New public advocate confirmed by Maine Legislature
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine lawmakers are meeting in person for the second time this month to take up matters including the governor’s veto of a bill allowing farm workers to unionize. The Senate also confirmed the state’s new public advocate, William Harwood. Harwood is a utilities lawyer who served as a senior advisor in Gov. Janet Mills’ energy office, and received a unanimous endorsement from the utilities committee. The House featured a new face. Democratic Rep. Jim Boyle of Gorham was seated after winning a special election to fill a seat vacated by Democrat Kyle Bailey.
XGR-TEXTBOOK COST ASSISTANCE
Maine considers textbook assistance plan for some students
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine might create a state fund to help students enrolled in early college courses afford their textbooks. Democratic Rep. Maggie O’Neil has proposed a bill that would create the Textbook Cost Assistance Fund within the Maine Department of Education. O’Neil says she made the proposal after Saco students said textbook costs can be a barrier to accessing the state’s early college program. The early college program allows students to earn credits through community colleges and public universities in the state. They then start college with credits already in hand. The bill was the subject of a hearing Tuesday.
MAINE LEGISLATURE
Maine Legislature meets in person for second time this month
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine lawmakers are meeting in person for the second time this month to take up matters including the governor’s veto of a bill allowing farm workers to unionize. The proposal is unlikely to muster a two-thirds majority, since it narrowly passed last year. Republicans were united in opposition. The newest House member will be seated for the first time. Rep. Jim Boyle, D-Gorham, won a special election to fill a seat vacated by Democrat Kyle Bailey because of a job conflict.
AP-US-RIGHT-WHALE-GENETICS
Baby whale genetic testing may help save species, study says
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Authors of a new scientific study say greater reliance on genetic testing of baby whales and their mothers may help save a rare species from extinction. Currently, there are fewer than 340 North Atlantic right whales. Researchers at the New England Aquarium in Boston led the study. The looked at 13 right whale calves identified via genetics. Researchers were able to determine the age of 12 of the whales, and match 11 with their mothers. They even found that four believed to be dead were actually still alive. Right whales have long been tracked using photographs.
RECOVERED WAGES
Maine labor officials recover nearly $475K in worker wages
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine Department of Labor says it has recovered nearly $475,000 in wages that employers failed to pay workers in 2021. Labor officials took the extra step of publishing the names of more than two dozen penalized employers on a website. Going forward, the state said it intends to update the website quarterly. Scott Cotnoir, director of the labor department’s wage and hour division, said that publicizing business names will encouraging workers to report violations and deter other businesses from violating the law.
FAMILY COURT STAFFING
Maine eyes staffing increase in busy family court system
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Lawmakers in Maine are considering a proposal to increase staffing in the state’s family court system to try to cope with a heavy caseload. The proposal from Democratic Sen. Joe Baldacci of Bangor would increase the number of family law magistrates from eight to 24 by Aug. 1, 2024. It would also increase other staff in the court system. Baldacci said residents of the state face an inability to get a timely hearing in family court. He said that represents a threat to the stability of Maine families and the state’s legal system.
RARE EAGLE
Rare eagle seen in Maine, wowing birders, might stay a bit
GEORGETOWN, Maine (AP) — A rare species of eagle that has thrilled bird lovers and baffled scientists since arriving in Maine last month might not be in a hurry to leave. The Steller’s sea eagle arrived in Maine in late December after a brief stop in Massachusetts more than a month ago. It has stuck to Maine’s mid-coast area. It is eating fish and ducks and attracting hundreds of birdwatchers from all over the country. It’s native to Asia. Maine Audubon says the eagle is in no danger. Steller’s sea eagles have wingspans of up to 8 feet and can weigh twice as much as a bald eagle.