Jonathan Bush unveils tax policy plan Republican gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Bush used Tax Day to make a pledge: If elected, he says he'll impose sweeping tax cuts in all income brackets by $1 billion.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Bush used Tax Day to make a pledge: If elected, he says he'll impose sweeping tax cuts in all income brackets by $1 billion.

www.mainepublic.org/politics/2026-04-15/jona...

Janet Mills holds low-key town hall at Bowdoin College as questions surround Senate bid The event, not publicized in advance by her campaign, came as the two-term governor tries to gain ground against rival Democrat Graham Platner. The two candidates are vying for the chance to take on Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November.

The event, not publicized in advance by her campaign, came as the two-term governor tries to gain ground against rival Democrat Graham Platner. The two candidates are vying for the chance to take on Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November.

https://bit.ly/4cM7uCf

Graham Platner unveils tax plan that includes 5% tax on wealth over a billion dollars Platner said that by making the wealthy pay their fair share, it will prevent local property tax hikes by keeping federal funding flowing to the states.

Platner said that by making the wealthy pay their fair share, it will prevent local property tax hikes by keeping federal funding flowing to the states.

www.mainepublic.org/politics/2026-04-15/grah...

Maine lawmakers adjourn with unfinished business, may return to handle vetoes State lawmakers wrapped up their legislative session a day early on Tuesday but left several issues unresolved.

State lawmakers wrapped up their legislative session a day early on Tuesday but left several issues unresolved.

www.mainepublic.org/politics/2026-04-15/main...

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Hannah Pingree unveils affordability plan Among other things, the plan calls for an investment of $100 million a year in affordable housing development, creation of a public health insurance option for Mainers, and expansion of universal free...

Among other things, the plan calls for an investment of $100 million a year in affordable housing development, creation of a public health insurance option for Mainers, and expansion of universal free pre-K.
https://bit.ly/4co1MoP

New law aims to get Mainers to use "off peak" electricity The measure creates a pilot program to educate consumers about lower electric prices for shifting power to times of less demand.

The measure creates a pilot program to educate consumers about lower electric prices for shifting power to times of less demand.
www.mainepublic.org/climate/2026-04-14/new-l...

Portland civil engineer sues ICE agents who smashed his car window and detained him in January Juan Sebastián Carvajal-Muñoz is seeking damages under the Maine Civil Rights Act.

Juan Sebastián Carvajal-Muñoz is seeking damages under the Maine Civil Rights Act.

www.mainepublic.org/immigration/2026-04-14/p...

State to provide ongoing funding for Land for Maine's Future program Founded in the 1980s, the program has relied on intermittent funding over the years, and had recently run low on funds.

Founded in the 1980s, the program has relied on intermittent funding over the years, and had recently run low on funds.

www.mainepublic.org/climate/2026-04-14/state...

Troy Jackson unveils plan that would increase newly passed millionaires tax It's one of a handful of measures that Jackson said could boost state-funded programs. Jackson also proposed raising the top corporate tax rate on profits over $3.5 million by 1%, which he said could generate an additional $50 million in total tax revenue.

It's one of a handful of measures that Jackson said could boost state-funded programs. Jackson also proposed raising the top corporate tax rate on profits over $3.5 million by 1%, which he said could generate an additional $50 million in total tax revenue.

https://bit.ly/4eo5elT

Maine lawmakers approve measure to create new state advocate for children Democratic Representative Lori Gramlich developed the proposal and says the Office of the Child Advocate will replace an Ombudsman program that was focused only on children in the welfare system.

Democratic Representative Lori Gramlich developed the proposal and says the Office of the Child Advocate will replace an Ombudsman program that was focused only on children in the welfare system.
https://bit.ly/3Q7JUXZ

Maine Legislature passes first in the nation ban on data centers Governor Janet Mills says the measure needs to have an exemption for a project in Jay to get her support.

Governor Janet Mills says the measure needs to have an exemption for a project in Jay to get her support.
www.mainepublic.org/climate/2026-04-13/maine...

Maine had one of the lowest economic growth rates in the country last year GDP grew by 0.6% last year, according to the state economist's office.

GDP grew by 0.6% last year, according to the state economist's office.
www.mainepublic.org/business-and-economy/202...

Ground broken for new Portland waterfront park The city is beginning work to turn a parking lot into a park on the city's eastern waterfront.

The city is beginning work to turn a parking lot into a park on the city's eastern waterfront.

www.mainepublic.org/environment-and-outdoors...

Maine lawmakers advance bill strengthening tenant privacy protections The Maine Legislature has approved a bill to restrict landlords' ability to share personal information about their tenants, including their immigration status.

The Maine Legislature has approved a bill to restrict landlords' ability to share personal information about their tenants, including their immigration status.

www.mainepublic.org/politics/2026-04-13/main...

Portland city council weighs reinforcing ban on cooperating with immigration agents The council is set to take up a first reading of an amendment to city code on Monday.

The council is set to take up a first reading of an amendment to city code on Monday.

www.mainepublic.org/immigration/2026-04-13/p...

New data document Maine gas leaks A 2025 state law mandates gas utilities to publicly report all leaks in their system.

A 2025 state law mandates gas utilities to publicly report all leaks in their system.

www.mainepublic.org/climate/2026-04-13/new-d...

