Maine News Tuesday


Some interest facts about Maine from Down East Magazine 
Press Heald - A bill to reform the long-criticized Essential Programs and Services school funding formula received support Monday from school leaders across Maine. The proposal, which includes factoring the local poverty rate into a district’s ability to pay and updating regional adjustments to align with cost-of-living models, is intended to make the distribution of funding more equitable.

Will Maine expand ranked-choice voting to this November’s gubernatorial and state legislative races, or is that an unconstitutional change? The Maine Supreme Judicial Court could settle that debate as soon as next month when it hears arguments tied to a proposal before the Legislature to allow ranked-choice voting in the fall races. Here’s what you need to know about ranked-choice voting, and how it could change later this year.

Child advocates say proposed rule changes by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services would cause some children with disabilities to lose access to Medicaid services. Services offered under the program, known as Section 28, help children learn everyday life skills, such as ordering food at restaurants and interacting with other children. Thousands of children in Maine receive those services. It is unclear how many could lose the benefits.

South Portland schools could cut nearly 80 positions

Maine public defense agency will soon run out of money to pay private lawyers

Funding decision could make or break Portland’s Congress Square Park overhaul

Cumberland-North Yarmouth ed techs protest for new contract


Board strips former Sen. George J. Mitchell’s name from Waterville school