AUGUSTA — In an oddity of Maine government, one of the first acts for newly elected lawmakers Wednesday will be to elect the state’s constitutional officers, including the attorney general, the secretary of state and the treasurer. The incoming Senate Republican majority made it clear Tuesday that they wanted changes: they nominated candidates for the […]
legislature
Posted inMaine
Maine lawmakers head to Taiwan on trade mission
AUGUSTA — Just a day after being sworn into office, a trio of state lawmakers, two Democrats and one Republican, will head to Taiwan on a trade mission. State Sens. John Patrick, D-Rumford, and Brian Langley, R-Ellsworth, along with state Rep. Jeff McCabe, D-Skowhegan, will depart for the seven-day trip, paid for by the Taiwanese […]
advertisement
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine’s constitutional officers not guaranteed re-election by split Legislature
AUGUSTA — Maine’s treasurer, attorney general and secretary of state will have to find support from more than just Democrats if they are to survive elections at the State House that could unseat them. After being sworn in on Dec. 3, the 186 voting members of the 127th Legislature will elect the three constitutional officers […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Review finds 21 mystery ballots in legislative recount
AUGUSTA — A review of Election Day documents has revealed that crucial questions about 21 mystery ballots in the Maine Senate District 25 election — which changed the outcome of the race after a recount — remain unanswered. A major factor in that reversal was 21 additional ballots from the town of Long Island that […]
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Maine People’s Alliance to push for state minimum wage increase
AUGUSTA — A left-leaning group that advocates for the impoverished and poor in Maine will push state lawmakers for a minimum-wage hike again in 2015, organizers said Wednesday. The Maine People’s Alliance announced Wednesday it would host a news conference to discuss a new report, “Equity in the Balance,” which details the wages of Maine […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Libby prevails in recount of Lewiston state Senate race
AUGUSTA — Nate Libby, a Lewiston Democrat, was officially declared the winner in the race for state Senate District 21 on Monday, according to Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap. Libby, who currently serves in the Maine House of Representatives and on the Lewiston City Council, was running against Republican Patti Gagne, a local insurance […]
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Maine’s lack of population growth source of economic concern
AUGUSTA — State lawmakers heard again Monday that Maine’s dwindling and aging population will continue to be one of the biggest factors in the state’s long-struggling economy. Key policymakers, including Gov. Paul LePage, are focused on a series of issues they believe would make the state a more welcoming place for job creators, including reducing […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Two Maine Senate candidates withdraw recount requests
AUGUSTA — Two candidates vying for seats in the Maine Senate are no longer seeking a ballot recount. Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap’s office said Friday that there will no longer be recounts in the race for Senate District 2, which includes parts of Aroostook and Penobscot Counties. Unofficial results show that Republican Michael […]
Posted inMaine
Maine House GOP spokesman stepping down, moving on
AUGUSTA — The spokesman for Republicans in the Maine House of Representatives is leaving his post to pursue different political work, he said Thursday David Sorensen, who took a leave of absence last spring to serve as spokesman for the Maine Republican Party during the last election cycle will not return to his State House […]
Posted inMaine
State House leaders offer outlook for pending Maine legislative session
AUGUSTA — As they prepare for the upcoming lawmaking session, Republican leaders in the Legislature said Monday they hope to home in on key policy initiatives, including more welfare reform, lowering energy costs and reducing tax burdens. Democrats, now in the minority in the Senate, said they will take a measured approach as they work […]