Latest news with #LaurelLibby
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Five big issues looming over the final days of Maine's legislative session
Jun. 1—Some of the thorniest and most divisive policy issues of the session stand between Maine lawmakers and their plan to adjourn on June 18. While the biggest outstanding item on the agenda is finalizing a two-year state budget, other major issues remain unresolved, as well. Here's a look at what lies ahead. TRANSGENDER ATHLETES When Donald Trump returned to the White House in January, he issued two executive orders targeting people who are transgender, including an order prohibiting transgender girls from participating in girls sports. Those orders put Maine in the administration's crosshairs because the state allows transgender athletes to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity — a stand state officials say is consistent with Title IX, which grants equal opportunity to females in education and sports, and with the Maine Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity. That dynamic led to a high profile confrontation between Gov. Janet Mills and Trump at the White House, efforts by the Trump administration to cut Maine's funding, the censure of Rep. Laurel Libby, R-Auburn, for a social media post identifying a transgender high school athlete, a U.S. Supreme Court intervention, and a hotly contested and emotional debate in the State House, where Republicans have offered a slate of bills that would restrict participation by transgender athletes and students. None of those have yet been taken up by the full Legislature. Lawmakers on the Judiciary Committee deadlocked 6-6 on two bills that would eliminate funding from school districts that allow transgender girls to participate in girls sports. Democratic Rep. Dani O'Halloran of Brewer joined Republicans in backing LD 233, sponsored by Richard Campbell, R-Orrington, and LD 1134, sponsored by Sen. Sue Bernard, R-Caribou. Two other bills were voted "ought not to pass" by the committee, but still face floor votes. LD 868, sponsored by Rep. Liz Caruso, R-Caratunk, which would have required sports to be male, female or coed and required students to use restrooms and changing rooms consistent with their gender assigned at birth, was narrowly defeated in committee, 7-5. And LD 1432, sponsored by Rep. Mike Soboleski, R-Phillips, which would have removed gender identity from the Maine Human Rights Act, was opposed, 11-2. CHILD CARE The budget presented by Gov. Janet Mills proposes rolling back some recent investments in child care, including stipends to attract workers, but pending legislation would boost support for the struggling industry. Child care advocates presented a show of force early in the session, calling on lawmakers to protect the investments targeted by Mills. And while lawmakers are still negotiating the budget, additional standalone bills have been working through the Legislature. One of those bills, LD 1955, is sponsored by Senate President Mattie Daughtry, D-Brunswick. It calls for $1 million a year in child care provider stipends, plus a onetime appropriation of $3.8 million and an annual appropriation of $2 million to help qualifying families pay for child care. HOUSING The affordable housing shortage in Maine has been front and center again this session. LD 1829, sponsored by House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, D-Biddeford, aims to make it easier to build housing in communities by reducing minimum lot requirements, loosening regulations on in-law apartments or accessory dwelling units, streamlining municipal review for smaller housing developments, and allowing a single-story high bonus for qualified affordable housing. Lawmakers have also taken up bills that would provide funding to allow residents of mobile home parks to purchase those parks when offered for sale. Mobile home residents own their homes, but not the land underneath them. In recent years, parks have changed hands, leading to an increase in lot fees, and increasing the housing instability of of tenants. IMMIGRATION Immigration enforcement has been another focus of the Trump administration that spilled into the Legislature this year. Lawmakers are still considering bills that would define the relationship between federal authorities and state, county and local police. One bill, LD 1656, sponsored by Soboleski, would prohibit any restrictions from being placed on assisting with federal immigration enforcement. But two Democratic bills — LD 1259, sponsored by Rep. Ambreen Rana, D-Bangor, and LD 1971, sponsored by Rep. Deqa Dhalac, D-South Portland — take the opposite approach. Rana's bill would prohibit state and local law enforcement from entering into contracts for federal immigration enforcement, while Dhalac's bill would go further by adding additional restrictions on state and local law enforcement's ability to enforce immigration laws, while emphasizing the rights of detained immigrants. TAX BILLS With state revenues flattening, lawmakers are considering a range of proposals to support state programs and provide tax relief to families. One bill likely to come to the floor is LD 1089, sponsored by Rep. Cheryl Golek, D-Harpswell. It would create a so-called millionaire's tax to support K-12 education. Adding a 4% surcharge to incomes above $1 million could generate over $100 million a year, according to advocates who celebrated the positive committee recommendation. Copy the Story Link
