• Read more about Jauch nominates Richard L'Heureux of Topsham for Franco-American Hall of Fame

L'Heureux, who grew up speaking French, is a retired U.S. Navy master chief who did two tours in Vietnam and a tour at Subic Bay in the Philippines. He has received the Naval Commendation Medal, several Vietnam service medals and the Terence Cardinal Cooke Award for humanitarian support of military families.

LHeureux's wife, Juliana, was also inducted into the Franco-American Hall of Fame in 2016. Currently, she is the vice president of the Franco-American Collection Board of Directors and has written about Maine's Franco-American community in several newspapers since 1988.

• Read more about Maine House advances Doudera bill to establish a clean hydrogen pilot program

AUGUSTA - The Maine House enacted legislation on Tuesday sponsored by Rep. Vicki Doudera, D-Camden, to establish a clean hydrogen pilot program.

• Read more about Augusta legislators honor local athlete

Rep. Raegan LaRochelle, D-Augusta, Rep. Bill Bridgeo, D-Augusta, and Sen. Matthew Pouliot, R-Kennebec, welcomed Parker Sergent of Augusta to the State House on Tuesday and presented him with a legislative sentiment.

Sergent, a student at Cony High School and a player on the boys' basketball team, recently scored his 1,000th career point.

Contact:

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

Left to right: Rep. Raegan LaRochelle, Vikki Sergent, Parker Sergent, Sen. Matthew Pouliot and Rep. Bill Bridgeo.

• Read more about Governor Mills signs Shaw bill to make it easier for more Mainers to grow their own food

AUGUSTA - A bill sponsored by Rep. Kathy Shaw, D-Auburn, that will make it easier for more Mainers to grow their own food, was signed into law by Gov. Janet Mills last week.

• Read more about Mathieson applauds federal funding for Mainspring

AUGUSTA - Mainspring, a southern Maine resource hub under development by Fair Tide, Footprints Food Pantry and York County Community Action, is set to receive $1 million in federal funding as part of the recent funding bill for fiscal year 2024 approved by Congress last week.

• Read more about Sachs bill to cover Property Tax Stabilization Program funding gap signed into law

AUGUSTA - A bill sponsored by Rep. Melanie Sachs, D-Freeport, to appropriate $15 million to fully cover the state's reimbursement to municipalities for costs associated with the Property Tax Stabilization Program, was signed into law by Gov. Janet Mills on Wednesday. The bill would also appropriate $50,000 to reimburse municipalities for administrative costs associated with the implementation of the program.

• Read more about Doudera bill targets reduction of firearm suicide deaths

AUGUSTA - Rep. Vicki Doudera, D-Camden, introduced legislation on Tuesday aimed at lowering Maine's high rate of suicide deaths. LD 2119, as amended, would allow individuals to voluntarily and confidentially have their names added to the federal do-not-sell firearms list, thereby preventing future gun purchases during a suicidal crisis.

• Read more about Committee advances Meyer bill to lift more Mainers out of poverty

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to advance legislation sponsored by Rep. Michele Meyer, D-Eliot, that would increase the monthly benefit level provided by the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which would support greater financial security for Maines low-income families.

• Read more about Legislature unanimously enacts Moriarty bill allowing municipalities to create partial property tax deferral programs

AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature unanimously voted to enact legislation sponsored by Rep. Steve Moriarty, D-Cumberland, that would allow municipalities to create their own partial property tax deferral programs, increasing property tax relief for seniors while ensuring municipalities have sufficient financial protections.

• Read more about House advances Dhalac bill to increase access to participation on state boards and commissions

AUGUSTA - Over Republican opposition, the House advanced a bill on Thursday from Rep. Deqa Dhalac, D-South Portland, to increase access to participation on certain state boards and commissions by allowing departments to authorize equitable compensation for participants.