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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senators Angus King (I-Maine), and Richard Burr (R-N.C.) reintroduced the Repay Act, bipartisan legislation to reform federal student loan
In line with President Biden’s directive, Governor Janet Mills announced today that her Administration is accelerating the schedule of Maine’s vaccination plan to make all Maine adults eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine by May 1.
“From the day we received our first shipment of vaccines, we have been determined to get as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible, focusing our limited supply first on those who are most at risk of dying from COVID-19. With the Biden Administration promising to increase
Posted March 11th, 2021:
Senator says legislation will “beat this virus down and lift our economy up”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) celebrated as President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan¸ a desperately-needed and overdue comprehensive COVID-19 relief bill, into law. The legislative package contains key provisions supported by Senator King that will help bring this deadly pandemic under control and provide critical support
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined the Belfast Rotary Club to provide an update on his work in the Senate to combat the coronavirus pandemic’s health threats and economic toll. During the call with over 40 members from the Belfast area, Senator King highlighted the passage of the American Rescue Plan through Congress and the need to stay vigilant in our fight against COVID-19, including his recent bipartisan push with Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) urging the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to monitor and track COVID-19 variants that could contribute to future outbreaks.
“We are entering a new phase in the fight
The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) has appointed three faculty members to endowed chairs in order to further research into Alzheimer’s disease, addiction, cancer and computational biology.
Gregory Carter, Ph.D. , has been appointed to The
Waterville, Maine – The North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Presidents' Council today announced plans to return to conference competition this spring.
Previously planned spring sport conference schedules were replaced by updated models designed to minimize risk of exposure to COVID-19 while maximizing the experience for student athletes. Members will follow NCAA guidelines for the safe return to collegiate athletics, as well as directives from all federal,
In an ongoing effort to recognize individuals of our time who embody courageous journalism, Colby College today announced that it will honor Leonard Pitts Jr. with this year’s Elijah Parish Lovejoy Award.
Leonard Pitts is an American commentator, journalist, and novelist. Currently writing for the Miami Herald, he is well known for his nationally syndicated column that often addresses issues of race, politics, and culture.
Leonard Pitts Jr. is a social issues columnist for the Miami Herald. He is the recipient of Colby’s 2021 Elijah Parish Lovejoy Award.
Lovejoy, 1826 valedictorian at Colby, was a
Package Will Cut Childhood Poverty in Half by Creating Nation’s First-Ever Periodic Child Benefit; Help Lift 15,000 Maine Children Out of Poverty
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today voted for final passage of the American Rescue Plan, historic legislation that makes investments to crush the virus, create millions of jobs, provide direct relief to working families, and help schools safely open. Pingree previously voted for the legislation when it passed the U.S. House on February 27; today’s vote incorporated the U.S. Senate’s amendments to the relief package.
“The American Rescue Plan, historic
Chancellor Malloy and the presidents, law dean of Maine’s public universities ask faculty and staff to prepare to provide students with traditional, in-person college experience and a return to near normalcy in fall 2021
Six-foot physical distancing, mask wearing, and continued COVID-19 asymptomatic testing will continue to be among the guidelines and practices in place for spring semester, commencement planning as UMS issues updated guidance based on Moving Maine Forward Plan
Orono, Maine — The University of Maine System is preparing to welcome students back to campuses for a traditional, in-person college experience at the start of the fall semester. New guidance posted today by the University of Maine System alerts faculty and staff to plan for classroom instruction, residence hall occupancy, and campus-based activities for community members that resemble pre pandemic operations.
“Maine is moving forward responsibly,” said
“In addition to their impressive academic and
“Every year, DAV provides support to more than
The Invest in Our Democracy Act would direct the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to provide grants in support of continuing education in election administration or cybersecurity for election officials and employees.
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced legislation to strengthen our elections by providing advanced training to state and local election officials. The jobs of election administrators have become more complex and demanding as state and local officials have had to make elections resilient during the pandemic while foreign adversaries have continued to target our elections. The Invest in Our Democracy Act would direct the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to provide grants in support of continuing education in election administration or cybersecurity for election officials and employees.