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Five big issues looming over the final days of the legislative session
Jun. 1—Some of the thorniest and most divisive policy issues of the session stand between Maine lawmakers and their plan to adjourn on June 18. While the biggest outstanding item on the agenda is finalizing a two-year state budget, other major issues remain unresolved, as well. Here's a look at what lies ahead. TRANSGENDER ATHLETES When Donald Trump returned to the White House in January, he issued two executive orders targeting people who are transgender, including an order prohibiting transgender girls from participating in girls sports. Those orders put Maine in the administration's crosshairs because the state allows transgender athletes to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity — a stand state officials say is consistent with Title IX, which grants equal opportunity to females in education and sports, and with the Maine Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity. That dynamic led to a high profile confrontation between Gov. Janet Mills and Trump at the White House, efforts by the Trump administration to cut Maine's funding, the censure of Rep. Laurel Libby, R-Auburn, for a social media post identifying a transgender high school athlete, a U.S. Supreme Court intervention, and a hotly contested and emotional debate in the State House, where Republicans have offered a slate of bills that would restrict participation by transgender athletes and students. None of those have yet been taken up by the full Legislature. Lawmakers on the Judiciary Committee deadlocked 6-6 on two bills that would eliminate funding from school districts that allow transgender girls to participate in girls sports. Democratic Rep. Dani O'Halloran of Brewer joined Republicans in backing LD 233, sponsored by Richard Campbell, R-Orrington, and LD 1134, sponsored by Sen. Sue Bernard, R-Caribou. Two other bills were voted "ought not to pass" by the committee, but still face floor votes. LD 868, sponsored by Rep. Liz Caruso, R-Caratunk, which would have required sports to be male, female or coed and required students to use restrooms and changing rooms consistent with their gender assigned at birth, was narrowly defeated in committee, 7-5. And LD 1432, sponsored by Rep. Mike Soboleski, R-Phillips, which would have removed gender identity from the Maine Human Rights Act, was opposed, 11-2. CHILD CARE The budget presented by Gov. Janet Mills proposes rolling back some recent investments in child care, including stipends to attract workers, but pending legislation would boost support for the struggling industry. Child care advocates presented a show of force early in the session, calling on lawmakers to protect the investments targeted by Mills. And while lawmakers are still negotiating the budget, additional standalone bills have been working through the Legislature. One of those bills, LD 1955, is sponsored by Senate President Mattie Daughtry, D-Brunswick. It calls for $1 million a year in child care provider stipends, plus a onetime appropriation of $3.8 million and an annual appropriation of $2 million to help qualifying families pay for child care. HOUSING The affordable housing shortage in Maine has been front and center again this session. LD 1829, sponsored by House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, D-Biddeford, aims to make it easier to build housing in communities by reducing minimum lot requirements, loosening regulations on in-law apartments or accessory dwelling units, streamlining municipal review for smaller housing developments, and allowing a single-story high bonus for qualified affordable housing. Lawmakers have also taken up bills that would provide funding to allow residents of mobile home parks to purchase those parks when offered for sale. Mobile home residents own their homes, but not the land underneath them. In recent years, parks have changed hands, leading to an increase in lot fees, and increasing the housing instability of of tenants. IMMIGRATION Immigration enforcement has been another focus of the Trump administration that spilled into the Legislature this year. Lawmakers are still considering bills that would define the relationship between federal authorities and state, county and local police. One bill, LD 1656, sponsored by Soboleski, would prohibit any restrictions from being placed on assisting with federal immigration enforcement. But two Democratic bills — LD 1259, sponsored by Rep. Ambreen Rana, D-Bangor, and LD 1971, sponsored by Rep. Deqa Dhalac, D-South Portland — take the opposite approach. Rana's bill would prohibit state and local law enforcement from entering into contracts for federal immigration enforcement, while Dhalac's bill would go further by adding additional restrictions on state and local law enforcement's ability to enforce immigration laws, while emphasizing the rights of detained immigrants. TAX BILLS With state revenues flattening, lawmakers are considering a range of proposals to support state programs and provide tax relief to families. One bill likely to come to the floor is LD 1089, sponsored by Rep. Cheryl Golek, D-Harpswell. It would create a so-called millionaire's tax to support K-12 education. Adding a 4% surcharge to incomes above $1 million could generate over $100 million a year, according to advocates who celebrated the positive committee recommendation. Copy the Story Link
