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What we're reading
— Contradicting hours of recent testimony to the contrary, Maine Corrections Commissioner Randall Liberty denied solitary confinement is used in state prisons. Supporters of a measure seeking to outlaw the practice have told stories of prolonged isolation being used as recently as this year. It underscores a debate about what constitutes solitary confinement and how difficult any problem will be to solve without a clear picture of what's happening in prisons.
— U.S. Rep. Jared Golden condemned a group that has been called a "scam PAC" and has used his name and veteran status to raise money. The "American Veterans Support Group PAC" raised $400,000 last year but spent only 15 percent of it to support candidates, sending most back to a network of vendors associated with similar political committees touting support for police and firefighters. The activity may be legal because of loose campaign finance laws. Golden called it "unforgivable" and said the group should shut down.
— Three Hawaii men were federally indicted in an alleged straw-donor scheme that benefited a political group supporting U.S. Sen. Susan Collins' 2020 reelection campaign. They include Martin Kao, the former CEO of a defense contractor that operates partially in Maine and has also been accused of defrauding a Collins-championed COVID-19 loan program. No wrongdoing on the part of Collins or her staff has been alleged. The Republican's office has it had no knowledge of allegations against Kao until media reported them.
— The burden on Maine hospitals is heavy but easing as COVID-19 transmission continues to decline across the country. Hospitals here reported fewer virus patients and a declining number of staff absences that were plaguing them during the worst of the recent omicron surge. |
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Follow along today
— 10 a.m. The Legislature's criminal justice will take testimony on a bill from Rep. Grayson Lookner, D-Portland, that would ban the use of certain restraints, pepper spray and Tasers on children in state prison. Watch here.
— 11 a.m. Mills will hold a news conference at Central Maine Community College in Auburn to promote her $20 million plan to allow recent and upcoming high-school graduates to attend community college for free. |
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| 📷 Lead photo credit: Ben McCanna, Portland Press Herald via AP |
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