AUGUSTA — All eyes are on Republican Gov. Paul LePage after the state Senate on Friday granted final passage to a bill that would expand the state’s Medicaid program to roughly 70,000 low-income Mainers under the auspices of the federal Affordable Care Act. The Senate voted without a roll call or debate to enact the […]
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Committee approves measures meant to bolster Maine’s open meetings law
AUGUSTA — Phoning it in may no longer be an option for elected and appointed officials, especially when it comes to voting, if a bill before the Maine Legislature is approved. Thursday the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee approved a measure designed to ban most public officials from participating in meetings or voting on issues by phone […]
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Legislature blocks 2 bills targeting wind energy regulation
Maine Senate nixes bills to change wind power laws AUGUSTA — The Legislature has rejected two bills to change the state’s wind energy laws aimed at ensuring projects benefit the state economically and don’t hinder the beauty of the state’s natural resources. The Democratic-led Senate voted 21-14 on Thursday in favor of rejecting Republican Gov. […]
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Maine Senate deals fatal blow to 6 gaming bills
AUGUSTA, Maine — A group of statewide gaming bills that have been bouncing between procedural life and death in the Legislature died for good Thursday at the hands of the Senate. The six bills, which include three proposals to allow the state’s Native American tribes to expand gaming, have been the subject of disagreement between […]
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Maine House OKs concealed handgun permit overhaul
AUGUSTA — A bill to to improve Maine’s concealed weapon permitting process by ensuring adequate background checks and creating a confidential database of permit holders was given initial approval by the House on Thursday. The bill, LD 222, sponsored by retired state trooper Rep. Timothy Marks, D-Pittston, had been hammered out in committee for more than […]
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Maine committee on health and human services rejects LePage welfare reforms
AUGUSTA — On mostly party-line votes, a package of bills offered by Republican Gov. Paul LePage meant to reel in misuse of electronic benefit cards was rejected Wednesday by a legislative committee. The Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee watered down two of the proposals, changing them to legislative resolves directing the Maine Department of […]
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Maine bill targets false statements in campaigns
AUGUSTA — Maine Gov. Paul LePage hopes to turn the state’s ethics panel into a truth squad that checks the veracity of claims made by politicians, but the bill’s prospects of becoming law appeared dim Wednesday as opponents warned it could violate the First Amendment’s protection of free speech. The plan directs the Maine Commission on […]
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Senate passes bill to cancel welfare consultant’s contract
AUGUSTA — Maine’s Senate has approved a measure to cancel Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s administration’s contract with a consultant examining its Medicaid program. The Senate backed the bill with a 21-14 vote Wednesday. The bill eliminating the contract with the Alexander Group, led by the former welfare chief of Rhode Island and Pennsylvania, was endorsed […]
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House passes bill with rebates for solar panels, heat pumps
More energy coverage: Senate unplugs LePage bill to remove Maine’s cap on hydropower Key to the support was an amendment to the bill by state Rep. Lance Harvell, R-Farmington, that creates another rebate program for heat pumps when they are installed by low-income families. The measure allows up to a $2,000 rebate from the state. Harvell’s […]
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Maine committee reviews bills aimed at welfare fraud and abuse; told to save Parents as Scholars Program
AUGUSTA — Ask Heidi Hart about a state program that helped lift her and her daughter out of poverty and Hart will tell you the Parents as Scholars Program was essential to changing her life and the lives of hundreds of other Maine families. Hart, now a lawyer, urged lawmakers Tuesday to reject a proposal […]