These are some of the stories central Maine is talking about today.

A legislative committee has rejected Gov. Paul LePage's proposal to dramatically expand drug testing of welfare recipients. The Health and Human Services Committee voted 6-5 against the bill on Wednesday. Two absent lawmakers can still vote. LePage wants to require all adults in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program to be screened for the probability of drug use and possibly tested. He's also seeking to eliminate food stamps and cash payments to recipients with a drug conviction. The administration recently began requiring drug-screening assessment for applicants with felony drug convictions. LePage officials say that six recipients have been scheduled for screenings so far. Of those, four are in the process of being removed from the TANF program for failing to show up for the screening or test. (AP)

The Maine Senate has given final approval to a bill that would cut the pay of lawmakers who don't show up at work. Under the bill, a lawmaker with more than five unexcused absences in the first regular session would see their salary reduced each legislative day he and she is absent. The cuts would kick in after three unexcused absences in the second regular session. The bipartisan Legislative Council would determine how to keep attendance and how much salaries would be reduced for each absence. The bill heads to the House for final approval. (AP)

Maine officials say a new state website will assist farmers and food producers with information about changes to federal food safety regulations. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry says the information on the website will pertain to the federal Food Safety Modernization Act, which was signed into law in 2011. Maine Agriculture Commissioner says the rules that impact farmers are still being developed and the website will keep food producers up to date on them. He says the website will provide information as changes occur, with a focus on how the rules affect farmers and businesses. The website will also allow users to sign up for e-mail alerts. (AP)

A bill that sought to prohibit drivers from using hand-held cellphones is dead. Drivers would have been allowed to use hands-free devices. Opponents said the bill is unnecessary because texting behind the wheel and distracted driving are already illegal in Maine. Others said talking on a hands-free device can be just as distracting. (AP)

A skateboarder has died in a crash on the Unity College campus. The 23-year-old Christopher Garbinski of Unity and two roommates were on skateboards when they picked up too much speed on a descent and crashed while trying to make a turn early Wednesday. They say Garbinski died after hitting several birch trees; the other two sustained only minor injuries. The three had been visiting friends on campus and he was not a student but lived in Unity. He was not wearing a helmet. (AP)

A young father charged with child porn possession is a free on bail. According to WGME, police arrested 25-year-old Joshua Chretien of Greene. They say they found pornographic images on his computer of children under 12 years old. Police say Chretien works at a convenience store in Lewiston and lives with his mother and young son.  Chretien posted bail immediately after his arrest. (WGME)

A new push to legalize recreational marijuana use in Maine, a move supporters say is inevitable. But opponents argue it would lead to more Maine children smoking pot and more drug addiction. Maine voters will likely have the final say. According to WGME, state lawmakers Diane Russell and Mark Dion both submitted legislation to establish the framework for legalizing marijuana in Maine. Maine voters will likely decide this issue sometime in 2016, whether the state legislature does anything or not. (WGME)

Last night’s meeting in Waterville over the pay-as-you-throw trash system had a number of speakers who are not pleased with the system and have many concerns. According to the KJ, councilors last year voted 5-2 to approve a $37.2 million budget that includes the pay-as-you-throw system with the stipulation that voters would have a chance to decide June 9 this year whether to keep or repeal the program. The program saves the city more than $430,000, and if voters repeal it June 9, they will have to make that amount up in the budget. (centralmaine.com)

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