Maine
Maine Legislature returning to work with 1-day extension
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — It is unclear whether or not lawmakers will take up a proposal to offer Native Individuals in Maine the identical sovereignty loved by their counterparts throughout the nation when lawmakers reconvene Monday.
Going through an anticipated veto, the Legislature’s appropriations committee declined to offer the $44,650 wanted to push the invoice throughout the end line when it took up remaining spending payments final final week.
However there could possibly be last-minute negotiations to revive the invoice after the legislative session was prolonged by an additional day.
The proposal would amend the Maine Indian Land Claims Settlement Act of 1980 during which tribes within the state traded a few of their rights to the state in alternate for $81.5 million. Below the settlement, the tribe’s reservations are handled like municipalities, topic to state legislation.
The invoice has created a divide amongst Democrats. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills is against the invoice, and most legislative Democrats help it. The invoice obtained robust help in each chambers of the Legislature.
The appropriations committee did approve a invoice supported by the governor to ship cell sports activities betting income to the tribes. Earlier, the governor signed a invoice to let the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Nice Level regulate its personal consuming water.
In the meantime, additional votes are also obligatory on a invoice to extend oversight of the state’s two main electrical utilities.
The invoice would set up new efficiency benchmarks and add monetary penalties for failure to fulfill them. In excessive circumstances, the utilities may face a compelled sale for repeated violations.
Additionally up for additional votes is a invoice to increase the state’s Good Samaritan legislation.
The Legislature authorised a compromise invoice to increase a legislation shielding individuals who report drug overdoses to earn the governor’s help.
The aim is to encourage individuals to assist as an alternative of declining to dial 911for concern of being arrested, supporters stated. The governor threatened the veto the unique expanded model, saying it went too far.
Assuming lawmakers end their work Monday, they might be anticipated to return to take care of any potential vetoes. The governor has 10 days from the time a invoice is handed to concern a veto.