PORTLAND — The Maine Supreme Judicial Court has found that a set of 65 bills that Republican Gov. Paul LePage was contesting have become law. The opinion came just six days after the court heard lawyers for LePage and the Legislature’s caucus leaders make their case, with one side arguing LePage had missed his veto […]
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Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Maine’s high court hears LePage case against Legislature’s adjournment
PORTLAND — A set of questions that — depending on how they are answered — could tip Maine government on its ear were heard by the state’s highest court Friday. The justices of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court seemed to be carefully considering both sides as they prepared to give an advisory opinion to Republican […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Live Chat Replay: Panel discusses LePage’s questions before Maine’s high court
We will discuss the arguments before the justices with a panel of political and legal experts, including Steve Robinson, Lance Dutson and Peter Brann, as lawyers for the governor and the Legislature make their oral arguments starting at 9 a.m. Robinson is a former staffer for the Maine Heritage Policy Center and editor emeritus of […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Maine
Group rallies around ballot question to reform Maine campaign laws
AUGUSTA – A group hoping to reform Maine’s campaign finance laws with a statewide ballot question this November rallied at the State House on Tuesday with about 200 supporters in tow. The ballot question requires more disclosures for political advertising and steep increases in the fines for campaigns and candidates that violate Maine election laws. […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Paul LePage asks Maine Supreme Court to rule on vetoes, adjournment
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage has asked the Maine Supreme Judicial Court to arbitrate his dispute with the Legislature about whether 65 bills have become law. The request, made Friday, follows recent controversy over dozens of bills lawmakers and most independent legal authorities — including Attorney General Janet Mills — say have become law because […]
Posted inMaine
Whimper, not bang, ends 2015 Maine lawmaking session
Happy clapping Maine Senate. Posted by Scott Thistle on Thursday, July 16, 2015 AUGUSTA — An often tumultuous first half of the 127th Maine legislative session came to a nondramatic close Thursday more than six months after it started — making it one of the longest in recent state history. Beyond a smattering of official […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislature rejects vetoes of 65 bills slated to become law
It was the latest development in a bizarre dispute that has enveloped Augusta for a week. LePage held 71 bills for longer than the 10 days normally afforded him to veto legislation, prompting many lawmakers and the state’s attorney general to declare the bills had become law without the governor’s signature. On Thursday, LePage delivered […]
Posted inMaine
Land for Maine’s Future bonds put Jonathan LaBonte in tough spot
AUGUSTA — Auburn Mayor Jonathan LaBonte, former executive director of the Androscoggin Land Trust and a well-known supporter of land conservation, is in a seemingly tough spot these days. LaBonte, who left the land trust in 2014 to become the director of Gov. Paul LePage’s Office of Policy and Management, is now responsible for scrutinizing […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine Legislature to end session with a light day
AUGUSTA — Maine lawmakers had been bracing for a busy final day in Augusta dedicated to trying to override Gov. Paul LePage’s vetoes. But their to-do list when they return Thursday will be much shorter than they had expected. Dozens of bills that they had anticipated that LePage would veto are now the subject of […]
Posted inMaine
Maine legislator dies of cancer Wednesday
AUGUSTA — State Rep. William Noon, D-Sanford, died Wednesday after a long battle with cancer, according to a news release from House Speaker Mark Eves. Noon, 66, died just one day before the Legislature was set to reconvene and finalize its work for 2015. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and colleague […]