• 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.

• Read more about House advances Morales proposal to improve housing stability

AUGUSTA - A proposal by Rep. Victoria Morales, D-South Portland, to create a state-level rental assistance program earned initial approval Wednesday in the Maine House. The vote was 82-61.

• Read more about Legislature gives unanimous initial approval to Bell bill to evaluate untapped potential of dormant rail corridors

AUGUSTA - The Legislature gave unanimous initial approval Tuesday to a measure from Rep. Art Bell, D-Yarmouth, that would help determine the untapped potential of dormant rail corridors across the state.

• Read more about House advances proposed educational requirements for African American, Holocaust studies

AUGUSTA - The Maine House voted Tuesday to advance a measure by Assistant House Majority Leader Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, that would incorporate African American studies into Maine's statewide learning standards. As amended, the bill includes proposals introduced by Sen. Louie Luchini, D-Ellsworth, to also require the study of genocide and the Holocaust. The vote was 106-38.

• Read more about House enacts bill to strengthen lead testing in school drinking water

AUGUSTA - A bill to strengthen lead testing in school drinking water received unanimous support Monday from the Maine House of Representatives.

LD 206 amends state rules to decrease the standard for lead in school drinking water from 15 parts per billion (ppb) to 4 ppb and requires schools to share results with the public within five days.

• Read more about Legislature approves Gere proposal to address incidents of bias, discrimination and harassment in Maine schools

AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature gave initial approval Tuesday to legislation from Rep. Traci Gere, D-Kennebunkport, that would plan for a new state-level position to help address incidents of bias, discrimination and harassment in Maine's public schools. The House vote was 81-62, and the Senate approved the measure by unanimous consent.

• Read more about House advances Millett bill to increase CTE region educators' salaries

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives gave initial approval Monday to a measure sponsored by Rep. Rebecca Millett, D-Cape Elizabeth, to include more career and technical education (CTE) teachers in the minimum $40,000 salary initiative.

• Read more about House advances Talbot Ross measure to bridge Maine's "digital divide"

AUGUSTA - The Maine House voted Monday to advance a measure by Assistant House Majority Leader Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, which aims to bridge Maine's "digital divide" between those with internet access and those without. The vote was 84-61.

LD 1555 would dedicate $15 million to help marginalized groups access the internet. The ConnectMaine Authority would oversee the use of those funds in consultation with stakeholder groups.

• Read more about House gives unanimous support to Kessler bill to accelerate weatherization efforts

AUGUSTA - The Maine House gave unanimous initial approval Monday to a measure from Rep. Chris Kessler, D-South Portland, that would accelerate Maine's efforts to weatherize homes and businesses and increase the number of low-income households that would qualify for weatherization assistance.

• Read more about Cloutier bill to grow Maine's workforce receives bipartisan votes

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives gave bipartisan approval Monday to a measure sponsored by Rep. Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston, to grow Maine's workforce by simplifying the licensure process for out-of-state license holders.