EPA seeks input on Inflation Reduction Act programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with construction materials and products January 19, 2023 WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the first opportunities for public input on new programs focused on lower carbon construction materials made possible by a $350 million investment from President…

Treasury Releases Additional Information on Clean Vehicle Provisions of Inflation Reduction Act

December 29, 2022 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS released the following information on certain clean vehicle provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act. The information provides greater clarity to consumers and businesses that, beginning January 1, 2023, will be able to access tax benefits from the law’s clean vehicle provisions. …

Maine’s 131 legislative committee assignments

December 28, 2022 AUGUSTA, Maine — The 131st legislature’s Speaker of the House Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, and Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, announced their Joint Standing Committees, each consisting of 13 members. Agricultural, Conservation and Forestry Appropriations and Financial Affairs Rotundo is among lawmakers who have served on the appropriations committee many times before and…

Maine Revenue Forecasting Committee projects additional $282.8 Million in revenue for current biennium 

November 29, 2022   Augusta, MAINE – Following its meeting today, Maine’s nonpartisan Revenue Forecasting Committee (RFC) is expected to upgrade the State’s General Fund revenue forecast by approximately $282.8 million for the current biennium, which ends June 2023. The RFC also increased its projection for Fiscal Years 2024-2025 by $488.6 million.    “The State of Maine continues to be in…

Maine jury sends $3 million anti-racism message to Eastern Maine Medical Center and Northern Light Health

November 4, 2022 Largest-Ever Race Discrimination Verdict in Maine On November 2, 2022, a jury in the Bangor federal courthouse returned a verdict of $3,000,000 for David Ako-Annan against Eastern Maine Medical Center. This verdict found that EMMC engaged in unlawful racial discrimination when it terminated his employment; it also awarded $1,500,000 in compensatory damages…

Order Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests to Prepare for Safe Holiday Travel and Gatherings

11/17/2022  Maine households may order a kit of five rapid COVID-19 tests for home delivery every month from Project ACT AUGUSTA— The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is encouraging Maine people to order free, at-home COVID-19 tests as part of their planning for upcoming gatherings and travel to protect relatives and friends…

Baileyville Mill Workers on Verge of Strike Vote, to Project Union “Bat Light” on Mill

Friday, Nov. 18 Workers at the Woodland Pulp mill in Baileyville, Maine are demanding that the company present a contract offer that provides high enough wage increases to keep up with the cost of living. The members of USW Local 27 will be projecting the union’s “Bat Light” on the side of the tissue machines…

Mills Administration Announces $23.7 Million Unemployment Tax Cut for Maine Businesses Strategic investments will reduce unemployment taxes in 2023

November 17, 2022 Augusta, MAINE – The Mills Administration announced today that many Maine businesses will see a significant reduction in unemployment taxes next year thanks to strategic investments by Governor Mills in Maine’s unemployment trust fund. In 2020 and 2021, Governor Mills directed that $382 million in Federal COVID relief funding be invested in Maine’s unemployment trust…

Polar Express family event at the Maine Rockport Opera House Dec. 7

Film still from The Polar Express, image credit Warner Brothers, 2004. Families are invited to don their coziest pajamas and head over to the Rockport Opera House on Wednesday, December 7, at 5:30 p.m. for a special Polar Express-themed event, presented by the Rockport Public Library. Attendees will be greeted by the Polar Express conductor; costumed chefs will…

40 Attorneys General Announce Historic Google Settlement Over Location Tracking Practices 

November 15, 2022 AUGUSTA – Attorney General Aaron Frey today announced that Maine along with 39 other attorneys general, has reached a $391.5 million multistate settlement with Google over its location tracking practices relating to Google Account settings. This is the largest multistate Attorney General privacy settlement in the history of the U.S. Maine will receive over…