Politics

State Attorneys General Are Fighting To Keep Environmental Laws

By • 14 hours ago
Robert Bukaty / AP File

The Trump Administration has been active with efforts to roll back some parts of federal clean air laws, which govern everything from coal-fired electric plants to motor vehicle emissions. In many cases, the efforts have been made through rule making. Some state attorneys general, including Maine’s, have joined together in trying to block those changes.

Sept. 20: Back At The Mic

By • Sep 20, 2019
Rebecca Conley / Maine Public

Maine's Political Pulse is back.

Host Irwin Gratz was joined this week by Chief Political Correspondent Steve Mistler and Statehouse reporter Mal Leary.

They're ready to catch you up on what's been happening this summer, but first they’re going to jump ahead to 2020 and discuss one of the marquis races on Maine's ballot — the U.S. Senate seat now held by Republican Susan Collins.

Get Caught Up:

Trump Nominates Poliquin To Chair A Federal Investment Protection Organization

By Michael Shepherd - Bangor Daily News • Sep 20, 2019
Troy R. Bennett / BDN

Former U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin announced Friday he has been nominated by President Donald Trump to chair the board of the federal organization charged with returning assets to customers when investments are stolen or brokerage firms go under.

Maine's Tougher New Distracted Driving Ban In Effect

By Patrick Whittle - Associated Press • Sep 19, 2019
Robert F. Bukaty / Associated Press

PORTLAND, Maine - A new Maine law that prohibits the use of hand-held phones and other devices while driving is now in effect.

Several Maine 'People's Veto' Campaigns Fail To Gather Enough Signatures

By • Sep 19, 2019

A number of People's Veto efforts did not meet Wednesday's deadline to submit signatures to state elections officials.

Group Seeking To Overturn Maine's New Vaccine Law Submits Petitions

By • Sep 18, 2019
Mal Leary / Maine Public

The activist group Mainers for Health and Parental Rights has submitted some 78,000 signatures certified by local registrars to suspend the state’s new vaccine law until the voters have their say on the issue next spring. Supporters of the law are vowing a fight to keep it.

'Everything Is On The Table' As Transportation Commission Seeks Funding Sources

By • Sep 17, 2019

A legislative commission on transportation funding started its work Tuesday. The 15-member panel has been charged with finding ways to increase spending for roads and bridges, and representatives from both parties have pledged to look at all options, including taxes.

Angus King: Donald Trump Should 'Take A Deep Breath' Before Blaming Iran For Saudi Attack

By • Sep 17, 2019
Andrew Harnik / Associated Press

In an appearance on CNN Tuesday morning, independent U.S. Sen. Angus King of Maine urged President Donald Trump to be cautious about responding to the attacks on Saudi oil facilities.

Eric Brakey Kicks Off Run For Maine's 2nd District House Seat

By • Sep 17, 2019
Steve Mistler / Maine Public

Former state Sen. Eric Brakey of Auburn kicked off his bid to unseat Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden of the 2nd District at a diner in Auburn on Tuesday.

A self-described libertarian Republican, Brakey told a crowd of roughly 50 supporters at Rolly’s Diner that he’s running on a platform of liberty from government regulation, government-run health care and needless involvement in foreign wars.

Maine's Marijuana Policy Office Begins Discussions For Tracking System

By • Sep 16, 2019

The state Office of Marijuana Policy met Monday with medical marijuana sellers and prospective adult recreational retailers to discuss a tracking system for marijuana grown or imported for sale into Maine.

Susan Collins Joins Another Effort To Stop Trump’s Border Emergency Declaration

By Michael Shepherd - Bangor Daily News • Sep 12, 2019
Gabor Degre / Bangor Daily News

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine joined a second effort on Wednesday to end a national emergency declaration from President Donald Trump leading his administration to reappropriate billions in military funding for his effort to build a wall at the southern border.

Amid Controversy, Maine National Guard Confirms Stay At Trump Resort

By • Sep 10, 2019
Jeff J. Mitchell / Getty Images via NPR

The Maine National Guard is confirming that a unit of the air guard's refueling wing last year stopped at a Scottish airport and stayed at President Trump's nearby luxury resort.

Opponents Of Maine Vaccine Law Are 'Confident' The People’s Veto Effort Will Make The 2020 Ballot

By Michael Shepherd - Bangor Daily News • Sep 10, 2019

Opponents of a new Maine law repealing religious and personal exemptions to school vaccine requirements expect their people’s veto bid to make the March 2020 ballot, while others aimed at other Democratic-led laws are less certain.

Maine Among States Suing SEC, Claiming New Rules Leave Investors Behind

By • Sep 10, 2019

NEW YORK - Seven states, including Maine, and the District of Columbia have sued the Securities and Exchange Commission, saying the regulatory agency is putting investors in jeopardy by relaxing rules for brokers.

Comcast And Cable TV Giants Sue Maine Over New Law Aimed At A La Carte Access

By Michael Shepherd - Bangor Daily News • Sep 10, 2019
Gene J. Puskar / Associated Press

AUGUSTA, Maine — The telecommunications giant Comcast and cable operators including Fox, CBS and Disney sued Maine and 17 municipalities Friday, saying a new state law aimed at enshrining a la carte cable TV is preempted by federal law.

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