No primary challenge for Mills, LePage in governor’s race
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine Democratic Gov. Janet Mills and former Republican Gov. Paul LePage have a clear path to their gubernatorial showdown. The deadline for party candidates to submit paperwork to run for governor passed Tuesday with no challengers for Mills or LePage. With no primary challenge, the two candidates can focus on what’s shaping up to be the first two-candidate gubernatorial in decades. It’s still possible other candidates could enter the race, however. The deadline for independents to file isn’t until June 1.
Tribal rights bill advances in face of governor’s opposition
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A proposal to expand tribal sovereignty rights under an amended land claims settlement is advancing in the Maine Legislature. The Judiciary Committee voted 8-6 in favor of the bill on Tuesday but it faces an uncertain future. All Republicans on the committee voted against it, and it faces a possible veto by Democratic Gov. Janet Mills. The bill includes sweeping changes that would give three of Maine’s four tribes expanded authority over fishing, hunting and natural resources on their lands. Supporters say it would give Maine’s tribes the same rights already enjoyed by other tribes across the U.S.
DRIVER DEATH-SCHOOL BUS
Students steer school bus to safety after driver collapses
TOPSHAM, Maine (AP) — A group of Maine middle and high school students grabbed the wheel of their school bus Monday morning when their driver suffered a fatal medical condition. The students were able to steer the vehicle to safety while another classmate attempted to administer first aid to the stricken driver. Topsham Police Chief Marc Hagan thanked the students for their quick, “deliberate action to save lives.” The Portland Press Herald reports the bus was carrying 14 students when the driver collapsed at the wheel. They were able to steer the bus off the road and apply the brakes, stopping the vehicle on an embankment before calling 911 and flagging down traffic.
VEHICULAR CRIMES REVIEW
Maine audits years of vehicular crimes to suspend licenses
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine has announced a new process to make sure the driving licenses of people who commit serious vehicular crimes are being suspended on time. The Portland Press Herald reports that the state says it will also review cases from the last 10 years to see how many suspensions fell threw the cracks. State officials are conducting the review after a recent car crash involved a man who was convicted of killing another driver during a 2019 police chase and should have had license suspended, but did not. The state Bureau of Motor Vehicles said at least four cases that should have been sent to the agency by courts have been identified.
STATE OF THE JUDICIARY
Chief justice delivers bleak assessment of trial backlog
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine’s chief justice says the number of pending court cases in Maine has increased about 45% compared to pre—pandemic levels, and there’s little hope of eliminating the backlog anytime soon. Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Valerie Stanfill delivered that bleak assessment to lawmakers Tuesday. She said the “uncomfortable reality” is that the state’s legal system lacks the ability to hear more cases with its existing resources, making it difficult to get caught up on pending cases. For now, she said the numbers are “holding steady.”
VIRUS OUTBREAK-MAINE
Maine Rep. Jared Golden says he tested positive for COVID-19
LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — U.S. Rep. Jared Golden of Maine says he has tested positive for COVID-19 and that he’s resting. The Democrat tweeted Tuesday that he has mild symptoms and will vote by proxy from home. It’s unclear where he contracted the virus. A spokesperson says the congressman has been vaccinated and has received his vaccine booster, as well. Last summer, Sen. Angus King, an independent, contracted the virus and suffered more serious symptoms. King credited the vaccine for keeping him out of the hospital.
VETERANS HOME CLOSURE
Maine gov proposes $3.5M to save 2 veterans homes
CARIBOU, Maine (AP) — Maine’s governor says she will dedicate $3.5 million to help keep homes for veterans open in northern. Maine Veterans’ Homes in Machias and Caribou are slated to close this spring. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills said Tuesday she has proposed using $1.75 million from the state’s general fund and $1.75 million in federal money to keep the homes open. Mills says the proposal will help keep the homes open for at least one more year. She says that will open the door for a potential long-term solution.
MAINE STATE HOUSE
Maine State House closed for 2nd day because of flooding
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine State House is closed for a second day after burst water pipes flooded part of the building. The entire building was evacuated Monday when water flooded the first floor and the tunnel connecting it with the Cross Office Building. Workers were still cleaning up Tuesday. Senate President Troy Jackson and House Speaker Ryan Fecteau said operations were continuing remotely and they’ll be assessing the situation daily. The full Legislature is currently scheduled to convene on Thursday.