Maine bans toxic ‘forever chemicals’ under groundbreaking new law
Maine has enacted a groundbreaking law that will ban the use of toxic PFAS compounds in all products by 2030, except in instances deemed “currently unavoidable”.
Maine
Maine becomes the first U.S. state to divest from fossil fuels
The new law directs the $17 billion Maine Public Employee Retirement System to divest $1.3 billion from fossil fuels within five years and directs the Treasury to do the same with other state funds.
The startup Running Tide is planting on the seafloor to offset carbon emissions
Running Tide is using seaweed to sequester carbon off the coast of Maine while raising sustainable shellfish. Planting on the seafloor offers even more carbon sequestering capabilities than planting trees on land because kelp that sinks to the seafloor can hold carbon for centuries.
Maine to be first in the United States to use ranked choice voting in presidential elections
My experience with ranked-choice voting is that it gives voters a greater voice and it encourages civility among campaigns and candidates at a time when such civility is sorely needed, said Gov. Mills.
Maine passes 2 bills to reduce ‘welfare cliff’
The bills aim to keep families transitioning from welfare to work from losing health, financial, and education benefits until they are earning enough to fully support themselves.
Maine and Vermont ban plastic bags
Governors in Vermont and Maine signed bills on the same day that will ban plastic bags in their states in 2020.
Maine becomes the first state to ban Styrofoam
The law, which will go into effect January 1, 2021, prohibits restaurants, caterers, coffee shops and grocery stores from using the to-go foam containers because they cannot be recycled in Maine.
Maine voters approve expanding Medicaid under Obamacare
The vote makes Maine the 32nd state to agree to expand Medicaid to thousands of low-income adults who qualify for coverage.
Maine votes to raise minimum hourly wage to $9 next year, $12 in 2020
Maine voters decided Tuesday to raise the state’s minimum wage for the first time since 2009, bumping it to $9 per hour next year, from $7.50, and to $12 by 2020 as part of a national push by progressive groups.
Maine passes ranked-choice voting
Under the election overhaul, ballots are counted at the state level in multiple rounds. Last-place candidates are eliminated until a candidate wins by a majority.