AUGUSTA — Maine lawmakers have overturned Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of a bill that will provide students the chance to learn how to perform CPR and use automated external defibrillators. The Republican-controlled Senate voted 31-4 to override LePage’s veto of Republican Rep. Matt Pouliot’s bill on Thursday. The Democratic-led House supported the veto override with […]
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Committee expected to vote on LePage’s nominee to PUC after delay
PORTLAND — The Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee is expected to take up the nomination of economist Bruce Williamson to the Maine Public Utilities Commision on Thursday, but a late-session flurry of activity could interfere with those plans. Republican Senate staff, Democratic House staff and the committee’s clerk said a vote is likely Thursday […]
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State government shutdown possibility haunts budget talks
While majority Republicans in the Senate and Democrats in both chambers had reached a tentative deal Sunday evening, the House GOP caucus, backed by Gov. Paul LePage, is holding out for a deal that includes income tax cuts. Support from at least some House Republicans is needed to reach the two-thirds threshold necessary to pass […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Video: LePage says he has nothing to do with robocalls by daughter
PORTLAND — Gov. Paul LePage told reporters in Portland on Wednesday that he had nothing to do with robocalls against Republican senators circulated earlier this week by his daughter and her organization, Maine People Before Politics. Lauren LePage’s voice was on robocalls Monday evening that criticized Senate President Mike Thibodeau, R-Winterport, and Senate Majority Leader […]
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Work waiver for some food stamp users passes Maine House
AUGUSTA — Maine’s Democratic-controlled House of Representatives backed a bill Wednesday to waive work requirements for some food stamp recipients, but the measure doesn’t appear to have enough support to survive a near certain veto from Republican Gov. Paul LePage. Since October, healthy adults without children have had to work at least 20 hours a week, […]
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Legislature’s budget committee rejects LePage tax plan
AUGUSTA — At the same time Gov. Paul LePage was promising Lisbon residents he would take his campaign to end Maine’s income tax to the people in a statewide ballot vote, lawmakers at the State House voted against his tax and budget proposals. Tuesday evening, the Legislature’s budget-writing Appropriations Committee nixed an income tax cut […]
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LePage says he won’t sign ‘constitutional carry’ bill because of age limit
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage said Tuesday he would not sign a bill that would make it legal for adults over 21 to carry concealed handguns without permits. LePage, in a telephone interview with radio station WVOM, said he was opposed to the age restriction added to the bill by the Maine House of Representatives […]
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Audio: Lauren LePage robocall blasts Senate Republicans for budget deal
AUGUSTA — A nonprofit political organization led by Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s daughter launched automated phone calls Tuesday criticizing GOP senators for a state budget deal they crafted with Democrats that doesn’t include his top priorities. In the robocall, , executive director of Maine People Before Politics, says Republican senators are “working behind the scenes with […]
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Supporters worry LePage could veto alcohol amnesty bill
AUGUSTA — A bill aimed at encouraging minors to seek help for alcohol poisoning is sitting on Gov. Paul LePage’s desk and, according to its supporters, is at risk of being vetoed by the governor. Overconsumption of alcohol poisoning is a leading cause of death among young people in the United States, according to the […]
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Senate OKs Bruce Williamson to Public Utilities Commission
AUGUSTA — All three members of the Maine Public Utilities Commission will be Gov. Paul LePage appointees after the Maine Senate confirmed Bruce Williamson’s nomination to the board on Tuesday. The Republican-led Senate voted 25-10 in favor of Williamson’s nomination to the panel, which regulates utilities and shapes energy policy in the state. Williamson will replace […]