• Read more about Legislature clears path for Maine municipalities to receive federal pandemic aid

AUGUSTA - On Wednesday, the Legislature passed a bill from Sen. Cathy Breen, D-Falmouth, that clears a path for Maine municipalities to access federal funds and rebuild in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. LD 1507, An Act To Establish a Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Program and Allocation sets up an account for the state to receive and disburse federal funds for municipalities from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) aid package.

• Read more about House advances Grohoski's bill to protect bees

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to advance a measure sponsored by Rep. Nicole Grohoski, D-Ellsworth, that would prohibit the use of certain neonicotinoid pesticides for outdoor residential use.

• Read more about Committee unanimously approves Osher's bill to incentivize soil carbon storage

AUGUSTA - A bill sponsored by Rep. Laurie Osher, D-Orono, to incentivize soil carbon storage received unanimous support this week from the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee.

• Read more about House passes resolution recognizing Maine's housing crisis

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to pass a bipartisan joint resolution recognizing the struggle of Maine residents with housing costs and the inadequacy of Maine's housing stock. The resolution, sponsored Rep. Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston, states that Maines shortage of affordable housing has a direct impact on the health and welfare of Maine people.

• Read more about Hepler introduces bill to expand access to student loan tax credit

AUGUSTA - Rep. Allison Hepler, D-Woolwich, introduced LD 977, An Act Regarding the Maine Educational Opportunity Tax Credit, before the Taxation Committee on Tuesday. .

• Read more about Pierce's online voter registration proposal advances

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee voted Monday 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.

• Read more about Committee advances Millett's bill to protect employee workplace rights

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Labor and Housing Committee voted on Monday to advance a bill sponsored by Rep. Rebecca Millett, D-Cape Elizabeth, that would protect an employee's right to paid time off.

• Read more about Budget Chairs respond to new revenue report

AUGUSTA - Today, Maine's Revenue Forecasting Committee announced that Maine's General Fund will exceed original estimates by an estimated $461.9 million in the current budget cycle which ends June 2021. The full report will be available online here.

The Chairs of the Legislature's Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee released the statements in response to the revised report.

• Read more about Legislation to expand dental care in Maine gets broad, bipartisan support at public hearing

AUGUSTA - On Monday, Speaker Ryan Fecteau unveiled a bill aimed at expanding access to dental care in Maine: LD 996, An Act To Improve Dental Health Access for Maine Children and Adults with Low Incomes. This bill received support from public health experts and economists as a smart investment that would improve the health of Maine's people and save the state money.

• Read more about Legislators to hold press conference on Maine's housing crisis

AUGUSTA - Members of the Legislature's Housing Working Group will host an in-person press conference on Tuesday, April 27 at 11 a.m. to discuss the urgency of addressing Maines housing crisis. The press conference will be held outside of the Maine State House in Augusta.