Collins, Jackson have navigated family lobbying ties, under different rules

banner that says by erin rhoda, deputy editor of the maine monitor

This week flew by after the Labor Day weekend.

Reporter Matt Junker dug into the lobbying ties within the families of Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins and Democratic candidate Troy Jackson. I learned that Maine allows lobbyists to lobby their state lawmaker family members, while the U.S. Senate does not.

Matt also wrote a piece outlining why voters aren’t likely to have a full picture of Jackson’s personal and campaign finances until early voting starts on Oct. 5.

Reporter Rose Lundy got data as part of a public records request and was able to show how Washington County could be hit hardest by Medicaid cuts. And reporter Emily Bader broke down what to know about this year’s flu, COVID-19 and RSV shots.

We’ve got many more stories from Monitor Local and our partners as well.

Thank you, as always, for reading!

— Erin

Join The Maine Monitor for an examination of Maine's housing challenges through a building lens, particularly what the state's building permit does, and does not, tell us about the effort to fix it. Monitor housing reporter Caitlin Andrews will moderate the panel discussion Oct. 1 at the Belfast Free Library at 6 p.m. Both in-person and Zoom options are available for attendance; click the banner to register.

Susan Collins and Troy Jackson have both navigated family lobbying ties, under different rules: It’s been nearly 20 years since the federal government put some restrictions on lobbying by family members. Maine and other states haven’t followed suit. Read this story by Matt Junker

Voters know less about Troy Jackson’s finances than any other major U.S. Senate nominee: The Democrats’ replacement nominee hasn’t yet had to file information that’s typically available already for most Senate candidates. Read this story by Matt Junker

Where Medicaid cuts could hit hardest in Maine: See how many people in each county could be subject to new work requirements in order to receive health benefits. Read this story by Rose Lundy

What to know about this year’s flu, COVID-19 and RSV shots: Major medical groups issued immunization recommendations last week, ahead of the fall respiratory virus season that begins in October. Read this story by Emily Bader

Hundreds of chanting men have this Maine town searching for a law to stop them: Members of Legendarios, an evangelical men’s group, first showed up at a shuttered campsite in Kingfield last year. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor of The Maine Monitor and Bangor Daily News

Eastport City Council moves to join federal review of subsea data center plan. Read this story by Melissa S. Razdrih

Washington County settles wrongful termination lawsuit with county manager. Read this story by Judith Meyer

Farmington Select Board approves new police contract after months of difficult negotiations. Read this story by Ben Hanstein

Washington County Commission presses Sheriff’s Office, jail to rein in soaring overtime. Read this story by Judith Meyer

Lubec School Board takes no action on dispute over playground access. Read this story by Ethan Bien

Waterville community support event expands as demand for services grows. Read this story by Charley DiAdamo

RSU 9 administrators warn changes to federal E‑Rate program could cost district thousands. Read this story by Ben Hanstein

Denmark extends Poland Spring water extraction hearing again. Read this story by Judith Meyer

Legal opinion says chair of Lubec Board of Selectmen meets residency requirement. Read this story by Ethan Bien

Buckfield seeks concepts to restore and reuse historic Old Church on the Hill. Read this story by Judith Meyer

The Maine Monitor is hiring a membership coordinator, an operations manager, and a director of audience outreach & community engagement. Click the banner to learn more and apply.

Have feedback, a correction or know of something we should look into? Send it to our newsroom. You can also email The Monitor's editors: editors@themainemonitor.org.

The Maine Monitor is a publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, an independent and nonpartisan nonprofit news organization that produces investigative journalism. We believe news is a public good and keep our news free to access. We have no paywall and do not charge for our newsletters. If you value the reporting we do for Maine, please consider making a donation! We cannot do this reporting without your support.

DONATE NOW

banner that states the maine monitor is part of the trust project, an international consortium of news organizations implementing transparency standards. tap to learn about the monitor's editorial standards.

Manage preferences | Update email address