AUGUSTA — The governor wants to level the playing field between formal lodging places and homeowners who rent out rooms, homes or cabins to travelers, not by licensing the homes, but by de-regulating all hospitality businesses. The comment by Holly Lusk, senior health policy adviser for Gov. Paul LePage, was made Monday morning during a public […]
legislature
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Pittsfield lawmaker leaves Democratic Party, becomes unenrolled
AUGUSTA — Rep. Stanley Short, D-Pittsfield, announced Monday that he has started the process of leaving the Democratic Party and becoming an unenrolled representative. Short told the Bangor Daily News that he notified House Speaker Mark Eves, D-North Berwick, and House Majority Leader Jeff McCabe, D-Skowhegan, of his decision on Monday morning. “After serving one […]
advertisement
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage threatens veto of Democrats’ ‘simple fix’ energy bill
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage said Friday that he doesn’t support a Democratic proposal that would fix what has been called a $38 million typo in a previously enacted energy bill that among other things provides almost twice that amount in funding for Efficiency Maine projects. LePage stopped short of saying he’d veto the “simple […]
Posted inMaine
Legislative panel rejects LePage Department of Conservation overhaul
AUGUSTA — A key legislative committee has rejected a proposal by the administration of Republican Gov. Paul LePage that sought to dissolve the state’s Bureau of Public Lands and fold its functions into two other agencies within the state’s Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. As part of his two-year, $6.57 billion state budget proposal, […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Indiana controversy looms as Maine senator floats ‘religious freedom’ bill
AUGUSTA, Maine — Civil liberties watchdogs, gay rights advocates and some lawmakers were already rattling sabers Thursday at the specter of a “religious freedom” bill similar to the one passed last week in Indiana, which has stoked fears that Maine could open the door to legalized discrimination. Sen. David Burns, R-Whiting, said Thursday that he’s […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine House, Senate split on teen tanning bed ban
AUGUSTA — The politically-divided House and Senate are at odds over whether Maine should prohibit people under the age of 18 from indoor tanning. The Democratic-led House voted 87-59 to give initial approval to Sen. Geoff Gratwick’s bill on Thursday. The Republican-led Senate voted 18-17 in favor of rejecting the bill Wednesday. It faces further […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage wants a legislative ‘tax week’, jokes about moving to Florida
BRUNSWICK — Gov. Paul LePage deepened a line he drew in the sand earlier this year when he said Thursday that vetoes of legislators’ constituent service bills will continue until the Legislature acts on his tax reform package. “Absolutely,” LePage said when asked by the Bangor Daily News whether he would use vetoes as leverage […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine House votes to override veto on vehicle tax bill
AUGUSTA — The Maine House has overridden Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of a bill that will reduce taxes and fees on certain vehicles adapted to serve people with disabilities. The Democratic-led House unanimously voted in favor of overturning LePage’s veto of Rep. Arthur Verow’s bill on Thursday. Verow says the measure will encourage more […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Legislature serves up fair pint bill to LePage
AUGUSTA — A bill designed to ensure that Mainers get to enjoy every sip of beer they pay for is on its way to Gov. Paul LePage. The Republican-controlled Senate gave Democratic Sen. John Patrick’s bill final approval on Thursday. Under the bill, bars and restaurants that advertise that a beer is a pint must […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine House OKs keno-blocking bill
AUGUSTA — The Maine House is supporting a bill that would prevent Gov. Paul LePage’s administration from introducing keno without legislative approval. The Democratic-led House gave the bill initial approval Wednesday with a 141-8 vote. It heads to the Senate. It was introduced in response to the administration’s plan to begin offering keno at retailers […]