Mal Leary
Maine Public
Augusta, ME, United States
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Past articles by Mal:
Third Navy Destroyer Ship Wins Initial Approval From U.S. House Appropriations Committee
Maine’s delegation has been pressing for the third ship on behalf of Bath Iron Works. → Read More
Collins, King Split On Voting Rights Bill That's Stalled In Senate
Maine’s two U.S. senators have split over the controversial bill that would overhaul how elections are conducted and that has stalled in the Senate. → Read More
Maine House Approves Bill That Would Close Intelligence Sharing 'Fusion' Center
The Maine House has approved a measure that would abolish the Maine Information and Analysis Center, also called a “fusion center," that allows for quick sharing of information between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. → Read More
Rep. Golden Part Of Bipartisan Group Proposing $1.25 Trillion Infrastructure Package
Democratic Congressman Jared Golden of Maine says he and other members of the bipartisan “problem solvers caucus” have been working for months on a $1.25 trillion infrastructure proposal, with money for highways, ports, rail, broadband and veterans housing. → Read More
Dozens Weigh In On Mills Proposal For Spending Federal Relief Funds
Over 50 people testified before the Legislature's Appropriation Committee Wednesday on Gov. Janet Mills’ plan for allocating over $1 billion in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. → Read More
Senate Approves Limits On Vanity License Plates
The Maine state senate is backing a measure aimed at restoring restrictions on vulgar and obscene plates. → Read More
Two Weeks, Hundreds Of Bills: Maine Lawmakers To Meet Every Day This Week
For the first time this session, the Maine Legislature will meet every day this week, at it has only two weeks to handle hundreds of bills, including a supplemental budget and allocation of nearly $1 billion dollars from the Federal Recovery Act. → Read More
House Approves Bill That Would Divest Maine's Retirement System From Fossil Fuel Industry
The measure would immediately block any further investments in the fossil fuel industry by the State Retirement System or the state Treasurer. → Read More
Lawmaker Reprimanded For Not Wearing Mask On House Floor
Paris Rep. John Andrews, the only Libertarian in the Maine House, was reprimanded for his refusal to wear a face covering on the House floor. Andrews told the House Ethics Committee that his was an act of civil disobedience. → Read More
Proposed Consumer Buyout Of CMP, Versant Endorsed By Legislative Committee
The Legislature’s committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology voted 9-2 on Tuesday in support of legislation to create a consumer owned utility, Pine Tree Power, that would replace investor-owned Central Maine Power and Versant. → Read More
Sen. Collins Says She's Working With Bipartisan Group On Infrastructure Compromise
Collins says she has been working with seven other senators, four from each party, on a compromise measure they hope will win the approval of both parties and the President. → Read More
State Electoral District Decisions Will Likely Be Delayed Due To Pandemic
The delays have created a constitutional crisis that the panel has asked the Maine Supreme Court to help resolve. Apportionments are decided using federal census population figures, which will not be made available to the commission until mid-August. → Read More
Legislative Committee Backs Proposed Limits On Maine Agencies Using Facial Recognition Software
Maine could become one of the first states in the nation to adopt limits on the use of facial recognition software by government agencies. → Read More
Legislative Committee Endorses Proposal To Decriminalize Prostitution In Maine
The panel voted 6-to-3 for an amended bill that would abolish criminal penalties for the first-time offenders, but it would allow criminal penalties for repeat offenders. → Read More
Legislation Proposed To Give Whistleblowers The Right To Sue
The legislation would allow a whistleblower to hire their own attorneys to file a lawsuit that would move forward only if the attorney general or the agency took legal action against the employer. → Read More
As Lawmakers Head Back To State House, Another Disagreement Over Masking
Maine's Legislative Council has unanimously voted to start using the State House once again for meetings and sessions of the legislature starting next week. But Republicans and Democrats sparred over mask requirements. → Read More
Maine Lawmakers Considering Extending Free School Meals After Pandemic
As part of its response to the pandemic, the federal government is providing free school meals to all students, not just those that meet low-income standards. But Maine lawmakers are considering a bill that would have the state pick up that cost when the federal funding ends next year. → Read More
Maine House Narrowly Approves $16-An-Hour Minimum Wage For School Workers
The Maine House of Representatives has approved a measure requiring that all public school workers, from teacher aides to kitchen staff, be paid a minimum wage of $16-an-hour. Under current law, the minimum salary for teachers is $40,000 a year. → Read More
Republicans Seek Bigger Role As Maine Lawmakers Consider Huge Spending Bills
Republican leaders and members of the Appropriations committee told reporters outside the State House Monday that both parties should have a say in the two huge spending bills coming before the Maine Legislature. → Read More
Some Parents Of Special Ed Students Oppose Proposed Ban On Seclusion, Restraints In Schools
Legislation that would ban the use of seclusion and restraints in Maine's public schools is drawing opposition from some parents of special education students. → Read More