It’s a transition often made easier by the realignment of our government and institutions.
A realignment will occur in 2021. The U.S. will have a new president and a new Congress. Maine will have a new Legislature and a new slate of 186 state lawmakers will play a leading role in creating a new two-year budget that will determine the size and direction of the state’s bureaucracy.
Other than special elections to fill vacant seats, there are no big candidate contests set for 2021. Nevertheless, the political ambitions for those eyeing 2022 and beyond could emerge.
Here’s how the new year will be heavily influenced by the old one.
Maine Climate Council unveils plan to cut emissions, make state carbon neutral by 2045 mainebeacon.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from mainebeacon.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Maine Republican House member leaves party in dispute over committee assignments
Rep. John Andrews of Paris and Sen. Rick Bennett of Oxford both expressed displeasure with their party s legislative leadership after having committee requests denied.
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The 130th Maine Legislature has yet to start its work in earnest, but some Republican members of the House and Senate already are expressing dissatisfaction over their committee assignments.
Rep. John Andrews
In a broadside on Facebook, Rep. John Andrews of Paris took aim at House Minority Leader Kathleen Dillingham of Oxford for not giving him the committee assignment he wanted. He said he is leaving the Republican Party for the Libertarian Party and encouraged other dissatisfied Republicans to do the same.
Maine Republican House member leaves party in dispute over committee assignments centralmaine.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from centralmaine.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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Members of the Maine House take the oath of office Dec. 2 at the Augusta Civic Center, set apart to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Associated Press/Robert F. Bukaty
The Maine Legislature could face a hefty added expense as its leaders wrestle with how they will do business in a session constricted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
That unbudgeted cost included the setup and rental of the arena from the city of Augusta at $4,025 a day, plus $92,467 for computer tablets needed to carry out paperless voting. Other costs included three days of lunches for the 186 lawmakers and their staff at nearly $5,000, and audiovisual and other technology expenses for connecting to the Legislature’s live online video and audio streams, used to enable the public to observe the proceedings.