With no agreement in sight on a two-year budget in the Maine Legislature, the state is as close to a government shutdown as it has been since 1991. Gov. Paul LePage has wide authority to determine which state employees work during a shutdown. While he hasn’t released a plan, he sent a memo to state […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislature moves closer to budget deal
A six-person special budget committee edged closer to a deal Wednesday afternoon but more work remains before sending a package to the full Legislature for votes. Meanwhile, the clock ticks as lawmakers must pass a budget with two-thirds majorities in the House and Senate and have Gov. Paul LePage act on it by 11:59 p.m. […]
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Analysis: Today is the day to reach state budget deal to avoid shutdown
It’s the day of reckoning in Augusta. We’ve been giving you updates on the state budget process day after day and ticking off a number of deadlines by which lawmakers must act or cause a government shutdown. Today marks perhaps the hardest deadline yet. The six-member conference committee formed by legislative leaders two weeks ago […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Paul LePage tells Dems to pass GOP budget or there will be a shutdown
A Friday meeting between Gov. Paul LePage and the Legislature’s top Democrat inflamed partisan tension at the State House and made clear that, even if lawmakers pass a budget this week, state government could shut down Saturday. A Democratic account of that meeting was circulating around Facebook during the weekend, saying the Republican governor told […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
State House efforts to combat drug epidemic gets mixed reviews
AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine lawmakers hope new laws expanding access to the opioid reversal drug naloxone will stem overdose deaths. But advocacy groups say Maine hasn’t done enough prevention and treatment in the midst of a crisis. Drug overdose deaths in the state rose to 376 last year, from 208 in 2014. Republican Gov. Paul […]
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Bill would give preference to Maine, U.S. companies
AUGUSTA (AP) — A Democratic senator’s bill to give preference to Maine and U.S. companies in state contracts is receiving support in the Senate. Lawmakers voted Thursday to approve Sen. Troy Jackson’s bill that would give preference among similar bids to in-state contractors. Republican Sen. Tom Saviello’s amendment would allow businesses to qualify as in-state […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine state workers fear looming government shutdown
AUGUSTA (AP) — State workers in Maine are bracing for a potential government shutdown. The Kennebec Journal reported (http://bit.ly/2rZciKY ) Maine’s Legislature voted for an extension to determine a state spending plan for the next two years Wednesday. Gov. Paul LePage explained the government was preparing for a possible shutdown the day before the vote. […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Future of new ranked-choice voting system remains unclear
AUGUSTA (AP) — The future of Maine’s statewide voting system approved by voters last fall remains unclear as lawmakers debate. The state Supreme Judicial Court this year issued a nonbinding decision that the method is unconstitutional when it comes to elections for governor and state lawmakers. The law, as it stands, would allow residents to […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine lawmakers consider raising smoking age to 21
AUGUSTA (AP) — A Maine Republican’s bill to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21 is headed to the House. The Maine Senate on Thursday voted 31-4 against an effort to kill the bill. The bill also expands the definition of tobacco products to include electronic smoking devices. The amended bill would […]
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Gov. Paul LePage says no to 'noxious' spinach bill
AUGUSTA — Water spinach sounds like something Popeye would appreciate. But Gov. Paul LePage has a different take on the vegetable. A tasty green that’s long been a staple in Southeast Asia and Brazil, water spinach is listed as a federal noxious weed under the U.S. Plant Protection Act. As one of 112 federally recognized […]