Politics

The proposal, from Democratic Sen. Mattie Daughtry, called for a commission that will hear from workers, employers, caregivers and others before proposing a statewide family leave system for Maine. The commission is expected to provide recommendations by January 2022.

A rally of supporters of the national group Arise USA, which is critical of COVID-19 restrictions and alleges 2020 election fraud, drew a crowd to Belfast's Crosby Center Tuesday evening, as well as protesters on the street outside.

The veterans' group chose this week to urge King to support D.C. as the 51st state, because on July 26, 1819, Maine residents voted in favor of their own statehood, leaving Massachusetts, and "never looked back."

Rep. Chris Johansen, a Republican legislator from Monticello who has been an outspoken opponent of coronavirus restrictions, has reportedly contracted COVID-19.

King says in a written statement that the $3.7 billion authorization for two ships is in line with the multiyear procurement contract previously agreed to by the Navy and the two shipyards that construct battleships, one of which is Bath Iron Works.

Now, the amount students receive from the Maine State Grant has increased by more than 66% - from $1,500 to $2,500 a semester, due to an increase of $10 million in state funding. Students say that extra $1,000 can make a big impact on easing the burden of paying for college.

Some schools are adding a few positions here and there, such as keeping on custodians they hired during the pandemic. But by far, the biggest way that schools say they’re spending this money is by indirectly giving some -- or all of it -- right back to the taxpayers.

In this week’s newsletter: Recapping the long odyssey of the legislative session; how the corridor fight is padding consultants’ wallets; the little-known firm behind Maine’s landmark recycling law.

A Democratic state lawmaker has taken down her Facebook account after criticism from conservatives over a social media post that said straight, white men "are too emotional to be in politics."

The court granted the commission 45 days after the receipt of the federal data, which are expected in August, to complete its proposal to the Legislature.