AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - The Latest on the Maine Legislature (all times local):
10:45 p.m.
Maine lawmakers have approved reforms to the state child welfare system in a rare session late in the summer.
Lawmakers Thursday night gave final approval to a series of proposals, the biggest of which will provide $21 million to the Maine child welfare system.
Lawmakers also rejected a proposal to make it a crime for mandatory reporters like teachers to fail to report suspected abuse.
The 11th-hour bills came in response to the high-profile deaths of two girls. Republican Gov. Paul LePage and lawmakers say the bills are just the start of wider reform.
Lawmakers also voted to make changes to Maine’s tax code in light of President Donald Trump’s tax reform that has been tabled because of politics since June.
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7:30 p.m.
The Maine House and Senate, which is considering a series of child welfare proposals, has agreed to a change of wording when it comes to keeping families together in child endangerment cases.
Both chambers supported a proposal Thursday backed by Republican Gov. Paul LePage that calls for “reasonable efforts” to keep families together instead of making it a “priority” under the previous language.
Some lawmakers viewed it as a minor change aimed emphasizing a child’s safety. Critics saw it as a major change.
The bill was one of several 11th-hour changes to Maine’s child welfare program following the high-profile deaths of two girls.
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7 p.m.
Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap says he’s going to need more money for the November election.
A spokeswoman said an additional $334,330 is needed. The money would come from the Legislature’s General Fund.
The money is needed to print ballots.
Mainers in November will select a governor and determine the balance of power.
Ranked-choice voting won’t be used in those state races but it will be used in the U.S. House and in the U.S. Senate race.
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3:45 p.m.
A bill to provide $21 million to the Maine child welfare system has cleared its first hurdle.
The Maine Senate approved the bill on Thursday. The House will take it up later.
The funding will pay 16 new caseworkers and provide raises for foster families and caseworkers.
The bill is one of several 11th-hour changes to Maine’s struggling child welfare program in light of the deaths of two girls. Republican Gov. Paul LePage and lawmakers say the bills are just the start of wider reform.
The session got underway Thursday with a salute to Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who died Saturday at 87.
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12:15 a.m.
Lawmakers are returning to deal with reforms to Maine’s struggling child welfare system and the state’s tax code.
The Legislature is set to return Thursday to begin wrapping up a special session that has dragged on for over two months. State records show it’s rare for lawmakers to still be at work so late in the year.
Lawmakers are considering 11th-hour changes to Maine’s struggling child welfare program in light of the deaths of two girls.
Republican Gov. Paul LePage and lawmakers say the bills, which include $21 million of spending, are just the start of wider reform.
A widely supported bill to overhaul Maine’s tax code in light of Republican President Trump’s tax reform has been tabled because of politics since June. Lawmakers are expected to consider it Thursday.
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