Lawmaker presses forward with innovative legislation to reduce utility bills: 'Moral imperative'
In Maine, a new proposal looks to make sure that the transition to cleaner energy benefits everyone, especially those who need it most.
Rep. Sophia Warren, a Democrat from Scarborough, introduced legislation that would make it a legal requirement for the Maine Climate Council to consider how much of a household's income is being spent on energy when it makes policy recommendations to the state.
"I believe it is a moral imperative we fight poverty alongside climate change," Warren said during a public hearing, Maine Morning Star reported, citing Maine's high poverty rates and above-average energy costs.
While the Maine Climate Council addressed affordability in its 2024 Climate Action Plan, Warren's bill would ensure this priority is protected by law, regardless of future leadership.
That could make a big difference for low-income households, who spend nearly three times more of their income on energy than the average Mainer, according to state data. The bill would "comprehensively analyze household energy burden in Maine in 2025, including all energy sources, and set a target for reducing the energy burden for low-income residents by January 2026."
"A strong economy and a sustainable environmental future must go hand in hand," said Ashley Luszczki of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, adding that businesses also need reliable, affordable energy to thrive.
Warren's proposal reflects a broader trend of climate policies that save money and reduce harmful pollution.
In February, Memphis, Tennessee, became one of 25 cities selected for the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities initiative, a $200 million effort that promotes low-carbon, resilient communities. In fall, Washington state gave a one-time $200 utility bill credit to roughly 20% of households in the state.
There are several ways homeowners can address concerns about the efficiency of their homes' energy systems while saving money.
For instance, they can upgrade to solar power. With such improvements, you may qualify for tax incentives through the Inflation Reduction Act.
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Policies such as this one help pave the way to a future with clean, affordable energy that is within reach for all families.
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
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Newsweek
21 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Minnesota Assassin Alert Issued in South Dakota as Manhunt Expands
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, said on during an interview on Sunday that authorities believe Vance Boelter, the suspect in the assassination of Minnesota state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, is still in the Midwest. The senator said that authorities have put out an alert in South Dakota before adding that authorities believe Boelter may still be "in the vicinity," which means "in the Midwest." Newsweek reached out to the offices of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden, and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers for comment outside of normal business hours on Sunday for comment. Why It Matters An assassin shot and killed Hortman and her husband, Mark, early Saturday morning after posing as law enforcement to gain access to their home. The shooter had earlier that morning shot state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, in their home, but the couple underwent surgery and are in stable condition at the hospital. Walz called the shooting "a politically motivated assassination," and has enacted a significant manhunt across the state to try and catch Boelter whom authorities identified as a person of interest in the case. Boelter was last seen on security camera footage in a store in Minneapolis, wearing different clothing including a cowboy hat. Police found a list of possible targets in the suspect's vehicle, which named more than 50 individuals, including other politicians, some of whom are outside of Minnesota, abortion rights advocates, and abortion facilities. Police and law enforcement investigate the home of state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, who were shot multiple times earlier in Champlin, Minnesota, on June 14. Police and law enforcement investigate the home of state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, who were shot multiple times earlier in Champlin, Minnesota, on June 14. AP Photo/Giovanna Dell'Orto What To Know During an appearance on NBC News' Meet the Press, Klobuchardiscussed what updates have occurred on Sunday as the manhunt for Boelter continues, including the current scope of the investigation and Boelter's potential whereabouts. When asked if authorities believe Boelter may still be in Minnesota, Klobuchar said: "He may be. They've also put an alert out in South Dakota. You know, when I mean vicinity, I mean in the Midwest." "For a while they believed that he was in one certain area, and he may have been there for a while," the senator added. "So, they had thousands of homes in a shelter in place situation. Now they are continuing to look. And so, the FBI is asking for the public's help with a $50,000 award." Klobuchar noted the various changes in attire Boelter went through over just the first day of his flight, including his initial police-esque attire, which included what looked like some kind of rubber mask, and a later photo taken in Minneapolis, during which he wore a cowboy hat and plainclothes. This image provided by the FBI on Saturday, June 14, 2025, shows part of a poster with photos of Vance L. Boelter. This image provided by the FBI on Saturday, June 14, 2025, shows part of a poster with photos of Vance L. Boelter. FBI via AP "They are looking for him everywhere," Klobuchar said. "He is smart. He was able to impostor a police officer, soup up a car so it seemed like a police car. I know law enforcement has been very clear about this, that people should not approach him, that they should immediately call the tip lines and report. Because we believe he's somewhere in the vicinity and that they are going to find him, but right now everyone is on edge here." She added: "We also know that he is clearly off-balance, from the manifesto on, some of his writings, some of the things that he has said recently, that he is someone that no one should mess with except for law enforcement." Klobuchar added to Walz's assertion that the killings are "politically motivated," and praised the unified response from the Minnesota delegation, which included Republicans and Democrats jointly condemning the attack. "It was politically motivated, and there clearly was some throughline with abortion because of the groups that were on the list, and other things that I've heard were in this manifesto. So that was one of his motivations," Klobuchar said. She continued: "But again, they're also checking out, did he have interaction somehow with these two legislators? Is there more to this? And I think for us right now, allowing law enforcement to do their jobs instead of speculating on every angle of where he might have gone. They obviously have information we don't have." What People Are Saying President Donald Trump on Truth Social: "I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers. Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law. Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!" Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on X: "The Attorney General's Office will do whatever it can to assist law enforcement in their investigation. My heart goes out to Melissa's and Mark's two children and their families." He added: "I'm also praying for Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette and wish them a full and speedy recovery. And I hope Minnesotans can offer grace, care, and kindness to each other in the days ahead." Minnesota Governor Tim Walz in a statement on X wrote: "We are not a country that settles our differences at gunpoint. We have demonstrated again and again in our state that it is possible to peacefully disagree, that our state is strengthened by civil public debate. We must stand united against all forms of violence - And I call on everyone to join me in that commitment. To the responding officers, thank you for your bravery and your swift action. A State Bureau of criminal apprehension investigation is underway, and we will spare no resource in bringing those responsible to justice. Will not let fear win." What Happens Next? Anyone who sees any suspicious activity, "especially involving individuals impersonating law enforcement, please report it immediately," Bob Jacobson, Minnesota's commissioner of public safety, said during Saturday's press conference. The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) announced on Saturday they are offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Boelter. "Anyone with information about these shootings or Boelter's location should call the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) tip line at 877-996-6222 or email The public is asked to call 911 immediately if they see Boelter. Do not approach him."
