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• Read more about House advances Talbot Ross measure to bridge Maine's "digital divide"

AUGUSTA - The Maine House voted Monday to advance a measure by Assistant House Majority Leader Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, which aims to bridge Maine's "digital divide" between those with internet access and those without. The vote was 84-61.

LD 1555 would dedicate $15 million to help marginalized groups access the internet. The ConnectMaine Authority would oversee the use of those funds in consultation with stakeholder groups.

• Read more about House advances Talbot Ross measure to increase Homestead Property Tax Exemption

AUGUSTA - The Maine House voted Thursday to advance a measure by Assistant House Majority Leader Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, which would increase the existing Homestead Property Tax Exemption program. The bill earned initial approval with unanimous consent.

"The Homestead Exemption is one of our most powerful property tax relief programs. Strengthening the program will help Mainers, especially working families and older residents, afford to stay in their homes," said Talbot Ross.

• Read more about Committee advances proposed educational requirements for African American, Holocaust studies

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Education and Cultural Affairs Committee voted Monday to advance a measure by Assistant House Majority Leader Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, that would incorporate African American studies into Maine's statewide learning standards. The bill was amended to include proposals brought forth by Sen. Louie Luchini, D-Ellsworth, to also require the study of genocide and the Holocaust. The vote was 11-1.

• Read more about Talbot Ross introduces bill to bolster Homestead Property Tax Exemption

AUGUSTA - Assistant House Majority Leader Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, introduced a bill on Tuesday to increase state reimbursement to municipalities for the existing Homestead Property Tax Exemption Program.

"The Homestead Exemption is one of our most important property tax relief programs, but it could be much more powerful with increased support from the state. Strengthening the Homestead Exemption would help Mainers, especially working families and older residents, afford to stay in their homes," said Talbot Ross.

• Read more about Talbot Ross releases statement on the conviction of Derek Chauvin

AUGUSTA - Assistant House Majority Leader Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, has released the following statement on the conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd:

• Read more about Talbot Ross introduces bill to advance health equity

AUGUSTA - Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, has introduced a bill to advance health equity in Maine by closing gaps in MaineCare and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The measure, LD 718, was heard before the Legislature's Committee on Health and Human Services on Thursday. If passed into law, the bill would ensure that all Maine residents have access to affordable health care, regardless of immigration status.

• Read more about Talbot Ross to hold press conference on health equity bill

AUGUSTA - Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, will host a virtual press conference to announce new legislation, LD 718, a bill to close gaps in MaineCare and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), on Thursday, April 15 at 9:00 a.m.

• 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 Talbot Ross' bill to create racial impact statements in the legislative process becomes law

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.

• Read more about House reaches deal on supplemental budget

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted to approve the supplemental budget after reaching a compromise early in the morning on Friday. The motion exceeded the required 101 votes to reach a two-thirds majority, receiving 139 votes. Following the vote in the House, the measure was finally enacted by the Senate.