SPECTRUM NEWS • February 17, 2023
A Lewiston lawmaker is hoping a steady infusion of cash to help pay for lead abatement in older homes will better protect more Maine children. Rep. Kristen Cloutier (D-Lewiston) is sponsoring a bill to give MaineHousing $1 million a year in an ongoing appropriation for the state’s lead abatement program. “This has been a problem in Lewiston for quite some time,” she said. “In 2019, Lewiston had the highest rate of childhood lead poisoning in the state.” Along with Lewiston/Auburn, the Maine CDC has designated three other areas as high-risk for lead poisoning: Portland/Westbrook, Biddeford/Saco, and Bangor.