Author: Chris Wade | The Center Square contributor, Washington Examiner

(The Center Square) — Maine lawmakers are wrangling along party lines over proposals to restrict or expand lithium mining in western Maine, with the valuable metal in high demand for rechargeable batteries and high-tech gadgets. Last year, the Democratic-controlled Legislature approved a raft of bills to update mining laws in the state, prompted by the…

(The Center Square) — New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed a bill Tuesday repealing a controversial bail reform law approved by her predecessor that has been criticized for allowing dangerous criminals to be released ahead of trial. The measure, which was approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature last week, repeals the state’s existing bail law by…

(The Center Square) — Maine campaign finance regulators want to crack down on ‘straw’ donor contributions, which they say have been illegally funneled into Democratic and Republican-backed causes despite rules banning the practice. The Maine Ethics Commission recommends that state lawmakers increase the penalties for ‘straw’ donations, where a contributor gives money to an intermediary…

(The Center Square) — A New York Republican congressman has filed a bill that seeks to punish foreign governments that take Americans hostage or wrongly detain them. The proposal filed by Rep. Mike Lawyer, R-N.Y., would create a new designation of “state sponsor of wrongful or unlawful detention” that would authorize the State Department to…