By STATE SEN. HENRY INGWERSEN, Special to the Gazette On the first day of the legislative session, I joined my colleagues in the House and Senate at a press conference to outline our sweeping “Lower Costs, Stronger Communities” bill package. From health care and energy to childcare and housing, we are going to work hard … Continue reading OPINION: Helping parents afford childcare
Category: MAINE NEWS
News items regarding state and county updates from Augusta and Alfred
Stop the Grinch! Protect your real estate
By State Sen. HENRY INGWERSEN, Special to the Gazette This time of year, we’re all familiar with the Grinch who, seeking to ruin the holidays, sneaks around and tries to steal Christmas from the good people of Whoville. However, on December 3, I gaveled in the final meeting of a commission that had its eye … Continue reading Stop the Grinch! Protect your real estate
Ingwersen plans to address mental health in Maine’s heritage industries
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor As one of the most rural states in the country, the state of Maine is well known for its so-called “heritage industries” that rely on outdoor occupations, such as farming, fishing and logging. Those industries have long driven Maine’s economy but they also present a few -- somewhat hidden – … Continue reading Ingwersen plans to address mental health in Maine’s heritage industries
Celebrating Thanksgiving with gratitude
There are many resources available for those struggling with food insecurity By STATE SEN. HENRY INGWERSEN Special to the Gazette This week, I hope that the residents of Senate District 32 -- whether in Dayton, Biddeford or Arundel, Hollis and Lyman, -- can celebrate the holiday with their families, friends and neighbors. This time of … Continue reading Celebrating Thanksgiving with gratitude
Ingwersen working to stabilize childcare costs
Contributed Story State Sen. Henry Ingwersen (D-Biddeford) and Senate President Mattie Daughtry (D-Brunswick) visited the St. Louis Child Development Center in Biddeford, as part of a statewide Child Care Listening Tour. “As the Senate chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, I know that access to affordable child care remains a top priority across … Continue reading Ingwersen working to stabilize childcare costs
OPINION: Vaccines are vital, and Maine is leading
By State Rep. MARC MALON, Contributing Writer Do you know anyone currently suffering from polio? My guess is you probably don’t. But polio has existed throughout recorded human history, and the worst outbreak in the United States killed more than 3,000 people in 1952. It left countless others with lifelong health consequences. Photo credit: … Continue reading OPINION: Vaccines are vital, and Maine is leading
Behind the Maine ballot: Voter ID & Gun Control
By Emily Bader of The Maine Monitor Mainers will see two big questions on the ballot this year: one about election procedures, and one about a potential red flag law. Maine citizens can put proposed legislation directly before voters through a process called a citizen initiative. For a citizen initiative petition to be approved by … Continue reading Behind the Maine ballot: Voter ID & Gun Control
How Maine towns are regulating development in flood zones
By EMMETT GARTNER, The Maine Monitor Early last spring, while still cleaning up the wreckage of devastating winter storms, southern Maine towns began drafting new rules governing how they’d rebuild or develop on stretches of land that were widely inundated months before. The process coincided with the adoption of new federal flood maps and is … Continue reading How Maine towns are regulating development in flood zones
Fecteau’s housing bill gets bipartisan approval
According to a press release, both the Maine House of Representatives and Senate voted unanimously last week to approve a housing bill that was introduced by Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford). The bill, LD 1829, is intended to make it easier to build new housing units by amending zoning requirements and providing clarity for municipalities, developers … Continue reading Fecteau’s housing bill gets bipartisan approval
What’s happening in Augusta: Cleaning Out the Notebook
By Rep. MARC MALON I view this past week in Augusta as transitional. Committees, including my own, finished their work on bills and the bulk of the activity began moving from the committee room to the floors of each chamber. The week began on a stressful note personally. I went to the Memorial Day ceremony … Continue reading What’s happening in Augusta: Cleaning Out the Notebook
Court puts Fecteau in national spotlight
Maine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford is gaining some national attention after the United States Supreme Court ruled yesterday in favor of Republican lawmaker Laurel Libby who said he violated her Constitutional rights. The case began in February after Libby (R-Auburn) posted a photo of a transgender athlete from Greely High School who won … Continue reading Court puts Fecteau in national spotlight
Political gamesmanship threatens vulnerable Mainers
By HENRY INGWERSEN, State senator The last time I wrote to you, I spoke about the importance of MaineCare, our state’s version of the Medicaid program. MaineCare provides health care to low-income families and children, people with disabilities and pregnant women, and is overwhelmingly supported by Maine people. I also wrote about how Maine faces … Continue reading Political gamesmanship threatens vulnerable Mainers
AUGUSTA RECAP: State Rep. Marc Malon
By Rep. MARC MALON This week at the Statehouse was front-loaded and compact. Many of my colleagues traveled on the biannual Maine Development Foundation tour across the state, learning about economic development particularly in Penobscot and Aroostook Counties from Wednesday through Friday. I’ve always wanted to attend, but it’s difficult to manage with family obligations. … Continue reading AUGUSTA RECAP: State Rep. Marc Malon
Housing, budget: top priorities for Biddeford lawmakers
As Maine lawmakers gear up for what is expected to be a grueling session, there are two topics that both Democrats and Republicans agree should be a top priority. The 132nd Legislature will consider several bills aimed at tackling the state’s housing crisis while also addressing a projected $450 million budget shortfall and a new … Continue reading Housing, budget: top priorities for Biddeford lawmakers
Biddeford lawmakers brace for ‘tough session’
With the 132nd Legislature now officially underway and facing a state budget shortfall, members of Biddeford’s legislative delegation are preparing for what is expected to be a battle of spending priorities. Members of Biddeford’s delegation are all Democrats, the party that holds a solid majority in both the House and Senate; as well as the … Continue reading Biddeford lawmakers brace for ‘tough session’
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 