GOP lawmaker pushes bill that would require Maine to comply with ICE
AUGUSTA (WGME) — A Republican lawmaker in Maine has introduced a bill that would require state and local agencies to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement efforts.
Rep. Mike Soboleski (R-Phillips) is sponsoring the legislation, which would ban the state from refusing to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The proposal comes during a broader federal crackdown on immigration enforcement under the Trump administration — a movement Soboleski says the state should support.
“What it says is, don’t interfere with ICE when they’re here doing their job,” Soboleski said.
Rep. Soboleski Organizes Joint GOP Letter to AG Pam Bondi Calling for Review of Maine’s Green Energy Policies That Violate Executive Order
Rep. Mike Soboleski (R-Phillips) penned a letter to U.S. Attorney General (AG) Pam Bondi, signed by nearly every Republican in the Maine state legislature, calling for a review of they called the Maine’s burdensome, costly and unfair “clean energy” policies.
At the top of Soboleski’s list is the extremely controversial Net Energy Billing policy, intended to encourage renewable energy such as solar. The program grants credits on electric bills for homeowners with solar or other renewable energy sources, but forces other Mainers to subsidize those credits through substantial rate increases.
“This system disproportionately affects lower income residents who cannot afford to invest in solar panels or participate in community solar projects, effectively forcing them to subsidize wealthier individuals who can,” the letter stated.
Republican lawmakers seek changes to Maine Human Rights Act in Title IX compliance effort
Proposed amendments to the antidiscrimination law revolve around transgender student-athletes' right to compete in girls and women's sports.
AUGUSTA, Maine — Republicans in the Maine Legislature are continuing to put pressure on Gov. Janet Mills and Democrats as the state faces potential legal action after the Trump administration found the Maine Department of Education and other entities to be in violation of Title IX.
The second bill is still in the Revisors Office and hasn't been issued a Legislative Document number yet. It's being sponsored by Rep. Mike Soboleski, R-Phillips, and would need approval before being sent to committee. Soboleski's bill seeks to remove the term "gender identity" from the Maine Human Rights Act.
"Every time that I've had a discussion with either a school board or anybody that's in authority. It goes back to the Maine Human Rights Act. Every piece of legislation that we brought forward, the argument's always the Maine Human Rights Act," Soboleski said. "So taking the term 'gender identity' out of the Maine Human Rights Act puts an end to it all.”
Wins from the Past Legislative Session:
EV Mandate
Sludge in Our Rivers
Safe Lithium Mining
Unelected bureaucrats attempted to mandate EVs in Maine, but after six months of effort by MIA PAC and Rep. Mike Soboleski, the BEP overturned it thanks to LD 2261.
Safe Lithium Mining
Sludge in Our Rivers
Safe Lithium Mining
LD 1433 and LD 1363, sponsored and co-sponsored by Rep. Mike Soboleski, cleared the way for safe lithium mining in Maine. Combined, they boost western Maine’s economy and support the lithium discovery in Newry.
Sludge in Our Rivers
Sludge in Our Rivers
Protecting Wildlife Habitat
LD 718, sponsored by MIA PAC’s Rep. Mike Soboleski, ensured proper disposal of bio-solids just two days before raw sewage was set to be dumped, protecting Maine’s lakes and rivers from pollution.
Protecting Wildlife Habitat
Protecting Our Redemption Centers
Protecting Wildlife Habitat
LD 1246, a bipartisan bill supported by MIA PAC, added endangered species habitats to the definition of "Significant Wildlife Habitat" under Maine’s Natural Resources Protection Act.
Nurse Staffing Ratios
Protecting Our Redemption Centers
Protecting Our Redemption Centers
LD 1639 would have imposed costly hospital staffing mandates, driving up healthcare prices. Thanks to strong advocacy from MIA PAC and others, the bill died at adjournment. MIA PAC will stay alert for its return in the 132nd Legislature.
Protecting Our Redemption Centers
Protecting Our Redemption Centers
Protecting Our Redemption Centers
LD 1909, a bipartisan bill amended by Rep. Mike Soboleski, cut red tape for Maine’s redemption centers and boosted their income. In the year prior, 18 centers had closed due to low cash flow and rising costs.