Beacon

Beacon is a news site by MPA, sharing Mainers' stories, explaining policy, and advancing a progressive vision of community, fairness and shared future.

[Beacon @mebeacon]

Collins voted to confirm Kathleen Lane to a lifetime federal judgeship. Lane previously urged the Montana Supreme Court to overturn a longstanding constitutional protection for abortion and was involved in efforts to block abortion care.https://t.co/QZTfSk2uNT

[Beacon @mebeacon]

As energy costs continue to rise, a new Sierra Club analysis shows Maine's low-income households have the highest energy burden in the nation. Families earning less than $50,000 a year spend roughly one-fifth of their income on electricity & heating fuel.https://t.co/L2QwBsdETY

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In Midcoast Maine, a proposed $5 billion data center never broke ground, but it still derailed affordable housing plans for Wiscasset residents. Click the link below to read the full story! Originally published in the Daily Yonder. https://t.co/o1da0ViHCt

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Dr. Nirav Shah told a private landlord forum he opposes Section 8 tenant protections and rent control, and promised to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with landlords. His housing policies are why columnist Ethan Strimling will not rank Shah for governor. https://t.co/RtLGD9pqXW

[Beacon @mebeacon]

A proposed anti-trans ballot initiative in Maine won’t appear on the November 2026 ballot after state election officials found widespread problems with the campaign’s petitions, such as illegal collection practices and other defects.
https://t.co/t2LOsD0U78

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A proposed ballot initiative targeting transgender students in Maine may fail to qualify for the November ballot after state officials found thousands of signatures were unlawfully collected. Click the link below to read more! https://t.co/LpIV7mCf9u

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Sanford residents won a major housing victory this week after the City Council approved new limits on rent increases at manufactured housing parks. The new ordinance caps annual rent hikes at either 3% or inflation.
https://t.co/UciMRramAi

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Rather than pouring billions of more dollars into ICE, Congress should invest in legal representation and due process protections for immigrants, writes Mufalo Chitam, executive director of the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition. https://t.co/47Wj5AjMxJ

[Beacon @mebeacon]

Collins has not attended any Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee meetings focused on abortion or reproductive healthcare after the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade, according to committee hearing reports.https://t.co/UoPq3RsdM9

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Faith leaders, musicians and community members gathered in Portland Friday night for “Love is the Point,” a multi-faith event centered on solidarity with immigrants, transgender people, reproductive rights and gun safety.
https://t.co/CHbShLyJ1S

[Beacon @mebeacon]

Collins voted to block an effort to restore consumer protections tied to overdraft fees and other banking practices rolled back under Trump. It’s the second time in just over a year Collins has sided against efforts to crack down on predatory bank charges.https://t.co/DDGL4l8osA

[Beacon @mebeacon]

Early voting is now underway in Maine ahead of the June 9 primary election, with voters able to cast absentee ballots in person through their local clerk’s office.

Click below to learn more!
https://t.co/P8nCTpHhZi

[Beacon @mebeacon]

As Maine gears up for the June 9 primary, the League of Women Voters of Maine is training volunteers to observe polling places and report on voting conditions across all 16 counties. https://t.co/crawjCbVP3

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A new poll of rural voters in battleground states including Maine found deep frustration over rising costs, strong support for protecting Social Security and lowering health care costs, and slipping confidence in Trump’s handling of the economy. https://t.co/x5VOBG8UXx

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A new audit from the Portland Tenants Union found that more than half of Portland rental listings reviewed this year appeared to violate or conflict with the city’s rent control rules. https://t.co/tMjnj2tnhE

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From banning broker fees to limiting security deposits and prohibiting no-cause evictions, Opinion columnist Ethan Strimling is urging Maine lawmakers to adopt a slate of protections for renters as housing costs continue to climb across the state.
https://t.co/Sl0Q7E1ADx

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A court-ordered hearing on Maine’s anti-trans ballot initiative revealed claims of sloppy, potentially fraudulent signature gathering, including testimony that voters signed petitions without circulators present. https://t.co/Wi5x5WM0Mk

[Beacon @mebeacon]

Gubernatorial candidate Shenna Bellows called out Jonathan Bush over his push to privatize Medicaid in Maine, warning the proposal would increase costs and hurt access to care. Bush has also proposed using AI to deny Medicaid coverage for Mainers.https://t.co/qfkA6YKi8P

[Beacon @mebeacon]

Opinion: Janet Mills entered the U.S. Senate race as on of the most powerful Democrats in Maine politics, but Mills' late entry, reliance on name recognition, and years of vetoing progressive priorities left her badly out of step with the Democratic base.https://t.co/cPRMnCbkzF

[Beacon @mebeacon]

Graham Platner and Shenna Bellows told Mainers in Old Town that they understand why voters have mistrust in politicians — and that the answer isn’t blind faith, but building the power to hold elected officials accountable after Election Day.https://t.co/JHSVYtd3dP