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Maine lawmakers reject bill to stop issuing Real ID cards
May 27—AUGUSTA — Maine lawmakers have rejected a proposal that would have required the state to stop issuing driver's licenses and identification cards known as Real ID that meet strict new federal security standards. The Senate voted without a roll call and without any discussion Tuesday to reject the bill. It was rejected 109-34 in the House of Representatives last week. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Laurel Libby, R-Auburn, would have repealed the Maine law that allows the secretary of state to issue state IDs that comply with the federal law known as Real ID, which critics say compromises privacy. It comes as Transportation Safety Administration agents started enforcing the requirements this month by asking all commercial air travelers age 18 and up to show a Real ID or alternative federal identification earlier this month. The rules have been in the works for 20 years as a way to improve security and were approved in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. They involve a higher level of verification than standard driver's licenses or nondriver identification cards. Travelers can use passports as an alternative to the new driver's license. At a public hearing last month, Libby and supporters of her bill, LD 160, said the Real ID law represents government overreach and raises concerns about data collection and misuse by the federal government as well as potential breaches. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows testified against the bill, saying it would make Maine the only state unable to provide its residents with a federally compliant credential, a move that would force residents who want a Real ID to have to apply directly to the federal government. Standards for a Real ID are consistent across the 50 states and involve a higher level of verification than standard driver's licenses or IDs. To receive a Real ID, an individual must bring proof of identification and citizenship/lawful status, such as a certified birth certificate, two forms proving residency and a Social Security number. Proof of any legal name changes must also be provided, if applicable. State officials asked the Trump administration to delay enforcement of Real ID requirements this year. While that request was not granted, federal authorities said they planned to phase in the requirement and would initially give people warnings and possibly subject them to additional security screening if they did not provide compliant identification. Copy the Story Link
Bloomberg
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Even Elected Officials Have First Amendment Rights
Imagine a legislature in a deep-red state deciding that members who support abortion rights won't be allowed to cast votes on any matter. Or a legislature in a bright-blue state decreeing the same disqualification for members seen sporting MAGA gear. Seems silly, I know — maybe even undemocratic. But that's what's at stake in the kerfuffle that led to last week's unexpected order from the US Supreme Court granting a stay in a lawsuit by Maine Representative Laurel Libby, whom her colleagues censured for refusing to remove a social media post that identified a transgender high school athlete who'd won an event at the state championship. As a result of the censure, Libby was not allowed to vote or even to come onto the floor.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Supreme Court returns Maine lawmaker's right to vote following censure for post about transgender athlete
The U.S. Supreme Court granted the request of a Maine lawmaker to continue voting and speaking in the state legislature as she appeals her censure. Maine Republican Rep. Laurel Libby refused to apologize for a social media post that included two photos of a transgender high school student who won the Class B girls' state championship in pole vaulting. Maine Democratic lawmakers voted in February to censure Libby, revoking her ability to vote or speak on the state House floor until she accepts 'full responsibility for the incident and publicly apologize(s) to the House and to the people of the State of Maine.' After lower courts refused to return Libby's ability to speak or vote, Libby and six of her constituents appealed directly to the Supreme Court, asking them to issue an emergency injunction. 'The verbal censure (unwise as it may be) is not what Applicants challenge here. It's what happened next. The Speaker declared Libby was barred from speaking or voting until she recants her view. This means her thousands of constituents in Maine House District 90 are now without a voice or vote for every bill coming to the House floor for the rest of her elected term, which runs through 2026,' her attorneys wrote in the emergency application. In a brief order released Tuesday, the court granted her injunction without including an explanation. The injunction will stay in effect while she appeals the decision to strip her of voting and speaking rights. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote a five-page dissent to the order, while Justice Sonia Sotomayor said she also would have denied Libby's request.
