AUGUSTA — A group that represents one of Maine’s largest voting blocs is decrying Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of a bill that was meant to provide no-cost protection against identity theft. AARP Maine and the Maine Council on Aging, along with a group of financial advocates, said Monday that LePage’s veto of LD 382 “baffled” them. […]
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Posted inMaine
Maine Democrats rip GOP leader on forcing state budget standoff
AUGUSTA – After late-night negotiations Sunday that apparently moved the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee closer to a deal on a roughly $6.57 billion two-year state budget that must be in place by July 1 to avoid a government shutdown, the political battle among Republicans over including tax cuts in that budget hardened Monday. Senate President Mike Thibodeau, […]
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Maine Senate OKs ban on powdered alcohol
AUGUSTA — A bill to ban powdered alcohol is quickly moving forward in the Maine Legislature. The Republican-controlled Maine Senate voted 29-4 on Monday to give initial approval to Democratic Rep. Mick Devin’s bill. The Democratic-led House supported the bill with a 138-1 vote last week. Lawmakers are hoping to ban powdered alcohol, or Palcohol, […]
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Video: LePage goes on offensive against Democratic rivals
AUGUSTA — In a nearly hourlong news conference Friday, Republican Gov. Paul LePage unleashed a barrage of criticism against his Democratic rivals in the Legislature — at one point suggesting Sen. Justin Alfond, D-Portland, be placed in a “playpen.” “I just had lunch with sixth-graders,” LePage said, “and they are more mature than the leadership […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislature puts off vote on tribal fishing bill
AUGUSTA — The Maine House of Representatives is putting off a vote on an American Indian tribal group’s call for shared management of commercial fish species. The Legislature chose to put off its vote on Friday. The bill is likely to fail when it comes back for a vote. The Joint Standing Committee on Marine […]
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Legislative panel rejects bill legalizing marijuana in Maine
AUGUSTA — A legislative committee has voted to reject a bill seeking to legalize marijuana for recreational use in Maine, but supporters say the real fight will be on the House floor. Democratic Rep. Diane Russell’s bill was rejected Thursday by the criminal justice committee and would have allowed people 21 and older to have […]
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Maine legislators to consider $5 million job training bill
AUGUSTA — A legislative committee has supported a measure to support job training programs across Maine. The bill introduced by Democratic House Speaker Mark Eves would provide $5 million over five years to create job-training programs at community colleges through public-private partnerships. The measure seeks to increase job training in high-demand fields, like forest products […]
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Group seeks to end corporate influence in elections, makes case before Legislature
AUGUSTA — A group hoping to reel in the influence of corporate money in politics and overturn a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling brought its message to the State House on Thursday. The group, We the People Maine, part of a national grassroots movement pushing to amend the U.S. Constitution to ensure that corporations are […]
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Maine Senate, House each override 2 LePage vetoes
AUGUSTA — The Maine Senate has voted to override Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of a bill that would provide car decals to young drivers so parents and law enforcement can more easily identify intermediate license holders. The Senate voted 23-11 to support the bill Wednesday. It also overrode LePage’s veto of a bill concerning health […]
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LePage administration proposes public defender’s office
AUGUSTA — The Legislature’s Judiciary Committee is considering a proposal to create a public defenders system in Maine. Maine is the only state without a public defender’s office. The bill co-sponsored by committee chairmen Sen. David Burns, R-Whiting, and Rep. Barry Hobbins, D-Saco, that would create a public defender’s office was submitted by Gov. Paul LePage, according […]