AUGUSTA, Maine, Feb. 2 -- The Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services issued the following news release on Feb. 1, 2024: Following a more than 24 percent pay increase for State of Maine employees in just under five years, the Department of Administrative and Financial Services today submitted a report to the Legislature outlining a new strategy to promote competitive pay and benefits for employees. In 2020, the Mills Administration conducted a Market Study Report that compare more PR

AUGUSTA, Maine, Feb. 2 -- The Maine Department of Education issued the following news release on Feb. 1, 2024: The Maine Department of Education (DOE) delivered a report today to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs of the Maine Legislature detailing recommendations to solve decades-long structural challenges that have limited Maine's ability to successfully provide special education services to preschool-aged children. The recommendations include a proposal to transit more PR

AUGUSTA, Maine, Feb. 1 -- The Maine House Democrats issued the following news release: Rep. Deqa Dhalac, D-South Portland, presented legislation Tuesday before the Legislature's State and Local Government Committee that would establish the Office of New Americans (ONA) within Maine State Government. The bill would establish the two-person office, housed within the Governors Office of Policy, Innovation and the Future, and would create a 19-member advisory council to oversee the ONA on matters  more PR

AUGUSTA, Maine, Feb. 1 -- The Maine House Democrats issued the following news release: Following tonight's State of the State address, during which Gov. Janet Mills outlined her priorities for gun safety legislation this session, House Majority Leader Mo Terry, D-Gorham, and Assistant Majority Leader Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston, released the following statements: House Majority Leader Mo Terry: "The gun safety policy initiatives outlined by the governor during her State of the State address  more PR

AUGUSTA, Maine, Feb. 2 -- The Maine Senate Democrats issued the following news: On Thursday, the Legislature's Judiciary Committee voted in favor of LD 780, "RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to Protect Personal Reproductive Autonomy," sponsored by Sen. Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic. The Reproductive Rights Amendment received a vote of 6-5, with two members absent. "As someone who remembers a time before Roe v. Wade, I know how vital access to safe reproductive healt more PR

ORONO, Maine, Jan. 31 -- The University of Maine issued the following news release: Maine Outdoor School for All (MOSFA), a network of organizations that includes University of Maine Cooperative Extension, is announcing the expansion of its community partnership, taking a significant step toward the goal of offering outdoor education to students across the entire state. To commemorate the milestone, a ceremonial signing event was held at UMaine on Jan. 19, symbolizing the commitment of MOSFA  more PR