Politics

Maine May Have Received Its Last Shipment Of Protective Equipment From The Federal Stockpile

By • 8 hours ago
John Minchillo / Associated Press

Maine Center for Disease Control Director Nirav Shah says the federal government has shipped what could be the state’s last shipment of personal protective equipment, or PPE, for health care workers.

Former Google Exec Ends Bid For Senate Seat

By • Mar 26, 2020

Biddeford native Ross LaJeunesse announced Thursday that he is ending his bid for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

Maine AFL-CIO Head Applauds Coronavirus Relief Measure

By • Mar 26, 2020

The head of the Maine AFL-CIO says the pandemic relief measure the U.S. Senate approved Wednesday night will provide relief for workers.

Mills And Trump Advise Different, Opposing Approaches To Public Health And Coronavirus Response

By • Mar 25, 2020
Robert F. Bukaty / AP File

As Maine Gov. Janet Mills takes additional measures to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus, she and other governors are saying residents should brace for a long period of sacrifice to protect public health. But President Donald Trump has begun signaling a dramatically different approach, telling Americans Tuesday that he wants large sections of the economy reopened by mid-April.

Mills Shifts From Recommending To Mandating Steps To Stem Spread Of Coronavirus

By & • Mar 25, 2020
Nick Woodward / Maine Public

Gov. Janet Mills Mills has signed an executive order that adds new restrictions on non-essential businesses. Her order closes public-facing locations and businesses that cannot offer employees enough space to work safely with one another. The new steps come as Maine's total number of cases reached 118. Maine Public's Chief Political Correspondent Steve Mistler broke down the specifics with our All Things Considered host Nora Flaherty.

Maine GOP To Continue Petition Drive To Block Ranked Voting

By Patrick Whittle - Associated Press • Mar 23, 2020

PORTLAND, Maine - The Maine Republican Party will move ahead with a petition drive to try to block a ranked form of voting as much of the state shuts down due to coronavirus.

Collins: Third Stimulus Package In The Works Aimed At Helping Businesses Survive Coronavirus

By • Mar 20, 2020
Susan Walsh / Associated Press

Maine U.S. Sen. Susan Collins says negotiations are underway between Republicans and Democrats over a third stimulus package to help provide loans and other relief to small businesses and their employees affected by the coronavirus pandemic. 

Maine's Congressional Delegation Wants Shipyard Workers To Get Paid Time Off

By • Mar 19, 2020

Maine’s Congressional delegation is urging the Navy to take steps to protect workers at Bath Iron Works and the Portsmouth Naval shipyard from the spread of the coronavirus.

Maine Lawmakers End Session After Approving Sweeping Emergency Powers For Governor

By • Mar 19, 2020
Robert F. Bukaty / Associated Press

Before ending the legislative session Tuesday, Maine lawmakers voted overwhelmingly for a bill that gives sweeping powers to Gov. Janet Mills to address the coronavirus pandemic.

Collins Introduces $300 Billion Small Business Bailout

By • Mar 18, 2020

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine is sponsoring legislation would provide loans to help keep small businesses hurt by the coronavirus pandemic up and running.

Coronavirus Has Some States Closing Restaurants And Bars. Should Maine?

By • Mar 17, 2020
Nick Woodward / Maine Public file

As the number of cases of COVID-19 increases in Maine, state officials are increasingly being asked if they need to mandate closures of certain businesses like restaurants and bars as a way to limit spread of the virus.

Mills Praises Bipartisan Support For $73M Emergency Bill To Combat Coronavirus

By • Mar 17, 2020

Gov. Janet Mills has high praise for legislative members of both parties who have come together on an emergency spending bill of $73 million. The measure changes a variety of state laws to address the coronavirus pandemic.

Maine Council On Aging ED Urges Legislators To Provide More Resources For Seniors, Homebound

By & • Mar 16, 2020

The executive director of the Maine Council on Aging is urging legislators to move more resources into direct services for seniors, people who are sick, and the homebound as part of preparations for COVID-19.

March 13: The State's Response To The New Coronavirus

By • Mar 13, 2020
Rebecca Conley / Maine Public

The new Coronavirus isn't just infecting people. It has reached, indirectly, into many corners of American life. And, as of this week, cases were confirmed in Maine. Chief Political Correspondent Steve Mistler and Senior Political Correspondent Mal Leary discuss this and significant announcements that the governor made Thursday. 

Get caught up:

Susan Collins Criticizes Federal Coronavirus Response, Urging Trump To 'Step Back'

By Jessica Piper - Bangor Daily News • Mar 13, 2020
Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press/via Bangor Daily News

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins criticized the federal government’s handling of the novel coronavirus outbreak on Friday, characterizing the Trump administration’s messaging as “inconsistent” while saying testing “should be more available than it is.”

Pages