• Read more about ICYMI: Affordable Housing Legislation sponsored by Speaker Fecteau clears committee with bipartisan support

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Committee on Labor and Housing unanimously voted to advance a bill from House Speaker Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford on Friday. The bill aims to pave 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" would establish a commission to review barriers to producing more affordable housing in Maine.

• Read more about Back-to-Basics Budget clears committee

AUGUSTA - Today, the Legislature's Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee approved the "Back-to-Basics" budget in a vote of 8-4. The proposal will go before the full Legislature for a two-thirds vote at the Augusta Civic Center on Tuesday, March 30. Republicans did not offer an alternative budget proposal.

• Read more about House majority leaders issue statement following Taxation Committee incidents

AUGUSTA - House Majority Leader Michelle Dunphy, D-Old Town, and Assistant House Majority Leader Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, have released a joint statement in response to the actions of Rep. Bruce Bickford, R-Auburn, in the Legislature's Taxation Committee:

• Read more about COVID-19 Patient Bill of Rights becomes law

AUGUSTA - A bill from Senate President Troy Jackson of Allagash and House Speaker Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford to establish a COVID-19 Patient Bill of Rights became law without the governor's signature on Wednesday.

• Read more about McCreight reintroduces safe marine flare disposal bill

AUGUSTA - Rep. Jay McCreight, D-Harpswell, reintroduced her bill providing for the safe disposal of expired marine flares at a public hearing before the Legislature's Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee on Wednesday.

• Read more about Unemployment insurance system report unveiled, Speaker Fecteau proposes reform

AUGUSTA - In a press conference today, University of Maine Professor Sandra Butler unveiled a report that underscores the need for Maine to update the unemployment insurance system to reflect the structure of today's economy and workforce. Impacted workers described their experience navigating Maines unemployment insurance system and Speaker Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford outlined the need for reform.

• Read more about Committee advances Sylvester's bill to create new models for manufacturing employment and education

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Education and Cultural Affairs Committee voted to advance a bill sponsored by Rep. Mike Sylvester, D-Portland, on Monday that would call on the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Council to coordinate the development of higher education programs and public-private partnerships to enhance education and employment opportunities in STEM fields.

• Read more about Roberts presents bill to fund veteran mental health services, supported by Golden

AUGUSTA - Rep. Tiffany Roberts, D-South Berwick, presented LD 693, An Act To Make the Pilot Program Providing Mental Health Case Management Services to Veterans a Permanent Program, before the Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs on Monday. Congressman Jared Golden, who represents Maine's 2nd Congressional District, submitted written testimony in support of the bill.

• Read more about Presiding Officers, Budget Chairs announce "Back-to-Basics" Budget

AUGUSTA - Today, Senate President Troy Jackson of Allagash, House Speaker Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford, Senator Cathy Breen of Falmouth, and Representative Teresa Pierce of Falmouth, proposed the "Back-to-Basics" Biennial Budget in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under this proposal, the Legislature's Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee would vote out a smart, responsible biennial budget that pays the bills and funds existing services by the end of the week to provide Maine people, schools and businesses with stability as the economy reopens.

• Read more about Speaker Fecteau introduces bill to grow affordable housing in Maine

AUGUSTA - A bill from Speaker Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford that could pave the way for more affordable housing in Maine will be introduced Monday. L.D. 609, "Resolve, To Establish a Commission To Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions" would establish a commission to review barriers to producing more affordable housing in Maine.