• Read more about Committee advances McDonald's bill decriminalizing hypodermic syringes with bipartisan vote

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee gave strong support last Friday to a bill that would decriminalize possession of hypodermic syringes, improving public health and ensuring more Mainers with substance use disorder can access treatment rather than enter the criminal justice system. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Genevieve McDonald, D-Stonington, earned an 11-1 vote with one member absent.

• Read more about Zeigler measure receives unanimous support from committee

AUGUSTA - A bill from Rep. Paige Zeigler, D-Montville, to increase the membership of the Lincolnville Sewer District Board of Trustees from three members to five received unanimous support from the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee on Thursday.

"I want to thank my colleagues on the committee for their support of this bill," said Zeigler. "The board does a lot of work on behalf of their residents, and it is my hope that they will have a couple more hands to lighten the load and conduct business should this bill become law."

• Read more about Committee gives bipartisan approval to Fay's bill regarding Maine's essential support workforce

AUGUSTA - Legislation sponsored by Rep. Jessica Fay, D-Raymond, to address Maine's essential support workforce, also known as the direct care workforce, received bipartisan approval from the Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday. All members present voted in favor of the measure.

• Read more about Dental care is health care. Mainers need access to it.

By Rep. Lori K. Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, and Dr. Steve Mills, ScarboroughFor over a year, the pandemic has shown us how public health policies can create a domino effect, impacting families, schools and the entire economy. We have also seen how good public health policy, such as prioritizing the COVID-19 vaccination rollout, has saved lives, gotten people back to work and allowed us to safely hug our loved ones again. But for decades, we have been seeing the negative impacts of an area of public health that has not been prioritized here in Maine, and that's dental care.

• Read more about Grohoski introduces bill to improve access to property tax exemptions for new homeowners

AUGUSTA - Rep. Nicole Grohoski, D-Ellsworth, introduced LD 1482 before the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation on Tuesday. The measure removes the current 12-month wait time necessary to qualify for the Homestead Property Tax Exemption.

• Read more about Talbot Ross introduces bill to bolster Homestead Property Tax Exemption

AUGUSTA - Assistant House Majority Leader Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, introduced a bill on Tuesday to increase state reimbursement to municipalities for the existing Homestead Property Tax Exemption Program.

"The Homestead Exemption is one of our most important property tax relief programs, but it could be much more powerful with increased support from the state. Strengthening the Homestead Exemption would help Mainers, especially working families and older residents, afford to stay in their homes," said Talbot Ross.

• Read more about Warren introduces bill to strengthen mental health services

AUGUSTA - Rep. Charlotte Warren, D-Hallowell, introduced legislation to strengthen statewide mental health services, including mobile response services, before the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services on Monday.

• Read more about Bill to expand dental care to 70,000+ Mainers sponsored by Speaker Fecteau clears committee with bipartisan support

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee unanimously voted to advance a bill from House Speaker Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford Tuesday. The bill shifts Maines reliance on emergency-only dental coverage to a preventative dental care model to improve health outcomes and save the state money over time.

• Read more about Zeigler presents bill on behalf of Lincolnville Sewer District Board of Trustees

AUGUSTA -Rep. Paige Zeigler, D-Montville, introduced a bill Tuesday that would increase the membership of the Lincolnville Sewer District Board of Trustees from three members to five.

LD 1625 came at the request of the chair of the Board of Trustees, Paul Lippman, who shared with Zeigler the difficulty in finding trustees, the amount of work the board handles and why two additional members would be beneficial for all.

• Read more about Landry's proposal would give towns more say in projects like CMP corridor

AUGUSTA - A bill introduced by Rep. Scott Landry, D-Farmington, before the Legislature's Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee on Tuesday would give towns more say in projects like the controversial CMP corridor.