“Elections are the cornerstone of our democracy, and it is vital that we safeguard this institution in the midst of the current public health and economic crisis,” said Senator Collins. “In an effort to defend this cornerstone of our democracy, our bipartisan bill would help provide training and support to election officials who are dedicated to keeping our elections safe and secure.”
“Our intelligence officials have made clear that our election systems continue to be a target for foreign adversaries,” said Senator Klobuchar. “While federal and state officials have agreed that the 2020 election was ‘the most secure in American history,’ we must continue to do everything in our power to protect our democracy from the ongoing threat of foreign interference. That means making sure those who are on the front lines of administering elections have the training and resources they need to safeguard our election systems. The Invest in Our Democracy Act would ensure that election officials are prepared to improve cyber-defenses and election administration practices ahead of future elections.”
The Invest in Our Democracy Act of 2021 would:
● Establish a grant program administered by the Election Assistance Commission to cover up to 75 percent of the cost of the yearly tuition of election officials and employees who are enrolled in an accredited certificate program for election administration or cybersecurity.
● Define eligible persons to include state or local election officials, employees of a State or local election official, or an employee of the EAC.
● Provide $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2023 and such sums necessary for each fiscal years between 2024 and 2030.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Ranking Member of the Housing Appropriations Subcommittee, announced that Portland Housing Authority (PHA) has been awarded a total of $882,883 through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Tenant Protection Voucher (TPV) program.
“Maine’s housing authorities provide an array of
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) voted to confirm Merrick Garland as Attorney General, whom the Senate approved by a vote of 70 to 30. A longtime advocate for the independence of the Department of Justice (DOJ), in his statement below Senator King highlights Garland’s experience and temperament, in addition to emphasizing the need for apolitical leadership of the DOJ.
“The Attorney General is the country’s lawyer,
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the House of Representatives passing the American Rescue Plan as amended by the Senate, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), co-chair of the Senate Broadband Caucus, is celebrating the legislation’s historic investments in infrastructure that will begin to close the digital divide and ensure that more Americans can access the affordable, high-speed broadband that has facilitated commerce, education, and medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic. After negotiations between the White House and Senate leaders including Senator King and Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) , the American Rescue Plan included $10 billion in funding for broadband, as well as more than $7 billion to close the digital divide for students nationwide. Senator King voted in favor of the American Rescue Plan on Saturday, and published an op-ed in the Portland Press Herald over the weekend emphasizing the benefits of the plan for Maine people.
“As the coronavirus pandemic forced people
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined over 150 colleagues in the Senate and the House of Representatives to urge the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to rescind the former administration’s Title X policies, including the
AUGUSTA, March 8, 2021 — Maine voters approved a bond package in 2018 that included $5 million dollars for vital infrastructure improvements at municipal stream crossings. These monies fund competitive grants that match local funding for the upgrade of culverts at stream crossings on municipal roads. The awarded projects will benefit public infrastructure and safety by replacing failing culverts that are at risk of complete washout or collapse; reduce flooding and increase resiliency with the installation or larger, higher capacity and longer-lived crossings. The upgraded crossings will also benefit fish and wildlife by opening and reconnecting stream habitat fragmented by undersized and impassable culverts, represent a cost-effective and efficient investment, and match local funds committed to the project.
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection
AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry's (DACF) Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources seeks project applications for the 2021 Agricultural Development Grant (ADG) program. DACF expects to award up to $250,000 in 2021.
ADG awards support projects involving market
AUGUSTA – State Representative Daniel Newman (R-Belgrade) is pleased to announce that the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) Work Plan for Calendar Years 2021, 2022 and 2023 is available. The estimated value of work in the plan totals more than 2,180 individual work items with a total value of $2.71 billion.
The MDOT Work Plan for House District 76 includes projects totaling $4,510,000 for towns of Belgrade, Fayette, Mount Vernon, Rome, Vienna and Wayne.
