Maine
As Maine ages, policymakers focus on reversing trend
LEWISTON — A new set of data from the U.S. Census Bureau on 18- to 34-year-olds — known as “millennials” — hold both interesting and concerning details for Maine, the nation’s oldest state. According to the American Community Survey: 2009-2013, the segment of the U.S. population that’s made up of 18- to 34-year-olds is shrinking nationwide […]
LePage administers oath of office to lawmakers as 127th Legislature begins work
AUGUSTA — The 127th Maine Legislature officially began Wednesday after Gov. Paul LePage administered the oath of office to 186 new and returning lawmakers in the House and Senate. LePage’s comments in both chambers were brief. “There’s an awful lot of work in the state that needs to be done,” LePage first told the 149 […]
Maine Legislature elects Hayes treasurer, re-elects Mills, Dunlap
AUGUSTA — In an upset victory, the Maine Legislature elected former state Rep. Terry Hayes of Buckfield to the post of state treasurer Wednesday night. Hayes, who left the Democratic Party in late November, was elected as an independent and nominated by Republicans. She won the two-year post over incumbent Neria Douglass, an Auburn Democrat […]
Maine Senate votes to seat Manchester over Breen as ballot dispute continues
AUGUSTA — Despite an ongoing debate about the results of the election in Maine Senate District 25, majority Republicans in the Senate overwhelmed Democratic opposition to provisionally seat GOP candidate Cathy Manchester on Wednesday morning. Manchester’s opponent, Democrat Cathy Breen, was declared the victor by a 32-vote margin in an initial tally of votes after […]
Maine lawmakers nominate officers; Terry Hayes nominated by GOP
AUGUSTA — In an oddity of Maine government, one of the first acts for newly elected lawmakers Wednesday will be to elect the state’s constitutional officers, including the attorney general, the secretary of state and the treasurer. The incoming Senate Republican majority made it clear Tuesday that they wanted changes: they nominated candidates for the […]
Maine lawmakers head to Taiwan on trade mission
AUGUSTA — Just a day after being sworn into office, a trio of state lawmakers, two Democrats and one Republican, will head to Taiwan on a trade mission. State Sens. John Patrick, D-Rumford, and Brian Langley, R-Ellsworth, along with state Rep. Jeff McCabe, D-Skowhegan, will depart for the seven-day trip, paid for by the Taiwanese […]
State committee passes casino work to next Legislature
AUGUSTA — An issue that state lawmakers have wrestled with for more than 20 years will again be on the agenda in 2015. But all bets are off as to whether the Legislature will actually pass any bill that would expand gambling in Maine in 2015. On Monday, outgoing members of the Legislature’s Veterans and […]
Misuse, misunderstanding create troublesome gray area in service dog law
BELFAST — Judi Bayly’s service dog, Kira, goes everywhere her owner goes. She has to — the calm Irish setter is crucial to the well-being and freedom of Bayly, who has multiple sclerosis and diabetes. Kira has been on Caribbean cruises, shopping trips to WalMart, to lunches out at restaurants, to appointments at medical offices […]