By Robbie Feinberg, Maine Public
When Gov. Janet Mills is formally sworn in for her second term on Wednesday night, the lineup for the ceremony will include poetry and music from across the state.
Allina Diaz, a community organizer with Maine Equal Justice, says affordable housing is already scarce, and the end of the federal emergency rental assistance program will only make the situation worse.
Over the past few days, the Lewiston Sun Journal has featured stories of a few of those unhoused residents. And in an opinion piece on Tuesday, executive editor Judy Meyer argues that local communities aren't taking enough action, even as people are sleeping in the woods.
Lawmakers are being sworn into Maine's 131st legislature on Wednesday. Gov. Mills wants to have the legislature introduce, pass and let her sign an emergency energy relief bill the same day that the new legislature is sworn in. And that has not happened in nearly three decades.
Electricity customers in Maine are in for a big increase in their monthly bills next year. Most customers served by CMP and Versant Power could see an increase of $30 a month and more price spikes might soon be on the way.