The work includes $2 million for Well claims
Maine school personnel have been leading the country in their offering of in-person instruction since September. They have been teaching and reinforcing the safety requirements for keeping schools open and have demonstrated amazing flexibility, adaptability, and ongoing quick thinking, ensuring that schools can continue serving students through the many vital services that schools provide to our communities. As we continue to make progress in this ongoing battle against the pandemic, Maine schools and the staff who make them run continue to serve students.
A few of Maine’s students joined Commissioner Makin recently to help craft a special message, thanking schools staff for their amazing work in ensuring the health and safety of everyone at school.
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The United States Department of Agriculture announced that it is making an additional $35 million available this year in the Value-Added Producer Grant Program to support agricultural producers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding is made possible through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. In total, $76 million is available.
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**MAJOR TRAFFIC ALERT**
Upcoming I-295 Exit 7 Ramp Closures as Part of Back Cove South Storage Facility Work
Eight weeks of ramp closures to begin March 15
PORTLAND, Maine -- The City's Back Cove South Storage Facility project is entering its next phase of work, which is to connect the existing utilities (new or replaced) within the intersection of Marginal Way and Franklin Street to the new storage tanks under the Preble Street playing fields. As a result, there will be an approximate eight week period of alternating closures to the on and off ramps of the I-295 Exit 7 (Franklin St) interchange beginning March 15. The City will be placing variable message boards with the latest ramp closure information in the vicinity of the work. The ramp closures will vary during the eight week timeframe so motorists should pay attention to the message boards or make plans to seek alternate routes during this time.
This project is one of the City's latest sewer separation projects to prevent combined sewer overflows into Back Cove. The work to reduce overflows is part of the City's agreement with the U.S. EPA to reduce and eliminate the flow of combined waste being discharged. A combined sewer system transports wastewater from home, industries, and businesses, as well as storm water collected from streets, parking lots, roofs, and yards to the East End Wastewater Treatment Plant. A combined sewer overflow occurs when the combined sewer capacity is overwhelmed during heavy rain events and a mix of sewer and storm water is discharged into Back Cove.
The Department of Public Works has been coordinating with the prime contractor, Sargent Corporation, and the Maine Department of Transportation to put forth a sequencing and staging plan as part of a traffic control plan to minimize the impacts to the traveling public. MaineDOT has requested that all work be completed by Memorial Day, May 31, 2021.
Work Detail
Installation of approximately 750 feet of 72" Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) pipe (to replace failing pipe), including the installation of new CSO structure, backflow prevention and outfall.
Installation of approximately 850 feet of 8x6 box culvert storm drain including new outfall with backflow prevention.
Installation of approximately 1,500 feet of 12-inch force main (to the intersection of Marginal Way and Diamond Street).
Associated work including staging, excavation, shoring, other underground utility installation (storm drainage and electrical), road reconstruction, sidewalk construction, fencing, guardrail, paving, striping and signage.
The project schedule and related graphics can be found on the City of Portland Public Works website.
UMaine’s strategic pursuit of research activity under President Joan Ferrini-Mundy and the research team pushes investments in innovation and discovery to record heights
Chancellor Dannel Malloy asks President Ferrini-Mundy to lead unified research effort, and updates existing roles in the System Office to prioritize strategic initiatives and data-driven decision-making
Orono, Maine — Research investments and expenditures at the University of Maine have increased dramatically over the year amidst a strategic pursuit of research activity being promoted by UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy and others at UMaine and the University of Maine System. More than $92.4 million in investments in Maine and its universities are being reported in the FY 2020 draft Maine Economic Improvement Fund Annual Report presented to the University of Maine System Board of Trustees Finance, Facilities and Technology Committee at its March 3 meeting.
The Maine Economic Improvement Fund (MEIF),
BREAKING: Waldoboro, Maine - Firefighters are working to put out a fire on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021 at 56 Weaver Rd. in Waldoboro, Maine.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins joined a bipartisan group of Senators in introducing the EAGLES Act, legislation named after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School’s mascot in Parkland, Florida, that would expand the U.S. Secret Service’s National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) with a greater focus on school violence prevention.
