AUGUSTA — An unprecedented spree of vetoes by Republican Gov. Paul LePage is taking a toll on the Legislature in more ways than one. LePage on Thursday issued 64 line-item vetoes in a $6.7 billion, two-year spending package, objecting to what he considers wasteful spending. He also said he intended to waste lawmakers’ time. A […]
Maine
Posted inMaine
LePage uses toy pig, Christmas tree to protest secret budget deal [Video]
AUGUSTA — Republican Gov. Paul LePage called on the people of Maine to hold state lawmakers accountable for crafting secret budget deals in closed-door meetings and beyond the view of the public. LePage on Wednesday stood before a small artificial Christmas tree decorated with the photos of a bipartisan group of lawmakers who LePage said […]
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Legislature takes first steps toward passing budget, avoiding shutdown
AUGUSTA, Maine — By late Tuesday night, the Legislature had taken the first steps toward approving a two-year, $6.7 billion spending plan and averting a government shutdown. Representatives in the House gave the compromise unanimous support in an initial vote Tuesday evening, and the Senate unanimously passed a slightly modified version several hours later around […]
Posted inMaine
Transparency advocates question secret budget deal
AUGUSTA — Legislative leaders on both sides of the political aisle Tuesday defended a $6.7 billion state budget and tax bill crafted largely in secret negotiations between party leaders, saying they ran out of time to follow a more public process. Changes to a budget bill that was previously approved on a 9-4 bipartisan vote […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine House OKs budget deal that includes tax cuts, welfare reform
AUGUSTA — A two-year state $6.6 billion budget deal tentatively agreed to by Maine’s top Democratic and Republican lawmakers and awaiting votes in the Legislature will include income tax cuts and welfare reforms but not to the extent Republican Gov. Paul LePage wanted. Lawmakers did accept some of LePage’s budget proposals including the elimination of the […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine House, Senate leaders announce budget deal
AUGUSTA — Legislative leaders announced late Monday night that after weeks of negotiations they have reached a deal on the state budget for the next two years. In a joint written statement, House and Senate leaders said the deal includes tax cuts, investment in students and workers, property tax relief and welfare reform. Details of […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Auburn funds summer lunchtime concert series
AUBURN — A series of lunchtime concerts won city support Monday night, but a cultural planning effort will have to wait. City councilors voted 6-0 to set aside $4,000 from the city’s arts and culture budget for L/A Arts to sponsor the concerts. L/A Arts is proposing to host a four-concert series in Auburn’s Festival […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
LA Charter wins Auburn support, foes promise recall
AUBURN — Supporters of the Lewiston-Auburn Charter Commission won the support of the Auburn City Council narrowly Monday night, but resident Joe Gray promised to take it away as quickly as possible. Councilors Monday reconsidered their June 2 vote on support for commission’s process. The charter commission needs both Lewiston and Auburn City Councils to […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Crowdfunding helps pay for child’s cancer care
FALMOUTH — When Henry Morgan was born 13 months ago, he was just like any other healthy baby. His first birthday party in late April was lumberjack themed, Henry’s mother, Meghan, said, because “he had the appetite of a lumberjack.” But soon she suspected something wasn’t right. His stomach became hard and he lost his […]
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Price tag holds up handgun bill
AUGUSTA — Despite winning majority votes in the Maine Legislature, a bill doing away with permit requirements for those carrying a concealed handgun might be holstered because of its price tag. The bill, LD 652, will cost the state more than $200,000 a year in lost permit and fine revenue and could cost as much […]