Protect the art, or the planet? The Portland Museum of Art is working on both Paintings and other museum collection objects are sensitive to heat, humidity and sudden shifts in temperature -- that's why museums have traditionally followed strict climate controls to protect their collections. But energy costs and climate impacts ...

Museums have traditionally followed strict climate controls to protect their collections. But energy costs and climate impacts are prompting some museums to rethink their approach.
https://bit.ly/4spjYo0

Mills signs budget with money for free community college, $300 rebate checks During a signing ceremony at Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor, Mills said she considers the tuition-free program one of the most significant achievements of her tenure. Other aspects of the budget bill -- which passed without any Republican su...

During a signing ceremony at Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor, Mills said she considers the tuition-free program one of the most significant achievements of her tenure.
https://bit.ly/4tA5mTO

State budget includes funding to shield reproductive health care providers from federal cuts Starting in 2027, Planned Parenthood and Maine Family Planning will receive $5 million a year.

Starting in 2027, Planned Parenthood and Maine Family Planning will receive $5 million a year.
www.mainepublic.org/health/2026-04-10/state-...

Maine Legislature scuttles home security fund for lawmakers The bill would have created a $450,000 fund that would have allowed lawmakers to purchase security systems. It was pitched as a way to deal with increased threats against legislators, but opponents argued taxpayers shouldn't finance it when citizens can...

The bill would have created a $450,000 fund that would have allowed lawmakers to purchase security systems. It was pitched as a way to deal with increased threats against legislators, but opponents argued taxpayers shouldn't finance it when citizens can face threats, too.
https://bit.ly/41YF1Tw

Maine Legislature nixes speed camera pilot program The bill was proposed as a way to protect roadside workers from drivers speeding in construction zones, but it ran into bipartisan concerns over the collection of location and personal data.

The bill was proposed as a way to protect roadside workers from drivers speeding in construction zones, but it ran into bipartisan concerns over the collection of location and personal data.

www.mainepublic.org/politics/2026-04-10/main...

Republican gubernatorial candidate withdraws after failing to qualify for public financing The Maine Ethics Commission also said staff found evidence of potential fraud by one of the individuals collecting small-dollar donations for Jim Libby's campaign.

The Maine Ethics Commission also said staff found evidence of potential fraud by one of the individuals collecting small-dollar donations for Jim Libby's campaign.

https://bit.ly/4mlaSHF

Charges dropped against group that blocked Portland street to protest war in Gaza A spokesperson for the DA's office says their caseload is at 120% of pre-pandemic levels and they couldn't justify taking the misdemeanor cases to trial while cases involving serious harm to victims continue to wait.

A spokesperson for the DA's office says their caseload is at 120% of pre-pandemic levels and they couldn't justify taking the misdemeanor cases to trial while cases involving serious harm to victims continue to wait.
https://bit.ly/4tCQrbo

Portland Police arrest suspect in 2017 murder of Tom Yamada, an unhoused man known for his kindness At a news conference Thursday, investigators did not say what led them to charge 42-year-old Stephen M. Versluis, Jr. but do say working with multiple agencies and the community was vital.

At a news conference Thursday, investigators did not say what led them to charge 42-year-old Stephen M. Versluis, Jr. but do say working with multiple agencies and the community was vital.
https://bit.ly/4t4iYa8

Border Patrol arrest 4 British men on the Golden Road for alleged illegal border crossing Two U.S. citizens were also taken into custody on suspicion of aiding the four British men.

Two U.S. citizens were also taken into custody on suspicion of aiding the four British men.
www.mainepublic.org/immigration/2026-04-09/b...

Portland Museum of Art officially acquires 4 downtown properties from MaineHealth MaineHealth will move its headquarters offices and about 300 employees to a building it owns in Westbrook.

MaineHealth will move its headquarters offices and about 300 employees to a building it owns in Westbrook.
www.mainepublic.org/business-and-economy/202...

Maine lawmakers advance budget bill that includes $300 rebate checks, 'millionaires tax' Democrats in the Maine House and Senate advanced a spending bill early Thursday that imposes a new tax on millionaires and sends $300 rebate checks to hundreds of thousands of Mainers.

Democrats in the Maine House and Senate advanced a spending bill early Thursday that imposes a new tax on millionaires and sends $300 rebate checks to hundreds of thousands of Mainers.

www.mainepublic.org/politics/2026-04-09/main...

Purchase agreement makes future of adult day care in Blue Hill more secure The agencies took over programs at Friendship Cottage last fall from financially troubled DownEast Community Partners.

The agencies took over programs at Friendship Cottage last fall from financially troubled DownEast Community Partners.
www.mainepublic.org/health/2026-04-08/future...

FocusMaine announces completion of 10-year economic initiative FocusMaine officials cited the creation of the Maine Life Sciences Center at the Maine Technology Institute and the creation of 1,500 jobs as some of its accomplishments.

FocusMaine officials cited the creation of the Maine Life Sciences Center at the Maine Technology Institute and the creation of 1,500 jobs as some of its accomplishments.
https://bit.ly/4skH67e

Portland weighing the fate of the historic Expo The Portland Expo, which was built in 1915, faces more than $30 million in repairs.

The Portland Expo, which was built in 1915, faces more than $30 million in repairs.
www.mainepublic.org/business-and-economy/202...