PORTLAND — Long before Donald Trump laid waste to political correctness, there was Maine Gov. Paul LePage. For five years now, the Republican has hurled crude insults, heaped abuse on the media and offended many with his brass-knuckle tactics and off-the-cuff remarks — most recently last week, when he complained that out-of-state drug dealers with […]
legislature
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine anti-drug bill advances, but funding questions loom
AUGUSTA — A $3.7 million bill aimed at Maine’s drug crisis was advanced by the Legislature’s budget-writing committee on Tuesday, but top House Republicans are opposed to one of its funding sources. The proposal, which would fund 10 new drug agents and expand treatment, education and recovery options, was rolled out by legislative leaders in […]
advertisement
Posted inLivermore Falls Advertiser, Maine
Emerge Maine, hoping to add female lawmakers, announces candidates
AUGUSTA — An organization that hopes to increase the number of Democratic women serving as lawmakers at the State House in Maine announced 18 candidates for 2016 on Tuesday. Emerge Maine, which conducts training and workshops for female, elected officials and candidates, announced the candidates — including 10 incumbents — during a news conference at […]
Posted inMaine
Bill seeks to strengthen Maine’s new revenge porn law
AUGUSTA — A bill that makes it easier for a victim of “revenge porn” to more quickly get a protection from abuse order gained support Monday from range of organizations that help victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse. The bill, LD 1487, is co-sponsored by Rep. Lori Fowle, D-Vassalboro, and Rep. Ken Fredette, R-Newport. […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Common core standards debated in legislative hearing
AUGUSTA — Education organizations in Maine opposed a bill to repeal the state’s involvement in the Common Core State Standards over objections that the standards are confusing and rob communities of local control over their schools. The bill, LD 1492, sponsored by Rep. William Tuell, R-East Machias, would end Maine’s participation in the Common Core […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Panel releases report on Paul LePage’s role in Good Will-Hinckley affair
AUGUSTA — A Maine legislative committee is finished with its work on hearings focusing on the governor’s actions that led an organization to rescind a job offer to a political opponent. The Government Oversight Committee on Friday attached a summary of its work to go along with an independent report that already was prepared for […]
Posted inMaine
Maine Legislative session opens on positive, busy note
AUGUSTA — With only a small dose of political stagecraft, the Maine Legislature got off to a quick start Wednesday, sending dozens of bills to committee and plowing forward on the reauthorization of millions of dollars in land conservation bonds. Lawmakers also got to work on a bill designed to fight a growing heroin problem […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Competing rallies show divide over Gov. Paul LePage
AUGUSTA — The debate over whether the Legislature should impeach Gov. Paul LePage spilled outside the State House on Wednesday with dueling rallies between the governor’s supporters and opponents. Wednesday was the day that the House of Representatives had planned to take up an impeachment order that is sponsored by nine Democrats and independents. Introduction […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislature, Paul LePage agree to revive expired LMF bonds
AUGUSTA — You’re reading it right: The 2016 legislative session started with agreement between legislators and Gov. Paul LePage to revive $6.5 million in expired conservation bonds. On Wednesday, the Maine House of Representatives recalled a bill from LePage’s desk that leaders said would allow the Republican governor to authorize the bonds for up to […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislators delay effort to impeach Gov. Paul LePage
AUGUSTA — The introduction of impeachment proceedings against Republican Gov. Paul LePage won’t proceed as planned on Wednesday, according to two of the measure’s sponsors. Reps. Jeff Evangelos, I-Friendship, and Ben Chipman, D-Portland, co-sponsors of the effort to impeach the governor, said Tuesday night that House leaders opted to hold off on introducing the impeachment […]