“No child should feel unsafe in the classroom, and it is imperative that we take action to ensure that schools are a safe learning environment for students, teachers, and staff,” said Senator Collins. “This legislation would improve research and training to prevent targeted violence, including threats to schools. This is one of many commonsense steps we can take to protect school communities so that students can focus on their studies.”
The NTAC was created in 1998 to develop evidence-based indicators for various types of targeted violence, including school violence. NTAC’s findings can then be used to develop best practices and training to prevent future acts of violence. Since 2002, the Secret Service has conducted hundreds of training operations for more than 198,000 school administrators, teachers, counselors, mental health professionals, school resource officers and other public safety partners. The EAGLES Act reauthorizes and expands NTAC, allowing it to scale up its threat assessment operations, with a particular focus on school safety.
The legislation establishes a national program on targeted school violence prevention and provides additional resources to expand research and training on a national scale. Through the bill’s school safety initiative, the NTAC will coordinate trainings and plans with the Department of Justice and Department of Education. The bill also requires the Secret Service to provide periodic progress reports to Congress.
In addition to Senator Collins, the EAGLES Act is cosponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH). A bipartisan, bicameral counterpart was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a co-author of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), sent a letter calling on the Biden Administration to ensure that eligible small employers and their employees are able to access the PPP regardless of a change in business ownership.
Previous guidance issued last year advised that
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins met with more than a dozen eighth grade students from Bay Ridge Elementary School in Cutler via Zoom today.
“I had a great conversation with this impressive group of students from Bay Ridge Elementary School in Cutler,” said Senator Collins. “I always encourage students in Maine to believe in themselves and relentlessly pursue their dreams. These bright young people have the opportunity to be future scientists, educators, business leaders, engineers, or Senators.”
Bay Ridge Elementary School is part of AOS 96, the Machias Bay Area School System.
Washington, D.C. –U.S. Senator Susan Collins met with the leaders of Career and Technical Education (CTE) centers based in Houlton, Dexter, and Sanford.
“Job training programs are proven, successful tools that help people gain the skills they need to prepare for rewarding careers,” said Senator Collins. “I enjoyed speaking with these CTE leaders in northern, central, and southern Maine who are helping students access this career pathway, opening doors to good-paying jobs, and making it easier for businesses to find qualified workers. Hands-on learning is an indispensable component of CTE, and these educators have done a commendable job maintaining in-person learning while keeping students and faculty safe during the pandemic.”
The Zoom call participants included Dave Keaton, Director of Region Two School of Applied Technology in Houlton; Kathy Sargent, Director of the Sanford Regional Technical Center; and Sarah Hanson, Student Services Coordinator at Dexter Regional CTE. The CTE leaders thanked Senator Collins for her continued support of CTE programs.
Senator Collins is a champion for job training programs across Maine. Last month, she introduced the Gateway to Careers Act, which would support partnerships between community and technical colleges and workforce development partners such as state workforce development boards, industry associations, and community-based organizations. In addition, Senator Collins helped secure $1.34 billion for CTE in the FY21 appropriations package.
The RESTAURANTS Act would provide support to small businesses reeling from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) renewed his support for the Real Economic Support That Acknowledges Unique Restaurant Assistance Needed to Survive (RESTAURANTS) Act. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation, which Senator King first cosponsored when it initially was introduced last summer, establishes a $120 billion revitalization fund to support independent restaurants and small franchisees who are facing immense, long-term challenges as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Maine’s restaurants are central parts of our
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Municipal Planning Assistance Program seeks applications for a new round of Coastal Community Grants for FY 2022. The grants are for municipal and regional projects in Maine's Coastal Zone. Funding for those technical assistance grants comes from Maine Coastal Program's annual grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
AUGUSTA— The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced today that the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has placed its first order (PDF) for doses of the newly authorized Johnson & Johnson one-shot COVID-19 vaccine for 11,500 people, to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Operation Warp Speed.
Additionally, the Maine CDC learned Sunday that
