State Sen. Eric Brakey, an Auburn Republican, got the job he was hoping for in the new legislative session. Brakey will continue as the Senate chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, a perch that allows him to delve into the details of welfare and other issues in which he has a keen interest. […]
legislature
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. Paul LePage meets with Democratic legislators
A meeting between Republican Gov. Paul LePage and Senate Democrats on Tuesday left the leader of the Democratic caucus hopeful that a new era of cooperation with LePage has begun. Senate Minority Leader Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, said he invited a representative from LePage’s office to Tuesday’s meeting to answer questions about the upcoming session but […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Republicans up pressure on Democrats to OK LePage’s new mental health facility
Republicans are increasing the pressure on Democratic leaders to reverse last week’s decision to block Gov. Paul LePage’s proposed facilty to house forensic mental health patients in Augusta. The LePage administration has billed the new facility as a way to regain the federal certification that Riverview Psychiatric Center lost in 2013, putting millions of dollars […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
No surprises as Legislature elects Maine’s constitutional officers
AUGUSTA — Members of the new 128th Legislature re-elected all four of Maine’s constitutional officers Wednesday in secret-ballot elections at the State House. Treasurer Terry Hayes, Attorney General Janet Mills, Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap and State Auditor Pola Buckley were all returned to office. None of those elections came as a surprise. The political […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. Paul LePage swears in Legislature, warns of economic peril
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage swore in the new Legislature on Wednesday, but only after delivering a short speech to both chambers renewing his call to alter tax and minimum wage proposals passed by voters in November. It was a break for policy talk on the day of pomp and circumstance, mostly reserved for the […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine’s 128th legislature arrives in Augusta for swearing-in
AUGUSTA (AP) — The newly elected members of Maine’s legislature are traveling to Augusta to be sworn in. The session officially convenes on Wednesday. November’s election left the Legislature increasingly divided, and GOP Gov. Paul LePage and the Democrats’ nominated House Speaker Sara Gideon are already at odds over oversight of a proposed mental health […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Lawmakers skeptical of LePage plan to build psychiatric unit
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage’s pledge to move a proposed mental health facility out of Augusta to bypass legislative approval caused disappointment among lawmakers who said that wouldn’t be necessary if LePage’s administration would share its plans in public. At issue is the LePage administration’s attempt to build a stand-alone facility for mentally ill patients […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Lewiston has new clout as Legislature gets to work
AUGUSTA — When a newly elected Legislature gathers for its first session Wednesday, Lewiston lawmakers will be right in the thick of it. Two of the city’s Democratic lawmakers — state Sen. Nate Libby and state Rep. Jared Golden — are among the dozen members chosen by their colleagues to lead them through what may […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Democratic leaders block Gov. LePage’s $3 million Riverview plan
AUGUSTA — Construction of a crucial forensic psychiatric unit in Augusta was dealt a blow by Democratic legislative leaders who, using an oft-overlooked oversight power, voted against Gov. Paul LePage’s administration’s plan on Wednesday. LePage and the Department of Health and Human Services have been trying for months to start work on the building, which […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
GOP leader Ken Fredette doubts Legislature has the ‘courage’ for tax reform
Battle lines are already drawn in another tax reform attempt that lies in wait at the State House for the newly elected Legislature. Republican Gov. Paul LePage and the executive branch have been working for months on crafting a state government budget proposal for the next two years, which will likely be presented to lawmakers […]