AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives gave initial approval on Tuesday to a measure sponsored by Rep. Valli Geiger, D-Rockland, that would increase access to justice for survivors of sexual assault by establishing a statewide sexual assault forensic examination kit tracking system.
AUGUSTA - Westbrook Reps. Morgan Rielly, Sue Salisbury and Drew Gattine, as well as Sens. Jill Duson, D-Portland, and Tim Nangle, D-Windham, welcomed the Westbrook High School Chamber Singers to the State House on Tuesday.
Rep. Raegan LaRochelle, D-Augusta, welcomed students and staff of the St. Michael School in Augusta to the State House on Tuesday. Ella Beyea and Kya Douin of Augusta performed the national anthem in the chamber of the House of Representatives at the start of the day's session.
Contact:
Brian Lee [LaRochelle], c. 305-965-2744
Left to right: Sharon Murray (far left), Rep. Raegan LaRochelle (second from left), Kya Douin (back, far left), Ella Beyea (third from left) and John Hickey (far right).
AUGUSTA - This week, the Legislature gave initial, unanimous approval to a measure sponsored by Rep. Michele Meyer, D-Eliot, that would bolster the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program's monthly benefit level to better support Maine families and communities across the state.
AUGUSTA - On Friday, Gov. Janet Mills unveiled her budget change package, which proposes to create a new fund to support the purchase of mobile home parks by their residents.
AUGUSTA - Legislation sponsored by Rep. Anne-Marie Mastraccio, D-Sanford, that would increase funding for homeless shelters in Maine, received unanimous approval from the Maine Legislature on Thursday.
The bill would allocate $10 million for ongoing funding for all shelters across the state and an additional $2.5 million for ongoing funding to increase the nightly rate the state pays to low-barrier shelters.
Rep. Allison Hepler, D-Woolwich, House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, and fellow lawmakers welcomed Natalie Emmerson of Woolwich and her family to the State House on Wednesday. Emmerson was awarded the 2024 Legislative Memorial Scholarship for Sagadahoc County.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Hepler], c. 305-965-2744
Front, left to right: Tamas Weisz, Bianca Hare, Rep. Allison Hepler, Natalie Emmerson, House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross, Rep. Morgan Rielly, D-Westbrook, and Dean Emmerson.
AUGUSTA - Anna Carpenter of Camden was recently awarded the 2024 Legislative Memorial Scholarship for Knox County. The scholarship annually recognizes one student from each county attending a Maine college or technical school and is awarded based on excellence, contributions to the community and more.
AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives gave initial approval on Thursday to LD 1779, sponsored by Rep. Grayson Lookner, D-Portland. The bill would give law enforcement the option to refer youth who are believed to have committed a low-level juvenile crime to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services for a needs assessment.
Children in foster care are some of Maine's most vulnerable. As of October 2023, approximately 2,500 of Maine's children remain in state custody, many of whom are living with significant developmental, emotional and medical needs.
In our two House districts alone, multiple foster children have been deprived of survivors benefits that could make a profound difference in the quality and trajectory of their lives. Ultimately, under state law, these young people are made to pay for their own care using the benefits due to them as the children of deceased parents.