Newscasts
PNS Daily Newscast - February 26, 2021
A new study finds big gains in living-wage jobs under Biden Infrastructure Plan; U.S. House passes major protections for LGBTQ Americans.
2021Talks - February 26, 2021
A $15 minimum wage is out for now; Capitol Police on past and current threats; House passes major milestone for equality; and voting rights targeted across the nation.
Public News Service - ME: Disabilities
Click to downloadPORTLAND, Maine -- President Donald Trump signed a $2 trillion relief package to help most U.S. residents deal with the COVID-19 outbreak. But the bill doesn't detail how it affects people with disabilities who rely on Social Security disability income. In Maine and elsewhere, this group has among
AUGUSTA, Maine -- A bill that would provide a tax credit for family caregivers in Maine is getting a public hearing Thursday at the State House. The bill, HP 1367, is supposed to help low and moderate income earners providing at least 150 hours of caregiving a year to a loved one. Rep. Kristen Cl
AUGUSTA, Maine -- A bill that would ban the subminimum wage for workers with disabilities in Maine gets a public hearing today at the Statehouse. HP 1340 would amend the minimum-wage law so that employers can no longer pay workers less than the state minimum wage because of a disability. Kile Pelle
AUGUSTA, Maine – A bill in the Maine Legislature is aimed at paying spouses who provide caregiving services for partners on Medicaid. H.P. 70 is a new version of a bill that passed in the last session but wasn't funded through the appropriations process. The legislation gets a public heari
AUGUSTA, Maine - Reaching out and saving lives. That's the theme of World Suicide Prevention Day today, and advocates say Mainers need to pay particular attention. Jenna Menhert, MSW, executive director of NAMI-Maine, says the state ranks number nine in the nation for suicide. She says feelings of
PORTLAND, Maine – Maine gets a B-minus in a report analyzing how each state supports – or doesn't support – new parents in terms of such things as leave time and job protection. The report, from the National Partnership for Women and Families, acknowledges where Maine goes beyond
AUGUSTA, Maine - As the Supreme Court considers the constitutionality of the 2010 Affordable Care Act - which even President Obama now is calling "Obamacare" - Maine's community health centers are watching closely. Maine has 19 of these nonprofit primary-care centers, operating on 60 sites. Regardl
PORTLAND, Maine - Eliminating same-day voter registration in Maine may not sound like a big deal, but for people with disabilities it can be a real roadblock to participation in elections. Disability advocates say many have been negatively affected, including those with mobility issues. In Novembe
