AUGUSTA — Lawmakers are considering a bill inspired by the late actor Peter Falk of the hit TV series “Columbo.” The bill, crafted by Falk’s daughter, protects family members’ rights to visit ailing or incapacitated loved ones. Catherine Falk became an advocate for family members’ rights after taking legal action to see her father at […]
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David Dutremble resigns from Maine Senate, cites alcohol addiction
AUGUSTA — A Maine state senator is resigning, saying he is struggling with alcohol addiction. Sen. David Dutremble, a Democrat from Biddeford, announced Wednesday that he is resigning, effective Thursday. In a statement, Dutremble says he has been battling alcohol abuse and wants to focus on his recovery. Two weeks ago, he said that he […]
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Lawmakers eye additional bills to fight drug crisis in Maine
AUGUSTA — A bill meant to toughen sentences for those convicted of trafficking illegal drugs or importing them into Maine was met with mixed reactions from the Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee on Monday. The bill, LD 1541, offered by Sen. Scott Cyrway, R-Benton, would increase the classifications of trafficking crimes as well […]
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Maine to consider self-defense immunity for National Guard
PORTLAND (AP) — Maine’s veterans department wants state lawmakers to pass a bill that provides civil and criminal immunity to Maine National Guard members who act in self-defense while on duty. The state Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management proposed a bill that states a guard member’s use of deadly force for self-defense or […]
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Riverview staffing shortages get attention in legislative hearing
AUGUSTA — Staffing shortages at Riverview Psychiatric Center will prompt a report from the retired Maine Supreme Judicial Court chief justice who oversees the state’s compliance with a court order. The state-run, 92-bed hospital on Augusta’s east side has struggled for years. The most recent problems culminated in Riverview’s 2013 decertification by the federal Centers […]
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Legislature approves bill that revives $6.5 million conservation bonds
AUGUSTA — A bill that revives $6.5 million in voter-approved Land for Maine’s Future conservation bonds is heading to the desk of Gov. Paul LePage. The Maine Senate on Thursday voted unanimously to give final approval to the bill, following the unanimous approval by the House on Tuesday. The bill revives $6.5 million conservation bonds […]
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Legislative panel supports arts day for veterans in Maine
AUGUSTA — It may seem like a small gesture, but it’s a meaningful one for Maine veterans who are also artists. On Wednesday, the Legislature’s State and Local Government Committee voted unanimously in support of a bill that would establish Nov. 1 as Veterans in the Arts and Humanities Day. The committee moved the bill from […]
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Gov. Paul LePage says new anti-drug law is ‘just the first step’
AUGUSTA — The Legislature on Tuesday attached an amendment to leadership’s heavily debated anti-drug bill before unanimously enacting the bill and pushing it to Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s desk. Rep. Jeff Timberlake, R-Turner, said LePage signed the bill into law at about 2 p.m. Tuesday. “I’m pleased the House and Senate incorporated the common-sense recommendations […]
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Effort to impeach Gov. Paul LePage fails in Maine House
AUGUSTA — After a nearly three-hour debate Thursday, the House of Representatives voted 96-52 to kill an effort to bring an investigation that might have led to an impeachment trial in the state Senate for firebrand Republican Gov. Paul LePage. The successful vote on the motion to indefinitely postpone taking action on the issue largely removes […]
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Maine House kills effort to impeach Gov. Paul LePage
UPDATE: Effort to impeach Gov. Paul LePage fails in Maine House AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The latest on a legislative attempt to impeach Republican Gov. Paul LePage (all times local): UPDATED 2:50 p.m.: Maine Gov. Paul LePage says an attempt to launch an impeachment investigation amounted to a “nonsense” and “foolishness.” The Republican issued the statement […]