10/18/2017 - Legislature To Vote on Marijuana Legislation At a special session called for Monday, Oct. 23, the Legislature is expected to vote on legislation that would refine Maine’s recreational marijuana law in a comprehensive way. Municipal officials are encouraged to contact their legislators to communicate support for the “opt-in” provision of the legislation, described in detail in the update on the latest version of the bill, An Act to Amend the Marijuana Legalization Act.
10/12/2017 - League of Women Voters: Voter Guide Maine’s League of Women Voters has released an electronic version of its 2017 Voter Guide, which summarizes referendum items on the Maine ballot, and contains information to help voters understand the election process, including how to vote via absentee ballot.
10/02/2017 - Personal Income Growth: 2.61% The state Office of Policy and Management has calculated Maine’s average personal income growth rate for 2018 will be 2.61%, an average of the prior 10 calendar years. This figure is important for municipalities that still use the LD 1 calculation, a method established by law in 2005.
09/29/2017 - Planning for Capital Improvements Are your municipality and its water and wastewater utilities planning for major capital improvements that you know are in the offing? Are you capturing those anticipated costs in your current rates? This program, sponsored by the Maine Rural Water Association, will address planning for major projects, rate setting and how to effectively use surcharges.
09/27/2017 - Annual Report Winners Announced Each year, Maine Municipal Association recognizes members who produce outstanding Annual Reports for their citizens. This year, 17 municipalities were honored across five different population categories. First-place winners include: Caribou, Vassalboro, Mount Desert, Carrabassett Valley and Cranberry Isles.
09/13/2017 - Marijuana Legislative Update, Public Hearing MMA’s State & Federal Relations Department is updating members on LR 2395, An Act to Amend the Marijuana Legalization Act, and is surveying members about various aspects of the bill. Furthermore, the bill is scheduled for a legislative hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 9 a.m. in the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee Room at the State House in Augusta. The SFR Department offers guidance on how to submit written comments and/or participate at the hearing.
09/12/2017 - Cyber Security Summit Several federal, state and regional agencies are teaming up to present the 2017 Partnership in Cyber Security Summit on Oct. 10 at the University of Southern Maine’s Abramson Center. The summit’s goal is to discuss security threats that face the region and address possible solutions. U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King will serve as honorary hosts.
09/06/2017 - All America City Designation The National Civic League is once again encouraging Maine municipalities to apply to become an All-America City. Each year, the league selects 10 communities for designation. Since 1949, 500 communities have been so recognized, including five from Maine.
09/05/2017 - Upcoming Public Hearing On Marijuana Legislation For months, the Legislature’s Joint Select Committee on Marijuana Legalization Implementation has worked on a comprehensive bill to update the Marijuana Legalization Act approved by Maine voters and formally enacted into law earlier this year. This updated legislation will provide parameters regarding the legal cultivation, processing and sale of marijuana to adults over 21. Those activities are slated to be licensed by the state starting Feb. 1, 2018, and subject to municipal approval. A public hearing on the bill is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 26. The bill itself as well as information regarding the timing and location of the hearing is expected to be made public in the near future. MMA will update members with that information.
08/28/2017 - MMA Fiscal Survey Due Nov. 9 MMA’s annual Local Government Finance Survey should arrive in your mailbox any day. This survey endeavor consolidates into one effort requests from MMA and the U.S. Census Bureau to obtain important financial information about your community. The latest survey is called the “2016” survey because it requests data for the budget year ending Dec. 31, 2015 for municipalities operating on a calendar year, or June 30, 2016 for municipalities on a fiscal year schedule. The information gathered in this survey is beneficial for federal, state and local government officials, as it is used to generate reports such as the U.S. Census Bureau’s State and Local Government Finance Report and MMA’s Fiscal Survey Report.
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