• Read more about Roeder bill to better support Mainers in foster care receives initial legislative approval

AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature gave initial approval on Wednesday to a measure sponsored by Rep. Amy Roeder, D-Bangor, which would help ensure that the state reserves survivors benefits for Maine's foster youth, rather than spending those benefits on the cost of their foster care. Additionally, the bill would provide better financial literacy education and support to foster youth, which would help them understand and navigate their benefits when they age out of the system.

• Read more about Winthrop scholarship winner honored by lawmakers

Rep. Tavis Hasenfus, D-Winthrop, and fellow legislators welcomed Brooke Belz, of Winthrop, and her parents to the State House on Wednesday, March 27. Belz was awarded the 2024 Legislative Memorial Scholarship for Kennebec County.

Contact:

Brian Lee [Hasenfus], 305-965-2744

Front row, left to right: Rep. Tavis Hasenfus, Darryl Belz, House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, Brooke Belz, Rep. Morgan Rielly, D-Westbrook, Susan Belz.
Back row: Rep. Kathy Javner, R-Chester.

• Read more about Legislature honors Cony High School Basketball team

Rep. Raegan LaRochelle, D-Augusta, Rep. Bill Bridgeo, D-Augusta, and Sen. Matthew Pouliot, R-Kennebec, welcomed members of the Cony High School Girls' Basketball Team to the State House on Monday and presented them with a legislative sentiment.

The team was recognized by the Legislature for winning the Class A North Championship on Feb. 23.

Contact:

Brian Lee [LaRochelle], c. 305-965-2744

• Read more about Arford bill to improve health care price transparency signed into law

AUGUSTA - Legislation sponsored by Rep. Poppy Arford, D-Brunswick, that would require health care entities and private insurers to provide patients with an estimated cost of their health care services, was signed into law on Tuesday, April 2.

• Read more about House approves Geiger bill to increase access to justice for sexual assault survivors

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives gave initial approval on Tuesday to a measure sponsored by Rep. Valli Geiger, D-Rockland, that would increase access to justice for survivors of sexual assault by establishing a statewide sexual assault forensic examination kit tracking system.

• Read more about Westbrook legislators welcome the Westbrook High School Chamber Singers, jazz students and top seniors to the State House

AUGUSTA - Westbrook Reps. Morgan Rielly, Sue Salisbury and Drew Gattine, as well as Sens. Jill Duson, D-Portland, and Tim Nangle, D-Windham, welcomed the Westbrook High School Chamber Singers to the State House on Tuesday.

• Read more about LaRochelle welcomes St. Michael School student group to State House

Rep. Raegan LaRochelle, D-Augusta, welcomed students and staff of the St. Michael School in Augusta to the State House on Tuesday. Ella Beyea and Kya Douin of Augusta performed the national anthem in the chamber of the House of Representatives at the start of the day's session.

Contact:

Brian Lee [LaRochelle], c. 305-965-2744

Left to right: Sharon Murray (far left), Rep. Raegan LaRochelle (second from left), Kya Douin (back, far left), Ella Beyea (third from left) and John Hickey (far right).

• Read more about Legislature unanimously approves Meyer bill to increase TANF benefits for low-income families

AUGUSTA - This week, the Legislature gave initial, unanimous approval to a measure sponsored by Rep. Michele Meyer, D-Eliot, that would bolster the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program's monthly benefit level to better support Maine families and communities across the state.

• Read more about Sen. Bailey, Rep. Gramlich applaud governor's proposal to support mobile home park residents

AUGUSTA - On Friday, Gov. Janet Mills unveiled her budget change package, which proposes to create a new fund to support the purchase of mobile home parks by their residents.

• Read more about Mastraccio bill to support Maine shelters approved by Legislature

AUGUSTA - Legislation sponsored by Rep. Anne-Marie Mastraccio, D-Sanford, that would increase funding for homeless shelters in Maine, received unanimous approval from the Maine Legislature on Thursday.

The bill would allocate $10 million for ongoing funding for all shelters across the state and an additional $2.5 million for ongoing funding to increase the nightly rate the state pays to low-barrier shelters.