AUGUSTA — Maine Gov. Paul LePage has signed a bill to replenish the state’s rainy day fund and is allowing infrastructure projects that were put on hold to move forward. The Republican governor’s bill puts $21 million back into the fund, which was tapped to pay for revenue sharing. LePage said drawing from the fund […]
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House passes bill requiring more disclosure for ‘narrow’ networks
AUGUSTA — The Maine House has endorsed a bill that aims to provide clarity to “narrow” health insurance provider networks that exclude some hospitals and doctors. The Democratic-led House gave initial approval to Democratic Rep. Paul McGowan’s bill with a 92-48 vote on Monday The measure would require carriers to disclose to consumers whether any […]
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Legislature passes rainy day plan, budget fix
AUGUSTA — The Legislature has soundly approved an emergency bill spearheaded by Gov. Paul LePage to restore $21 million to the state’s rainy day fund and another emergency measure to fill a $40 million hole in this year’s budget. The bills both passed with zero debate, but the ease with which they cruised through the […]
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Legislature overrides veto on bill that lets retired teachers work at full pay
AUGUSTA — The Senate on Thursday voted overwhelmingly to override a veto by Gov. Paul LePage of a bill to let retired teachers back into the classroom at full pay for up to five years. The 29-5 Senate vote comes a day after the House also overrode the veto with a vote of 133-5. The […]
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Maine House tries to revive tribal gambling bills
AUGUSTA — The House of Representatives on Thursday attempted to revive Native American gaming bills that were soundly rejected Wednesday night in the Senate. In a series of votes Thursday morning, the House voted unanimously to “insist” on passage of two bills that would allow the construction of a casino on tribal lands in Aroostook County and […]
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LePage wants to get rid of term limits for legislators
AUGUSTA — Maine Gov. Paul LePage says the state must take “term limits and throw them out of the window.” LePage said Thursday that term limits means the Legislature is full of young people with “firm agendas” who pass bills that “are hurting us for the long haul.” The Republican governor made his remarks at […]
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Tribal leaders lash out when Senate stops gambling bills
AUGUSTA — The Senate slammed the door on six bills Wednesday night that involved the expansion of casinos and gaming, including three that would have have allowed more gaming opportunities for Maine’s Native American tribes. The other rejected bills would have expanded the use of slot machines for fraternal organizations and harness racing opportunities. R. […]
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Democrats show little support for LePage’s tax cut referendum
AUGUSTA — Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s proposal to ask voters if they want to cut taxes and government spending got a cool response from Democrats on a legislative panel that began eyeing the bill Wednesday. LePage wants the state to hold a referendum in June asking voters if they want to lower income tax rates, implement […]
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Budget panel reaches compromise on LePage’s rainy-day proposal
AUGUSTA — The Appropriations Committee has approved Gov. Paul LePage’s plan to replenish the state’s rainy-day fund to $60 million and has agreed unanimously to move forward the contents of a controversial $17 million amendment that was previously attached to the bill separately. Many of the committee’s votes came at near 3 a.m. Wednesday after […]
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Maine House passes Medicaid expansion without the votes to survive veto
AUGUSTA — Maine’s Democratic-led House gave initial approval Tuesday to a bill to expand Medicaid coverage to low-income residents under the federal health care law, but the bill crafted by two moderate Republican senators will need to garner more support in both chambers to survive a future veto from Republican Gov. Paul LePage. The proposal, […]