DOE Sets Aside $61 Million for Biofuels RD&D
Yesterday, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced $61.4 million for technologies that produce low-cost, low-carbon biofuels. Biofuels are derived from renewable resources and can power heavy-duty vehicles that are difficult to electrify with current...
Legislative Update
The Legislature may have adjourned last week, however, because they passed a joint order allowing the committees to continue to hold public hearings and work sessions, Committee work is being done fast and furious. Bills of Interest MEMA reviews and monitors...
Governor Janet Mills and Administration Updates COVID-19 Prevention Checklists
The Mills Administration posted updates this week following COVID-19 Prevention Checklists: Large Gatherings / Ticketed Events ; Organized Racing Events; Town Meetings; and Transportation. The update also establishes a Private Events COVID-19 Checklist. The...
Janet Mills Holding Off On Stimulus Spending Proposals Until After May 1 Revenue Forecast Meeting
Now that the state budget has been passed by the Legislature, Gov. Janet Mills says she will wait until next month to make any additional spending proposals or allocations of federal American Rescue Plan funds. Mills says she expects the state revenue...
Maine Proposal to Increase Apprentice Wages Moves Ahead
Maine’s Labor and Housing Committee has approved a proposal designed to increase wages for apprentices. The Maine Apprenticeship Program facilitates training and education to help fill gaps in the state’s workforce. Democratic State Sen. Joe Rafferty of...
Voter ID Requirement Bills
The Maine Legislature is being asked to pass voter ID as a way to increase confidence in elections- this time following the controversies of 2020. Maine already requires people to show proof of who they are and where they live when they register to vote. But...
MEMA Participates in the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Annual Day on the Hill
The annual NACS Day on the Hill, formerly known as the Government Relations Conference, was virtual this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic; Capitol Hill isn’t open to visitors currently. However, lawmakers and their staff are still having virtual meetings with their...
Governor Mills Urges Federal Government To Provide Funding to Address PFAS Contamination and Outlines Regulatory Actions to Assist Maine’s Response
In a letter to Maine's Congressional Delegation, Governor Janet Mills this week requested that the Federal government provide dedicated funding to address the growing issue of PFAS both in Maine and across the country. The Governor, who thanked the Congressional...
Governor Mills Announces All Maine Residents Age 16 and Older Are Eligible for a COVID-19 Vaccine
Governor Janet Mills announced Thursday that all Maine residents age 16 and older will be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine beginning next Wednesday, April 7, 2021. The acceleration of Maine’s vaccination timeline by a week and a half comes as Maine is expected to...
Governor Mills accelerates ‘clean transportation’ plan to accomplish Maine’s climate goals
Governor Janet Mills has signed an executive order (PDF) to accelerate Maine’s progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation by calling for a “clean transportation roadmap” to achieve the state’s climate plan goal of increasing the number of...
Citizens’ initiative effort regarding voter citizenship fails to submit minimum signatures
Secretary of State Shenna Bellows confirmed today that the citizens' initiative effort "An Act To Clarify the Eligibility of Voters" does not have enough signatures to move forward. The proponents of this legislation submitted 17,622 petitions with 66,389 signatures...
4.5 Legislative Update
Maine Democrats Pass $8.3 Billion Two-Year Budget Democrats in the Maine Legislature used their majority status to pass an $8.3 billion two-year state budget Tuesday. Democrats hold majorities in the House and Senate and used that electoral strength to pass what they...