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What we're reading
— Risking a showdown with Mills, Democrats on a legislative committee advanced a sweeping tribal sovereignty bill on Tuesday. The issue is wrapped up with the governor's smaller agreement with tribes that would hand them control of new online sports betting market.
The rumor mill: The BDN's Caitlin Andrews has learned a big change in Mills' offer to tribes may be released today. Stay tuned.
— The only top-tier Maine candidate facing a June primary is former U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin. Caratunk Selectman Liz Caruso qualified for the Republican primary in the 2nd Congressional District ahead of a Tuesday deadline as other longshot challengers to Mills, LePage and U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree of the 1st District saw their bids end. Rep. Jared Golden, a Democrat from the 2nd District, will also run unopposed in June.
— Golden tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. He was not at a recent House Democratic retreat in Philadelphia after which many other members contracted the virus and he is fully vaccinated and boosted, his office said.
— Higher gas prices are slamming Meals on Wheels programs in Maine. Drivers in some places have stopped due to fuel costs and programs are considering doing bigger but fewer deliveries in response. |
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Follow along today
The State House is remaining closed this week due to the effects of a burst water pipe. Planned legislative floor sessions on Thursday are canceled, but committee work will continue.
9 a.m. The energy committee will hold public hearings on a raft of remaining utility measures. Watch here.
The tax committee will work on a rate-relief measure from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash. Watch here.
9:30 a.m. Two bills aiming to fight forever chemicals will be worked on in the agriculture committee. Watch here.
A Jackson bill aimed at ramping up sexual assault prevention policies at colleges and universities gets a work session before the education panel. Watch here.
10 a.m. A watered-down housing reform bill from House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, D-Biddeford, gets a work session before the housing panel. Watch here.
1:30 p.m. King will hold a virtual news conference after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses Congress. |
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| 📷 Lead photo: Gov. Janet Mills attends an event at the Blaine House on Friday, March 11, 2022, in Augusta. (AP photo by Robert F. Bukaty) |
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