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.

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.

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.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Nicole Grohoski, D-Ellsworth, will host a virtual "Coffee with Constituents" event via Zoom on Saturday, March 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. These monthly events are an opportunity for constituents from Ellsworth and Trenton to ask questions, share concerns and ideas and otherwise just connect.

AUGUSTA - Legislation sponsored by Rep. Denise Tepler, D-Topsham, was signed into law by Gov. Mills on Wednesday.

AUGUSTA- A bill sponsored by Assistant House Majority Leader Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, to give the Legislature the ability to assess the racial impact of pending legislation was signed by Gov. Janet T. Mills on Wednesday.

LD 2, "An Act To Require the Inclusion of Racial Impact Statements in the Legislative Process," creates a process of reviewing legislation to evaluate the impact it would have on historically disadvantaged racial populations.

AUGUSTA- The Legislature's Environment and Natural Resources Committee will hold a public hearing on a bill to define intentional balloon releases as an act of littering. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Genevieve McDonald, D-Stonington, addresses an issue that fishermen have wrestled with under the radar for years.

AUGUSTA - The Joint Standing Committee on Labor and Housing voted to advance a bill sponsored by Rep. Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston, that would support emergency shelters for persons experiencing homelessness.

AUGUSTA - During a public hearing Wednesday, survivors of childhood sexual abuse spoke in favor of a bill sponsored by Rep. Lori Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, that would help victims access justice.

"As a kid, I knew I couldn't change what happened to me, but I also knew that, when I was a grown-up, I would do my best to make things better for others. As a social worker, I have worked my entire professional life to bring systemic change and to give voice to fellow survivors," said Gramlich.

AUGUSTA - The Maine House and Senate voted on Thursday to advance a bill sponsored by Rep. Scott Cuddy, D-Winterport, that would ensure certain educational technicians are not required to pay into the Maine Public Employee Retirement System (MePERS) and can instead collect social security.