AUGUSTA - Rep. Lydia Crafts, D-Newcastle, received the 2024 National Social Worker of the Year award from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) on June 20 in Washington, D.C. Crafts was recognized for her outstanding dedication to social justice, innovative legislative initiatives and unwavering commitment to the health and welfare of Maine's most vulnerable populations. She had previously been named the Maine Social Worker of the Year by the organizations state chapter.

AUGUSTA - In May, the Maine Department of Labor (MDOL) published its proposed rules for the state's new paid family and medical leave (PFML) program, which was created in 2023 as part of the supplemental budget enacted by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Janet Mills.

HALLOWELL - Today, Rep. Anne Graham, D-North Yarmouth, and Rep. Dan Shagoury, D-Hallowell, presented a joint resolution raising awareness about mental health to Executive Director Jennifer Thompson and Hannah Longley of NAMI Maine and Executive Director Adam Bloom-Paicopolos of the Alliance for Addiction and Mental Health Services.

Graham and Shagoury both serve as members of the Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services.

AUGUSTA - This week, Gov. Janet Mills signed a proclamation recognizing Gen. William Whipple, who was born in Kittery, for his efforts and contributions to the founding of the United States. Whipple was the only native Mainer to sign the Declaration of Independence.

OLD ORCHARD BEACH - Sen. Donna Bailey, D-Saco, and Reps. Lori K. Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, and Lynn Copeland, D-Saco, joined local and state officials on Friday at the Old Orchard Beach Fire Station to discuss storm recovery and resiliency efforts in York County.

The meeting was organized by the newly formed Infrastructure Rebuilding and Resilience Commission, which was created by Gov. Janet Mills to evaluate Maine's response to recent storms and identify ways to prepare for future extreme weather events.

AUGUSTA - State lawmakers including Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, Speaker of the House Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, Sen. Chip Curry, D-Belfast, and Rep. Sue Salisbury, D-Westbrook, joined Maine Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel and Friends of EMS for Maine for the annual Maine EMS Week Celebration and Remembrance Ceremony at the State House on Thursday.

The May 5 edition of the Maine Sunday Telegram featured an article with the headline, "As student homelessness rises, so do challenges for Biddeford and Saco schools." The article detailed the issues facing school districts in southern Maine that have seen an increase in students who are unhoused.

AUGUSTA - Tomorrow, May 23 at 11:00 a.m., state lawmakers will join Maine Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel and Friends of EMS for the annual Maine EMS Week Celebration and Remembrance Ceremony. The event will be held on the State House grounds at the Maine EMS Memorial and Education site.

AUGUSTA - Yesterday, members of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee met to consider the 245 bills that made it to the Special Appropriations Table. During their meeting, the committee made recommendations to fund 80 bills and take no action on the remainder.

AUGUSTA - On Tuesday, the Legislature's Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee met to consider the 245 bills that made it to the Special Appropriations Table. During their meeting, the committee made recommendations to fund 80 bills, including nearly 40 bills championed by House Democrats.

Following the committee votes, House Majority Leader Mo Terry, D-Gorham, issued the following statement: