Former gubernatorial candidate’s homes searched by police
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine State Police have executed search warrants at two homes owned by former independent gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler.
Tax records indicate homes that were searched on Wednesday in Portland and in Brooklin were owned by Eliot Cutler and his wife. Cutler, 75, declined to comment to The Associated Press. No charges have been filed.
Cutler, a wealthy attorney, launched his first gubernatorial campaign in 2010 as an independent and narrowly lost to Republican Paul LePage.
He lost again to LePage in 2014.
Residents told to shelter in place because of fire in Maine
BELFAST, Maine (AP) — Residents near a burning food-processing plant are being urged to shelter in place. Firefighters were battling a massive fire that started early Thursday at the Penobscot McCrum plant, which processes potatoes.
There were no immediate reports of injuries. The Waldo County Emergency Management Agency urged residents within a quarter-mile (0.4 kilometers) to shelter in place. A spokesperson said the plant had ammonia tanks that didn’t appear to be threatened but nonetheless were a concern.
RANKED-CHOICE VOTING BILL
Maine House approves bill on adopting ranked-choice voting
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A bill that will allow Maine municipalities the choice to adopt ranked-choice voting has passed the state House. The Portland Press Herald reported the bill passed the House Tuesday with a 75-61 vote and now heads to the Senate. The bill’s sponsor is Democratic Rep. Seth Berry, who says it would expand the option of ranked-choice voting to 413 unchartered municipalities that do not have a charter outlining election decisions. During elections, unchartered towns follow state law, which requires them to decide elections through a plurality. Ranked-choice voting is used in state primary elections and federal elections.
FATAL FIRE
1 child killed, 2 hurt in northern Maine apartment fire
HOULTON, Maine (AP) — Police say a 4-year-old boy was killed and two other children were hurt in an apartment fire in northern Maine. The fire happened Wednesday morning in Houlton at a three-story multi-unit building. Police say the fire killed the boy and a 4-year-old girl was treated at a local hospital for smoke inhalation. They say a 12-year-old boy was also taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland for burn injuries. Police say the three children were home alone at the time of the fire. They say investigators from the fire marshal’s office would conduct an investigation into the fire.
DENTAL INSURANCE
Lawmakers approve plan to increase dental insurance value
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine legislators are considering a law change to try to make dental insurance a better value for consumers in the state. The proposal is based on the Affordable Care Act rule that requires health insurers to have an 80% medical loss ratio. The lawmakers say that means the insurers spend 80 cents of every dollar on customers claims and on items that improve care quality. The ACA does not require the same standard for dental insurance. Democratic Maine Sen. Heather Sanborn has proposed a bill to try to change that. The Maine Senate unanimously passed the bill on Tuesday.
STUDENT LOAN RELIEF
Maine Senate approves student loan relief for home buyers
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine is close to approving a proposal to forgive up to $40,000 in student loan debt for some first-time home buyers. The Maine Senate voted in favor of the proposal on Tuesday. The Portland Press Herald reports the state might make the program available to income-qualified buyers who agree to live in the home for at least five years. The proposal does not require the home buyers to have graduated. Supporters say it’s based on a similar program in Maryland.
RURAL LAWYERS
One of US’s most rural states looks to expand rural law
FORT KENT, Maine (AP) — One of the U.S.’s most rural states is looking to improve access to lawyers for residents who live far from urban areas. The Maine Senate on Tuesday unanimously passed a proposal from Democratic Senate President Troy Jackson that would authorize the University of Maine School of Law to open a satellite rural legal aid clinic in Fort Kent. Jackson, who represents a district in far northern Maine, said the move is about protecting the rights of rural Mainers while creating opportunities for young people to pursue legal education.
UTILITY REFORM BILL
Maine senate committee fails to agree on utility reform bill
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A Maine legislative committee has failed to compromise on the provisions of a utility reform bill that seeks to introduce new accountability measures for electric utilities in the state. The Portland Press Herald reports the senate committee members were split three ways on the bill in a vote Friday. That means the full state legislature will consider the different versions of the bill with a vote in the senate expected next month. Last month, Gov. Janet Mills introduced the bill that attempts to fix utility performance issues by forcing companies to meet regulatory standards around customer service, complaints, reliability and power restoration.