“We have gone to great lengths to demonstrate good faith and cooperation, only to be lied to,” Fred Moore, tribal chief of the Passamaquoddy at Pleasant Point, said during a rally held outside the State House. “We have gotten on our knees for the last time,” Kirk Francis, chief of the Penobscot Nation, said. “From […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Rotundo says time running out for tax reform
AUGUSTA — With precious little time left before a two-year state spending plan must be passed, the top Democratic budget negotiator said Friday there’s little chance for a comprehensive tax reform package identified by Gov. Paul LePage as his top fiscal priority. “It’s difficult, at this point, to do any meaningful kind of tax reform,” […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Health committee OKs bill restricting vaccination exemption
AUGUSTA — A bill designed to ensure parents have reliable, accurate information before deciding not to have their children vaccinated won a green light from lawmakers on the health committee. The bill, LD 471, would require parents to consult with a doctor before claiming an exemption from state vaccine requirements for their children on “philosophical” […]
Posted inMaine
Maine Senate approves 9-month limit on General Assistance
AUGUSTA — A bill that limits city-run General Assistance welfare benefits to nine months for childless people who are capable of working cleared the Maine Senate on a bipartisan, 24-11 vote Thursday. The bill, LD 1035, sponsored by state Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, also gained the backing of Lewiston city officials. The measure allows a […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine Senate OKs bill to dock absent lawmakers’ pay
AUGUSTA — The Maine Senate has given final approval to a bill that would cut the pay of lawmakers who don’t show up at work. Republican Sen. Linda Baker’s bill was enacted with a 28-6 vote Wednesday. Under the bill, a lawmaker with more than five unexcused absences in the first regular session would see […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine House kills cellphone ban for drivers
AUGUSTA — A bill that sought to prohibit drivers from using hand-held cellphones has been defeated in the Maine Legislature. The Democratic-led House voted 82-65 against an amended version of Republican Sen. Roger Katz’s bill on Wednesday. The bill is now dead. The Republican-controlled Senate had modified the proposal to reduce the penalties for offenders […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Analysis: How to create a bill that LePage will veto
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage long ago established that he’ll use the full breadth of his constitutional powers to advance the policy agenda he believes is best for Maine. He has withheld voter-approved bonds, refused to nominate people for the Public Utilities Commission and Board of Corrections, and perhaps most noticeably, he issued more than […]
Posted inFranklin
Senator accepted flight from J.D. Irving while promoting looser mining laws
A Republican state senator who is among those leading the fight to pass legislation to benefit J.D. Irving’s proposal to develop an open-pit mine in the North Woods accepted a free private plane ride to Aroostook from Irving’s lobbyists and didn’t report it to the state ethics commission. Sen. Thomas Saviello of Wilton said he […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine Senate overrides veto of moose permit transfers
AUGUSTA — Maine’s Senate is overriding Republican Governor Paul LePage’s veto of a bill that would allow the state to let a hunter transfer a coveted moose hunting permit to a family member in certain cases. The Republican-controlled Senate unanimously voted to override LePage’s veto on Tuesday. LePage vetoed the bill and issued a statement […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine Senate approves funding for cold-case unit
AUGUSTA — An effort to fund a unit of law enforcement officers to reopen unsolved homicide cases advanced Tuesday in the Maine Senate. The Legislature passed a bill last year to create the cold case homicide unit in the attorney general’s office but failed to appropriate the necessary funding. With no state money available, the […]