AUGUSTA - Rep. Nicole Grohoski, D-Ellsworth, and Rep. Genevieve McDonald, D-Stonington, have been appointed to serve in support of the Maine Climate Council.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Mo Terry, D-Gorham, introduced a bill that creates a funding mechanism to support hunger relief before the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation on Friday.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Teresa S. Pierce, D-Falmouth, will introduce a proposal on Monday that would allow eligible Mainers to register to vote using a secure online portal.

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Judiciary Committee voted Thursday to advance a measure by Rep. Lori Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, which would help more Maine children receive the behavioral health care they need. The vote was 7-5.

AUGUSTA - Today, Governor Janet T. Mills signed a responsible biennial budget into law. The Back-to-Basics Budget provides critical funding for schools, property tax relief, health care, nursing homes and other essential services over the next two years.

Presiding Officers and Chairs of the Legislature's Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee released the following statements praising the budget and outlining the work that lies ahead:

AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature has unanimously enacted a bill that would restore state benefits to Maine veterans who separated from service without an honorable discharge due solely to the veteran's sexual orientation or gender identity.

"I am grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their support on this bill," said Wood. "Our veterans, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, served our country and should qualify for the benefits their fellow service members have access to."

AUGUSTA - Today, the Maine Legislature adopted a responsible biennial budget that provides critical funding for schools, property tax relief, rural health care and nursing homes in a vote of 77-67 in the House and 20-14 in the Senate. The Back-to-Basic Budget is a continuation of the bipartisan biennial budget that earned two-thirds support in both chambers in 2019. The budget will now go to the Governor's desk to be signed into law.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Donna Doore, D-Augusta, issued the following statement following the Maine House's vote to advance the "Back-to-Basics" Budget:

AUGUSTA- Rep. Scott Cuddy, D-Winterport, released the following statement on the Legislature's passage of the "Back-to-Basics" Budget on Tuesday:

AUGUSTA- Rep. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham, House chair of the Legislature's Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, issued the following statement in support of the Maine House advancing the "Back-to-Basics" Budget: