Maine

As the northernmost state in New England, Maine is the US state with the northeastern most peak in the country, and sits in the First District Circuit of the United States. By land mass, it is the 39th smallest state in the US, and the 42nd state by population, with just over 1.3 million residents. Until the 1820s, Maine was a part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts until it seceded, becoming its own state. It was admitted as the 23rd state into the Union under the Missouri Compromise on March 15, 1820.  Maine is the easternmost state in the country, and the only state which borders only one other state, New Hampshire.

The state is known for agricultural outputs which include poultry, eggs, dairy, cattle, apples, and maple sugar and syrup. Commercial fishing is one of the largest economic-drivers for the state, which mainstays in lobstering and groundfishing. Aquifers and natural springs in the state are also responsible for the bottling of natural spring water which is sold in the US and internationally. Tourism and outdoor recreation are also two key components which drive Maine’s economy. Additionally, with nearly 230 miles of coastline, Maine is known for fishing, trade, importing and exports within the US and with international markets.

The government of Maine is broken into three co-equal branches, the executive, legislative and judicial branches.  Additionally, the Maine Constitution allows for three Constitutional Officers—the Secretary of State, the State Treasurer and the State Attorney General.  There is an additional Statutory Officer, the State Auditor.

The executive branch: Headed by the Governor of Maine, elected every four years, but with a term limit of two consecutive terms in office.  Maine does not have a lieutenant governor, which makes it one of seven states to not have that office.

The legislative branch is comprised of the Maine Senate and the Maine House of Representatives, collectively known as the Maine Legislature.  The Senate has 35 members, and the House of Representatives has 151 members.  With a two-thirds majority from both the House and the Senate, the legislature can override a gubernatorial veto. 

The judicial branch rounds out the government, charged with the task of interpreting state laws.  The judicial branch is headed by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, and lower courts include the District Court, Superior Court and Probate Court.  Judges are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the legislature for seven-year terms, and probate judges are elected by the voters of their respective county for four-year terms, serving part-time.

The state has four electoral votes which go towards the federal Presidential elections.

In 2009, Maine along with Washington and Maryland, became the first states to legalize same-sex marriage at ballot boxes.

The state has a law school at the University of Maine.  Other universities in Maine include, Colby College, Husson University, and Beal College.

The National Law Review covers news, stories, and cases from Maine which impact the state, and federal government. Some of the stories covered include legalization of marijuana, tax disputes, Medicaid expansions and healthcare in the state, minimum wage and labor/employment law, and state and federal news related to government agencies. Visitors to the National Law Review will continually find the latest coverage from the state, related to its citizens, and the federal government system.