Miami Herald
27 minutes ago
- Miami Herald
Search Broadens as Investigators Race to Track Down Minnesota Suspect
EDITORS NOTE: EDS: SUBS 2nd graf to update with possible found vehicle; TWEAKS graf 3 and graf starting "-- The suspect: ..." Investigators expanded their search across Minnesota on Sunday as they raced to track the footsteps of a man suspected of assassinating a Democratic state lawmaker and trying to kill a second. Police found what they believe is a vehicle belonging to the suspect, Vance Boelter, 57, in Sibley County, near a listed address for him and about an hour's drive southwest of where Saturday's shootings occurred. Officials have pleaded for help from the public, offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to Boelter's arrest. At the same time they urged caution, saying that he was believed to be armed, dangerous and willing to kill. "He is someone that no one should mess with, except for law enforcement," Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota said Sunday morning on NBC's "Meet the Press." Communities were on edge around the Minneapolis suburbs where authorities say the suspect went to the homes of two lawmakers early Saturday, pretending to be a police officer. Wearing a ballistic vest, gloves and an identity-disguising mask, investigators say he killed Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. The police almost caught the suspect at the home, but he escaped on foot after exchanging gunfire with officers. State Sen. John A. Hoffman, a fellow Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, were also shot in a separate attack but survived. Klobuchar said Sunday that the couple was "hanging in there." Hoffman, she said, "may face some additional surgeries, but he is also in stable condition right now, from what I know." Investigators have been examining surveillance footage, bank records, Boelter's associations and his movements from before the shootings. He had been politically engaged: A friend said he opposed abortion and had supported President Donald Trump, and he previously served on a state workforce development board alongside Hoffman. Here's what else we know: -- The victims: Hortman served as speaker of the Minnesota House for a six-year period that ended this year and helped pass several key policies on abortion rights, marijuana legalization and medical leave. Hoffman is a fourth-term state senator from Champlin, another Minneapolis suburb, and leads the Senate's Human Services Committee. -- The suspect: Boelter and his wife run a private security company that promotes the usage of SUVs similar to those used by police departments, according to its website. The couple also appears to have run a religious nonprofit. An archived version of the organization's website described Boelter as an ordained minister who had preached overseas. It said that he "sought out militant Islamists in order to share the gospel and tell them that violence wasn't the answer." -- Political violence: Slowly but surely, violence has moved from the fringes to become part of the political landscape. Threats and even assassinations, attempted or successful, have become a steady undercurrent of American life. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Copyright 2025
Boston Globe
40 minutes ago
- Boston Globe
Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith contemplates increased security after shooting of Democratic lawmakers
Advertisement 'These are real people, and before you start ascribing motives or going after them online maybe you should think about Melissa Hortman's life,' Klobuchar, a Democrat, said on CNN. 'This is a person that did everything for the right reasons. Regardless of political parties, look at her face before you send out your next post.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up The attack that killed Hortman, her husband Mark and gravely wounded state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife was a nightmare scenario for the thousands of American who serve as legislators across the 50 states and in Washington. They routinely attend public events with little or no security screening and live with their families in communities torn by the nation's political divides. The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information on the suspect, Vance Boelter, 57, who was the subject of a massive manhunt Sunday. The attacks amid a recent flurry of political violence that appears to be coming from all ideological corners. Advertisement U.S. Capitol Police increased security for Klobuchar and Smith following the attacks, which occurred early Saturday morning. Minnesota's entire congressional delegation, both Republicans and Democrats, released a joint statement condemning the killings. 'Today we speak with one voice to express our outrage, grief, and condemnation of this horrible attack on public servants,' the statement said. 'There is no place in our democracy for politically-motivated violence.' 'Nothing brings us together more than, you know, mourning for somebody else who's in political life,' GOP Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul said on NBC. 'Republican or Democrats. You know, we come together about this.' Paul said that he himself had been the victim of political violence when he was attacked by a neighbor in 2017, as well as at the Republican practice for the Congressional baseball game where a gunman severely injured several people, including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise. Associated Press writer Gary Fields contributed reporting.
