Golden bill would ban spending by corporate PACs
LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — Members of Congress from Maine and California have submitted a proposal to ban spending by corporate political action committees. Democratic Reps. Jared Golden of Maine and Josh Harder of California says the PACs have too much influence on electoral politics. Golden says Maine Citizens for Clean Elections found that corporate PACs have spent more than $90 million on Maine elections alone since 2008.
Moths that cause itchy rash primed for big year in Maine
BANGOR, Maine (AP) — The Maine Forest Service is warning residents that this could be an especially bad summer for a species of invasive moth that causes an itchy rash in people. The browntail moth first arrived in Maine a century ago and their caterpillars have poisonous hairs that irritate human skin. The Bangor Daily News reports officials said there will be more moths this summer and their range has also expanded. The moths have been aided by dry spring conditions last year that was followed by a warm fall. That created good conditions for the moths to reproduce and spread.
Less ice on Maine lakes could impact water quality, fish
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Lakes in Maine are freezing later and thawing sooner, a trend that has scientists worried about long-term impacts to water quality and aquatic life. The Sun Journal reports that research shows Lake Auburn is now ice free for several weeks longer each year than it was decades ago. Researchers and environmental advocates tell the newspaper that the change could worsen water quality by promoting the growth of algae. Warmer water could also cause declines in fish populations by depleting food sources.
Help Wanted: In pandemic, worry about finding summer workers
BOSTON (AP) — Hotels, restaurants and other businesses in tourist destinations are warning that hiring challenges during the coronavirus pandemic could force them to pare back operating hours or curtail services just as they’re eyeing a bounce-back summer. They say the annual influx of overseas seasonal workers into the country has been severely delayed by rising COVID-19 cases globally. American embassies and consulates remain closed or severely short-staffed and the U.S. has imposed travel restrictions on various countries. Businesses have also struggled to attract U.S. workers, even as many have redoubled their efforts to hire locally amid high unemployment.
BC-VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW ENGLAND
NH hosts mass vaccine site; MA awards business relief funds
A mass COVID-19 vaccination site in New Hampshire aimed to deliver thousands of doses this weekend, with a focus on teachers and others who work with children. The Greater Nashua Public Health Network and Fidelity Investments worked to organize the event; some 2,000 people were expected to receive their second vaccine dose. Elsewhere in New England, more than 600 Massachusetts businesses will share $30 million in new state COVID-19 relief funding. Maine has joined other states in resuming the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and the Vermont Brewers Festival has been called off for the second year in a row.
BAR HARBOR PIER
Consultant: Refurbished ferry terminal would cost up to $21M
BAR HARBOR, Maine (AP) — A consultant has pegged the cost of repairing or replacing an idle pier at Bar Harbor’s former ferry terminal at between $17 million and $21 million. The town has agreed to lease part of the 7-acre property to Bay Ferries, which has been trying to revive The CAT catamaran ferry service between Bar Harbor and Nova Scotia. The pier was originally was built in 1956 and has not been used since 2009, when Bay Ferries ended ferry service. Bar Harbor acquired the property in 2018 along with the rest of the ferry terminal property.
FIREFIGHTER PROTECTION
Proposal would aid firefighters for job-related illnesses
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Senators from Maine and Delaware have proposed a bill that would make sure certain firefighters receive benefits for diseases they contract in the line of duty. The proposal from Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Democratic Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware would apply to federal firefighters. The senators say the proposal would classify a range of illnesses, including lung diseases and some cancers, as job-related for the firefighters. The senators say that would make the firefighters eligible for federal workers’ compensation and disability retirement benefits.
OPEN SPACE-PORTLAND
Maine city protects area around river headwaters
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s largest city has acquired a parcel of land to help protect the headwaters of the Fore River. Portland officials say the city has acquired a 27-acre piece of forestland from the Avangrid Foundation. Officials say the acquisition helps protect the largest remaining undeveloped area around the headwaters of the river. Officials with the city also say the parcel had been a high priority for years because it is near existing conservation land and has a network of trails.