Our governor has a short fuse, and his anger toward Barack Obama was on display Monday in Washington when he pledged to do whatever he can to kill ObamaCare in Maine. But Gov. Paul LePage’s political differences with the president should not prevent 65,000 Mainers from receiving basic health care coverage at no additional cost […]
Maine
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In narrow vote, Maine committee endorses gun show background checks
AUGUSTA — On a 7-6 vote Thursday, lawmakers on the Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee rejected a bill that would have made it legal to carry a concealed handgun without a permit in Maine. The bill, LD 660, would overturn Maine’s requirement that only trained and vetted individuals who pay a permit fee can […]
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Bipartisan ‘gang’ set to unveil tax reform in Augusta
AUGUSTA — A bipartisan group of legislators plan to unveil a tax-reform package Wednesday they hope will stabilize revenues for the state while providing relief to income and property taxpayers. The so-called “Gang of 11” has worked quietly behind the scenes for months on the proposal, said Rep. Gary Knight, R-Livermore Falls, a member of […]
Posted inMaine
Sides diverge on plan to pay Maine’s hospital debt
AUGUSTA — Legislative party leaders exchanged partisan jabs again Tuesday, extending the debate over how and when the state should pay off its more than $480 million debt owed to 39 hospitals across Maine. Adding a new wrinkle in the debate was new information from the federal Department of Health and Human Services that suggests […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
N.H. man who aided girl, 12, says Maine dog attack ‘terrifying’
LEBANON (AP) — The New Hampshire man credited with saving the life of a 12-year-old Maine girl being mauled by her family’s pit bulls says the two dogs were trying to “tear the girl apart.” Adam Horr of Dover, N.H. was visiting friends in Lebanon on Saturday when he heard screams. He knew immediately it […]
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Maine lawmakers poised to unveil tax overhaul
AUGUSTA (AP) — A bipartisan group of Maine lawmakers is proposing a dramatic overhaul of the state’s tax system that includes cutting the state’s income tax rate in half. The proposal also includes raising sales and excise taxes and eliminating exemptions. The coalition has been working for several months to craft the bill. The proposal […]
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Man arrested following standoff in Portland
PORTLAND (AP) — Portland police have arrested a man following a 4 ½ hour standoff. Kyle Upton was taken into custody Monday night after a standoff at an apartment building on Alder Street. Police say the 28-year-old was in possession of a firearm and refused to come out of the building. He was wanted in […]
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Lawmakers look at changes for concealed handgun permits in Maine
AUGUSTA — Just days after Gov. Paul LePage signed a bill into law making the information on concealed handgun carry permits confidential — a Legislative committee wrestled over whether the age to carry concealed should be increased from 18 to 21. In a work session Monday, lawmakers on the Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety […]
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Maine Forest Service warns of high fire danger
GRAY (AP) — The Maine Forest Service is warning of high fire danger conditions across the entire state. Officials said a lack of rainfall has made for dry conditions, with several wildfires being reported in recent days. Over the weekend, firefighters and the Maine Forest Service were called to a fire in Livermore Falls where […]
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Charter schools deserve time to prove worth
We expected a sharp left turn when Democrats regained control of the Maine Legislature last year. But the surge in largely Democratic legislation designed to cripple the state’s nascent charter schools is unseemly and inappropriate. One of Gov. Paul LePage’s priorities was passing a charter school law to give students here alternatives to traditional public […]