The Maine Commission on Public Defense Services says it needs more money than what the governor has offered to address a ‘constitutional crisis’ in Maine courts. Mills says the agency needs to change its rules first.
Gov. Janet Mills
Gov. Mills uses budget address to call for compromise by lawmakers in both parties
The governor also came out against a citizen referendum for a red flag law and challenged a commission that oversees legal representation to indigent clients to change its practices rather than request more money.
Gov. Mills set to deliver annual address to Legislature. Here’s what to look for.
Mills’ 2-year budget proposal includes service cuts and tax increases to meet the state’s constitutional mandate to submit a balanced budget.
Bipartisan tax break for retirees on the chopping block
A tax deduction on pension income won bipartisan support three years ago, but is now at the center of a partisan battle over tax increases in the proposed two year-budget.
Bipartisan bill would give Maine Legislature control over future state investigations
The proposal is partly in response to the formation of the commission to investigate the Lewiston mass shooting, which some lawmakers felt should have involved their input.
Maine cities, nonprofits ask lawmakers to reject proposed limit on housing assistance
Lawmakers are told that a proposal to limit General Assistance housing support would put hundreds of families at risk of eviction.
Nonprofit agencies say Mills administration’s cutbacks jeopardize health services
A decision to revoke cost-of-living increases in reimbursements for Medicaid services this month came as a surprise to nonprofits.
Gov. Mills proposes 3-month limit on emergency housing assistance
The proposal in the governor’s update to the current budget is intended to rein in ballooning costs in the state’s General Assistance program.
Maine still relies heavily on fossil fuels but calls zero-carbon goals ‘achievable’
A new report says electricity to heat homes and power vehicles is gaining an increasing share of Maine’s energy landscape, but petroleum dominates.
Maine hospitals sound alarm about proposed cuts in Gov. Mills’ budget
The reimbursement rate cutbacks would amount to about a 36% cut in Medicaid payments to some doctors, according to hospital operators.