Gov. Paul LePage is still eyeing ways to accomplish his long-stated goal of eliminating Maine’s income tax. Rather than try to sway a wary Legislature, the governor is looking at a referendum question that would let voters decide whether to do away with “this unruly income tax.” LePage told Portland radio station WGAN Thursday that […]
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Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Medicinal marijuana dispensaries vie to sell retail pot
AUGUSTA — Maine’s largest medical marijuana dispensary group is behind legislation that would allow dispensaries to sell into the state’s impending recreational market as rules for a wider distribution system are crafted. The move could give Maine’s eight dispensaries a leg up in the new market, but it’s already being dubbed a “money grab” by […]
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Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Maine lawmakers get down to business, slowly
AUGUSTA — The opening session of the Legislature on Wednesday was more like a giant family reunion than any sort of serious governing. “Here we are again,” said state Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn. Lawmakers chatted with old friends in the hallways, swapped stories with one another and, for the truly ambitious, searched out possible co-sponsors […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine legislators arrive in Augusta, face key issues
AUGUSTA — Legislators have arrived in Augusta for a new session where they’ll tackle issues from the state’s opioid crisis to the rollout of marijuana legalization. Legislators on Wednesday begin the task of delving through reams of proposed bills, as well as debating the fate of a privately-run psychiatric facility proposed by Republican Gov. Paul […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. Paul LePage promises to play nice with Legislature
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage is promising to play nice as legislators head to Augusta for a new session. LePage told WVOM-FM this week that he won’t be picking fights with legislators this year. The governor said that he’s not going to call legislators names and that he’s not going to pick on any individual. […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Maine lawmakers prepare to tackle wide range of issues
Live updates: Maine legislators arrive in Augusta, face key issues AUGUSTA — Lawmakers gathering Wednesday for the first session of the 128th Legislature will face tough decisions on everything from the budget to the regulation of marijuana sales. But they’ll also weigh in on less-weighty matters. Near the top of the Senate’s agenda, for example, is […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
LePage fretting about sinking state revenues
AUGUSTA — State revenues are coming up short, Gov. Paul LePage said Thursday during a radio interview. LePage said money flowing into state coffers came “to a complete screech” during November and December and are expected to remain low for at least the next couple of months. “We don’t know if that’s a […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Mason retains Senate positions
AUGUSTA — In addition to retaining his position as Senate majority leader in his fourth term, Lisbon Falls Republican Garrett Mason will serve once again as co-chairman of the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee. Mason’s work on the panel during the last legislative session “was especially noteworthy, and I have no doubt he will be […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Libby eager to begin work on watchdog panel
AUGUSTA — State Sen. Nate Libby, D-Lewiston, said Tuesday that he’s eager to get to work as a member of the Legislature’s watchdog committee. “The Government Oversight Committee is critically important in safeguarding the integrity and efficiency of state government,” Libby, the assistant leader of the Senate Democrats, said. The 12-member oversight panel, which Libby […]
Posted inMaine
Legislators no fans of term limits
AUGUSTA — The one sure thing about term limits is that the Legislature’s 186 members can’t stick around in the same position for too long. Nobody can serve more than eight consecutive years representing the same district before he’s forced to get out or at least run for a different office. But some politicians say […]