Augusta|News|
‘Missed Opportunity': House Speaker Waters Down Affordable Housing Bill Under Pressure
The Labor and Housing Committee voted 8-3 on Wednesday to advance the bill to a floor vote in the Maine House.
Maine Beacon, News Partner
- Augusta, ME
- Website
Beacon is a website and podcast created by the Maine People’s Alliance to highlight the experiences of everyday Mainers, share information about the political and policy processes that affect Maine people and promote a progressive worldview based on community, fairness and investing in the future.
Posting Activity
Augusta|News|
Decline In Federal Grant Funding For Local Elections Criticized By Advocates
Experts say the $75 million is insufficient to fund local elections and leaves local election offices without resources make improvements.
Augusta|News|
‘The Civil Rights Issue Of Our Era': Tribal Sovereignty Bill Advances To Full Legislature
The bill would restore to the Wabanaki Nations in Maine the same rights that other federally recognized tribes in the U.S. have.
Augusta|News|
Maine Immigrant Rights Advocates Blast Biden's Continuation Of Trump Border Policy
The policy allows the U.S. to expel asylum seekers at the border without first hearing their claims.
Augusta|News|
Previously Excluded Wabanaki Tribes Added To Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization
Rep. Chellie Pingree helped amend the 1994 Violence Against Women Act to include the Indigenous women of Maine.
Across Maine, ME|News|
Officials To Mainers: Check Your New Districts Before Election Time
New maps were finalized for the next decade of elections in Maine.
Augusta|News|
Return Of Earmarks A Boon For Members Of Congress Facing Midterm Battles
Rep. Jared Golden’s re-election bid for the state’s Second Congressional District is considered a toss-up by election observers.
Augusta|News|
Maine House Kicks Off Floor Votes By Lifting Cap On Clean Syringes, Taxing ‘Dark Stores'
Beacon has a roundup of how progressive priorities fared this week in Augusta during initial floor votes by the legislature.
Augusta|News|
Handful Of House Dems Join With GOP To Vote Down Bill To Allow Fee On Vacant Second Homes
The bill, LD 1337, was defeated in the House on a 53-76 vote, likely dooming the measure for this session.
Augusta|News|
Tribal Sovereignty Supporters Fill State House, Urge Lawmakers To Recognize Wabanaki Rights
The day of action was organized by the Wabanaki Alliance, a group pushing for the recognition of tribal sovereignty.
Augusta|News|
Advocates Say Good Samaritan Compromise Won't Stop People From Dying
The current law is fatally flawed, advocates say, because it only offers immunity to the person calling for help during an overdose.
Augusta|News|
Podcast: The Sound Of Regular Mainers Returning To The State House
Plus: A recap of the Wabanaki Alliance lobby day for tribal sovereignty and an update on a transformative housing proposal being considered.
Augusta|News|
Senate Passes USPS Bill Ending Manufactured Crisis Rooted In Collins' 2005 Reform Act
In a rare bipartisan action, the Senate voted 79-19 to pass the Postal Service Reform Act.
Augusta|News|
Mainers Urge Lawmakers To Approve Zoning Bill In Bid To Address Devastating Housing Crisis
The state is experiencing a shortage of about 20,000 affordable options and around 25,000 Maine households are on a waitlist for vouchers.
Augusta|News|
Despite Powerful Testimony, Committee Rejects Ban On Solitary Confinement
Mainers held a rally on Monday morning ahead of a vote by the legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.
Across Maine, ME|News|
A Year After Jan. 6, Attack On The U.S. Capitol Lives On In Hundreds Of Court Cases
"The Department of Justice continues to spend enormous amounts of time and energy pressing cases against insurrectionists."
Augusta|News|
Funds Needed For Behavioral Health Not Policing, Advocates Tell Lawmakers
Activists expressed concerns Thursday about Gov. Janet Mills’ budget proposal for policing and carceral systems.
Augusta|News|
Beacon Podcast: Maine And Ukraine
Beacon hosts discuss local reaction to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, from vodka bans to State of the Union guests.
Augusta|News|
House Speaker Wants To Cut Zoning ‘Red Tape' To Address Maine's Housing Crisis
Speaker Ryan Fecteau unveiled a sweeping bill on Wednesday that would overhaul restrictive local zoning ordinances.
Augusta|News|
Maine Unions Launch Platform To Create Thousands Of Good Jobs, Take On Climate Crisis
The Maine Labor Climate Council is made up of a dozen unions from across the state.