook, was signed into law Tuesday by Gov. Janet Mills.

• Read more about Affordable Housing Legislation sponsored by Speaker Fecteau passed by the Legislature, to be sent to the Governor's Desk

AUGUSTA - The Maine Senate voted to pass a bill from House Speaker Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford Thursday. The bill paves the way for more affordable housing in Maine. LD 609, Resolve, To Establish a Commission To Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions will establish a commission to review barriers to producing more affordable housing in Maine.

• Read more about House advances Pierce bill to implement online voter registration

AUGUSTA - The Maine House voted Wednesday to advance a bill by Rep. Teresa S. Pierce, D-Falmouth, that would allow eligible Mainers to register to vote using a secure online portal. The vote was 81-61.

• Read more about Legislature approves McCreight bill increasing voter access

AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature gave initial approval this week to a bill from Rep. Jay McCreight, D-Harpswell, that would increase voter access to the ballot and provide clearer guidance to municipal officials overseeing elections. The vote in the House was 79-58, and the vote in the Senate was 22-12.

• Read more about Legislature advances Tepler bill to provide menstrual products in schools

AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature unanimously voted Wednesday to pass a measure sponsored by Rep. Denise Tepler, D-Topsham, that would require certain schools to provide free menstrual products to students.

• Read more about Maine House unanimously enacts Gere proposal to track economic and social progress

AUGUSTA - The Maine House gave unanimous final approval Wednesday to legislation from Rep. Traci Gere, D-Kennebunkport, that would create better, more accessible measurements of economic and social progress.

• Read more about Blume joins legislators from 18 states to form Coastal Working Group to advance ocean climate policy

AUGUSTA - Rep. Lydia Blume, D- York, joined state legislators from 18 states Monday to form the Coastal Working Group. This group will allow state legislators to share ocean-based solutions to the climate crisis and policies to protect coastal communities.

"As our country's coastal communities start to react to and plan for the impacts of climate change, state legislatures need to act to protect our communities without hurting our all-important coastal environments," said Blume.