News

Lawmakers consider reconvening, could be a few months off

Lawmakers consider reconvening, could be a few months off

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) Legislative leaders say they’re getting closer to reconvening state lawmakers following a pause during the coronavirus pandemic — but the special session could still be a month or more away.

State lawmakers have remained largely on the sidelines for the past three months after they adjourned and gave Democratic Gov. Janet Mills broad emergency powers to address the pandemic.

Neither Senate President Troy Jackson nor House Speaker Sara Gideon, both Democrats, would provide a specific timetable because details have yet to be worked out about how best to safely reconvene.

Jackson said the special session will happen later this year.

“I certainly feel like we are getting close to the point where we may reconvene and, at that time, her emergency powers either won’t be the same, or they won’t be there at all,” Jackson told the Portland Press Herald on Wednesday.

Mills could call the Legislature back into special session at any time. She told lawmakers in March that they’d reconvene “when it is safe to do so.”

Maine has reported more than 2,600 cases of the virus and 100 deaths.

On Thursday, members of the much-larger New Hampshire House of Representatives were reconvening at an indoor arena on the University of New Hampshire campus to ensure social distancing guidelines.

Latest Headlines

1 day ago in Local

Driver cited after rear-ending MTA maintenance vehicle in Cumberland

A maintenance worker with the Maine Turnpike Authority suffered minor injuries when their truck was rear-ended in Cumberland Friday morning.

1 day ago in Local

Maine medical examiner says Milford toddler died of hypothermia

State officials say a toddler who was found unresponsive in Milford a few days after Christmas died of hypothermia.

1 day ago in National, Trending

US employers added a surprisingly strong 178,000 jobs last month, rebounding from a weak February

American employers added a surprisingly strong 178,000 new jobs last month, rebounding from a dismal February. And the unemployment...

1 day ago in National, Trending

The Latest: US and Israel are trying to rescue fighter jet crew in Iran, Israeli source says

The U.S. military launched a rescue operation Friday after Iranian state media reported that an American fighter jet went down and at least...

1 day ago in Local

No Injuries in Chaotic Multi-Vehicle Crash, Fire on I-295

Troopers say a vehicle crashed into the center median at about 7 am.