As Maine’s July 14 primary election looms amid a pandemic, state and local officials are still working out how to keep voting accessible to all while minimizing exposure to the coronavirus. The deadline to make the primary all-absentee is June 14.
Politics
Petition threatens to derail solar incentives across New England
Filed while the solar industry is reeling from the economic impacts of the coronavirus and state governments are focused on the pandemic, the petition could roll back net metering and unravel one of Gov. Mills’ key efforts to boost clean energy in Maine.
Maine enters recession in wake of virus
The coronavirus has caused an “unprecedented” economic downturn in Maine. Spikes in unemployment claims have broken the formulas economists use to predict what may come next. The Maine Monitor spoke with four Maine economists and one finance professor about vulnerabilities in the state economy and how it will get back on track.
Stay-at-home order threatens to derail independent Maine candidates
The state’s social-distancing requirements and a decision on notarizations by Gov. Janet Mills have made it increasingly difficult for independent Senate candidates to qualify for the Maine ballot.
Maine prepares arenas for next wave of coronavirus patients
A single 250-bed federal medical station is all Maine has to expand its hospital capacity statewide. Used in New York following Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the second-hand medical station has no medical supplies and only limited durable medical equipment, including cots and hand-washing stations, yet it will be the backbone of the next phase of Maine’s response to the virus
Stockpile crash
Maine invested millions of federal dollars in protective medical equipment and emergency ventilators to prepare its hospitals for infectious disease, bioterrorism and mass casualty events. Yet, years of spending cuts left Maine’s three regional resource centers strapped for cash to replace aging and expiring medical supplies.
Legislative Limbo
More than 400 pieces of Maine legislation are in limbo, including measures to reform the state’s criminal justice system, following the sudden adjournment of the Legislature last week because of concerns about the spread of coronavirus. There is urgency to decide on these bills before new representatives are elected in November.
Maine reduces jail population amid coronavirus concerns
Maine is reducing its jail population as the state aims to avoid potential exposure of staff and inmates to COVID-19, the illness widely known as coronavirus, inside its locked facilities.
A reminder to avoid a remand?
More than 9,000 people are incarcerated in Maine jails every year for one simple reason: They didn’t show up for their court date. Advocates say a text message system that would send court date reminders to defendants’ cell phones could help reduce that number. Others say a paper reminder should be enough.
A district divided
Washington County officials, feeling neglected by the district attorney they share with Hancock County, want their own prosecutorial district to help address the growth of drug-related offenses. The unequal relationship between the counties highlights a disparity in Maine’s district court system.
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