AUGUSTA — A seemingly radical idea to create a couple of places where drug-addicted Mainers could go to shoot up in safety drew passionate debate from lawmakers who ultimately turned down the idea. Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, said the notion of creating a safe, secure place for addicts to take prohibited drugs legally might seem […]
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Maine lawmakers to vote on slew of vetoes but no budget
AUGUSTA — Wednesday marks the statutory adjournment date for the Legislature, which means that’s the day that was set months ago for lawmakers to wrap up their work. To go beyond that day will require a vote of the Legislature, a routine matter which in the past has caused controversy. Lawmakers are not paid salaries for […]
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Paul LePage rejoins Maine budget fight as shutdown fears grow
AUGUSTA — Five months and 10 days after he floated a two-year budget proposal largely ignored by the Legislature, Gov. Paul LePage has muscled his way back into their stalled and dysfunctional budget process with the state as close as it’s been to a shutdown during his tenure. Senate President Mike Thibodeau, R-Winterport, said Friday morning […]
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Legislators turn to small group of lawmakers for budget deal
AUGUSTA (AP) — A small group of lawmakers has the task of coming up with a budget deal over the next few days and averting a government shutdown at the peak of the state’s tourism season. Lawmakers have arrived at a deadlock on education funding after months of deliberation, and negotiations over a final budget […]
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Gov. Paul LePage vetoes ‘politically motivated power grab’
AUGUSTA — Frustrated that some executive branch officials have ignored requests by lawmakers to offer testimony and advice, the Legislature recently passed a measure that would compel commissioners to show up when called. Calling it “a politically motivated power grab,” Gov. Paul LePage vetoed the proposal Monday. “Too often, legislators use public hearings for the […]
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Democrats, hoping to avert shutdown, send Maine budget to special panel
AUGUSTA — Democrats in the Maine House of Representatives advanced their two-year budget proposal on Monday, but it was merely a procedural move that pushed the Legislature closer to a little-used process that will place the budget in the hands of a new panel. It likely means that a committee of three Republicans and three […]
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By a single vote, House knocks out bill sought by pro-life activists
AUGUSTA — By a single vote, the House Friday opposed a measure that would allow the family of a viable fetus at least 24 weeks old who dies before birth to bring a wrongful death suit. Opponents worry the proposal is meant to jam a foot in the door by abortion foes in the hope […]
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Maine casino referendum attorneys refuse to accept ethics panel’s subpoenas
AUGUSTA — Attorneys for the backers of a York County casino referendum walked out of a hearing on Friday without accepting subpoenas for financial records after the state’s ethics watchdog voted to investigate them. The probe will focus on $4.3 million in campaign funds as of March’s end given to Lisa Scott, a Miami woman […]
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Maine House upholds veto of bill to release $15M senior housing bonds
AUGUSTA (AP) — The Maine House has failed to override the governor’s veto of a bill aimed at forcing him to release $15 million in bonds for senior citizen housing that voters approved two years ago. The Maine House vote on Thursday was 89-58, short of the two-thirds necessary to overturn the veto. That followed […]
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Feds want Maine to pay back $51 million in Riverview funds
AUGUSTA — A federal health care watchdog has again found fault with Maine’s treatment of people with acute mental illness at the Riverview Psychiatric Center, ordering that the state repay $51 million in federal aid. Gov. Paul LePage announced Thursday that the state will appeal the decision, calling it a “financial tsunami.” At issue is […]