AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage’s bid to ask Maine voters if they want to eliminate the income tax was blocked in the Senate by Democrats on Tuesday. The bill garnered support from majority Republicans in the Senate but resistance from Democrats kept it from getting the necessary two-thirds support. LePage’s bill, LD 1367, will be […]
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Lewiston Democrat’s bill passes without LePage’s signature
AUGUSTA — On the same day Republican Gov. Paul LePage said he was following through on his promise to veto every Democratic-sponsored bill that comes to his desk, he let a bill by Rep. Michel Lajoie, D-Lewiston, go into law without his signature on Monday. LePage spokeswoman Adrienne Bennett provided the information about the bill […]
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LePage vetoes 10 Democrats’ bills due to income tax flap
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage on Monday made good on a previous threat to veto all Democrat-sponsored bills if the Legislature rejected his constitutional amendment to kill the income tax. Mere hours after the House of Representatives voted 82-64 against the bill, LePage released memos indicating he’d vetoed 10 bills sponsored by Democrats. Each of […]
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LePage says shutdown unnecessary, will call for continuing budget resolution
AUGUSTA — Republican Gov. Paul LePage said Monday that State House Democrats resorted to scare tactics around a state government shutdown and he would attempt to avoid a shutdown with a short-term budget resolution. In a short and impromptu news conference in his office Monday afternoon, LePage said he would offer lawmakers a bill that […]
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Minimum wage increase makes it through Maine House
AUGUSTA — The Maine House of Representatives has supported a bill that would raise the state’s $7.50 minimum wage to $9.50 by 2018. The Democratic-controlled House voted 81-66 to give initial approval to Democratic Rep. Dillon Bates’ bill on Monday. It would raise the minimum wage to $8 in October. It would then go up […]
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LePage’s referendum on income tax repeal rejected by Maine House
AUGUSTA — In a party-line vote Monday, Democratic lawmakers in the Maine House rejected a proposal by Gov. Paul LePage that would have asked voters whether they wanted to amend the state’s constitution to eliminate the income tax by 2020. The 82-64 vote against the bill was not unexpected but sets up a scenario where […]
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Conservative groups push Maine Republicans to reject budget deal
AUGUSTA — Several conservative groups are calling on Republicans in the Maine Senate to reject a proposed budget that doesn’t include income tax cuts or significant changes to welfare programs. Senate Republicans struck a tentative budget deal with Democrats earlier this week but House Republicans say they refuse to approve that spending plan because it […]
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Testing opt-out bill passes Maine House, goes to Senate
AUGUSTA — The Maine House has given initial approval to a bill that supporters say will ensure parents know their right to opt their children out of standardized tests. The House rejected an effort to kill the bill with an 80-62 vote Friday. The chamber then sent the bill to the Senate. Parents are already […]
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Maine budget in full stall as lawmakers grapple for compromise
On Thursday, LePage again turned up the heat by going public about his displeasure with the state Senate’s Republican majority leadership. During an hourlong radio chat Thursday morning, LePage blasted Senate Republicans, again accusing them of siding with House Democrats in stymieing his efforts to lower and eventually eliminate Maine’s income tax. “The conflict is this,” […]
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House approves concealed weapons bill with fix designed to satisfy LePage
AUGUSTA — A bill to allow Mainers to carry concealed handguns without a permit appears destined for Gov. Paul LePage’s desk after the House agreed Thursday to an amendment designed to win the governor’s support. The latest version of the bill, approved by bipartisan majorities in the House and Senate, would allow anyone older than 21, […]