Maine Morning Star - Mainers will vote on the rights of transgender student athletes to access sports teams, bathrooms and locker rooms aligning with their gender identity this November. On Tuesday, the Secretary of State’s Office confirmed that more than valid 70,000 signatures were collected by proponents of the citizen-led ballot initiative, which means the question will be decided on by voters during the midterm elections.
Top of the Morning - Gov. Janet Mills and each of the Wabanaki Nations reached agreement on two bills that initially sought to grant greater self-governing power to the Tribes on Tuesday, though the amended versions are far narrower.
Press Herald - Maine superintendents have been rolling out early drafts of their budgets over the past few weeks, and things aren’t looking great, with districts projecting increases of 5% to 10% over the last fiscal year. Portland, South Portland and Lewiston schools have proposed budgets that would cut a combined 128 positions and increase taxes. Why? Officials say rising salary and health care costs, and declining enrollment, are stressing their books.
Portland will close its shelter for asylum seekers this month due to a rapid decline in use over the past year, attributable to the Trump administration’s hardline immigration policies. The 179-bed facility in the Riverton neighborhood, which housed 157 people at this time last year, now has only one remaining resident who is expected to leave by March 20. The closure will result in 35 layoffs.
