Rya Wooten

1 week ago | newscentermaine.com | Rya Wooten

AUGUSTA, Maine — Attorneys from organizations that offer free civil legal services for those who can't afford them are at risk of losing $2 million in annual state funding, but Maine lawmakers are proposing legislation that would help cover the gap. LD 1022 would secure $3.3 million in continued yearly funding for civil justice providers. The bill is sponsored by state Sen. Anne Carney, who serves as chair of the Judiciary Committee.

1 week ago | newscentermaine.com | Rya Wooten

PORTLAND, Maine — Some Maine leaders fear voter rights are on the line after the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility or SAVE Act passed in the U.S. House of Representatives Thursday, while others believe the bill has the potential to make elections in the U.S. safer. The bill makes some distinct changes to the type of documentation people need to register to vote or renew voter registration.

2 weeks ago | newscentermaine.com | Rya Wooten

AUGUSTA, Maine — There's a push at the state house to try and protect Maine's free school meal program, as Maine leaders brace anticipated impacts of proposed federal funding cuts to food programs. In Washington Thursday, members of the House passed a budget resolution that would cut billions of dollars in funding for Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and food assistance programs like Snap, Meals on Wheels, and more. State Sen.

2 weeks ago | newscentermaine.com | Rya Wooten

AUGUSTA, Maine — A new bill lawmakers believe would create more accessible child tax income for families with small children is in the works and has garnered bipartisan support. LD 1294, sponsored by Senate President Mattie Daughtry, would expand the dependent exemption tax credit. If passed, the bill would increase the state child tax credit that parents with young children receive to $600, allowing families to get $300 more for each child younger than six before the close of the taxable year.

2 weeks ago | newscentermaine.com | Rya Wooten

PORTLAND, Maine — MaineHealth is offering free head and neck cancer screening on Wednesday in Scarborough at 92 Campus Dr. from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Despite head and neck cancer only making up for four percent of all cancers in the U.S., it falls in the top 10 cancers that are most diagnosed in Maine. These types of cancers often impact older people, creating heightened concern for Mainers since our state has the oldest population in the country.