WEST PARIS — Maine State Police Trooper Jason Wing said the agency is offering to have troopers give presentations to communities in order to stop the flow of illegal drugs into Maine. “The key is, we obviously want to get the community involved,” Wing told members of the Ring McKeen American Legion Post 151 on Friday. He […]
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Bill for biomass life support approved by Maine Legislature
AUGUSTA — In a last-minute bid to help Maine’s struggling biomass industry, the Legislature on Friday approved $13.4 million in aid aimed at keeping four working plants, including those in Stratton and Livermore Falls, open for another two years. The bill gained broad bipartisan support, even from fiscal conservatives who had vowed they wouldn’t increase […]
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Maine welfare reform bill brings tighter scrutiny and stronger penalties
AUGUSTA — In an end-of-session compromise, a pair of Lewiston-Auburn state senators, a Democrat and a Republican, advanced legislation that tightens oversight and increases penalties for welfare recipients who abuse the system. Prior to Friday, the legislation, first offered by Sen. Nate Libby, D-Lewiston, and aimed at limiting purchases made with electronic benefit transfer cards […]
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Bill to boost Maine law officers’ pay heads to LePage
AUGUSTA — A bill that boosts the pay of law enforcement officers, including troopers, game wardens, fire marshals and marine patrol officers and their supervisors, by 12 to 18 percent is on its way to the desk of Gov. Paul LePage after a vote in the Maine Senate. The bill, LD 1523, originally provided pay […]
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House passes bond bill for transportation, as Maine lawmakers scurry to finish
AUGUSTA — The Maine Legislature on Friday passed a package of bonding bills that will ask voters to borrow as much as $150 million in the state’s next budget cycle. Included in a series of bills that were approved by lawmakers is $100 million for highways, bridges, ports and intermodal facilities, $45 million to fuel […]
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LePage signs into law recommendations of veterans commission
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage on Thursday signed into law legislation meant to strengthen and modernize Maine’s Bureau of Veterans’ Services and provide state community college and university tuition to members of the Maine National Guard. The legislation, largely based on the recommendations of a special commission that was set up by the Legislature in […]
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Ben Carson to give keynote address at Maine GOP convention
BANGOR (AP) — Former presidential candidate Ben Carson will be the keynote speaker at the Maine Republican Party state convention on April 22. Carson, who ended his campaign prior to Maine’s Republican caucus on March 5, will speak on the first day of the two-day convention. Republican Gov. Paul LePage, who like Carson has endorsed […]
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Legislature approves bill to create presidential primaries in Maine
AUGUSTA — The Legislature has sent Gov. Paul LePage a bill that would move Maine back to a statewide presidential primary in 2020. It’s a move LePage has said he supports, but at least a handful of state lawmakers are questioning whether all taxpayers should have to foot the $1 million to $2 million bill […]
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Let there be roller derby! Maine legalizes sport
Skate on! Roller derby is officially legal in Maine. An emergency bill that looked to expand the state’s roller-skating statute to allow physical contact during derby practices, clinics and bouts became law this week. Heather “Hard Dash” Steeves of Portland, who skates on the Maine Roller Derby’s internationally ranked all-star team, said there was never […]
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By one vote Maine Senate agrees to expand Medicaid, bill faces all-but-certain veto
AUGUSTA – By a single vote Tuesday night, Sen. Tom Saviello, R-Wilton, secured approval of his proposal to expand the state’s Medicaid system, MaineCare, by using federal funds to buy private insurance for the state’s poorest residents. But Saviello was joined by only two of his Republican colleagues, as well as the entire caucus of […]