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:

AUGUSTA - Rep. Nina Milliken, D-Blue Hill, earned the National Sexual Violence Resource Center's (NSVRC) 2024 Visionary Voice Award. The Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault presented Milliken with the award at a ceremony on April 30 at the University of Maine at Augusta.

AUGUSTA - Gov. Janet Mills has signed into law legislation sponsored by Rep. Lydia Crafts, D-Newcastle, that will improve access to social work services in Maine by having the state join the Social Work Licensure Compact.

AUGUSTA - A bipartisan bond measure sponsored by Rep. Jessica Fay, D-Raymond, that would provide $30 million over four years to invest in the design, development and maintenance of trails statewide was signed into law Monday and will appear on the November ballot.

AUGUSTA - Gov. Janet Mills has signed into law a bill sponsored by Rep. Chris Kessler, D-South Portland, aimed at protecting Maine renters by limiting the types of fees that are imposed on tenants upon signing a lease and increasing transparency around what many consider "hidden fees" in a lease agreement.

AUGUSTA - A measure sponsored by Rep. Ambureen Rana, D-Bangor, which would create the Recovery Community Centers Fund within the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, was signed into law by Gov. Janet Mills on Monday.

AUGUSTA - The Maine Climate Corps, introduced in the 130th Legislature by Rep. Morgan Rielly, D-Westbrook, is partnering with the American Climate Corps in an effort to recruit people who are interested in combating climate change, advancing environmental justice and building the clean energy economy.

Is there a chance you've forgotten about an old bank account? Have you moved and never received your utility deposit back? If so, you may be on the state's unclaimed property list.

AUGUSTA - The Legislature gave approval this week to legislation sponsored by Rep. Melanie Sachs, D-Freeport, that would encourage smart housing development in Maine by updating the state's growth management program law. The bill received initial approval in the House last Thursday and was passed to be enacted this week. It passed the Senate with bipartisan support last Friday.

AUGUSTA - A bill sponsored by Rep. Traci Gere, D-Kennebunkport, which gives MaineHousing and local housing authorities the first option to purchase three courthouses in York County and redevelop them into much-needed housing, is now law after being signed by Gov. Janet Mills last week.