PORTLAND — Trailing in fundraising, Maine Gov. Paul LePage hopes a visit by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie this week will raise campaign cash — and rally his conservative base. LePage’s campaign says fundraising has been hampered by rules preventing contributions from lobbyists or business or individuals that employ lobbyists. But those restrictions are no […]
Paul LePage
Posted inOp-Eds
Perspective: Vetoes not a true form of leadership
As the Legislature labored on into the night Thursday, more than a few lawmakers must have wondered whether this was really “veto day,” usually a quick tidying up of loose ends, or another end-of-session marathon where debate continues as the sun comes up. It didn’t last quite that long, but lawmakers had never been asked […]
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Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Future unclear after lawmakers nix mining rules
AUGUSTA — The Democratic-controlled Legislature’s rejection of new regulations for metallic mineral mining in Maine is drawing praise from environmental groups that say the proposed rules were flawed, but what’s next in the contentious debate over potential mining operations in the state remains unclear. A 2012 law signed by Republican Gov. Paul LePage laid the […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislators override business bond veto
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Lawmakers are back in Augusta to consider dozens of bills vetoed by Republican Gov. Paul LePage since they wrapped up their work for the session last month. The Democratic-led Legislature will take up 48 vetoed bills on Thursday. Bills require two-thirds support of present-and-voting lawmakers to override LePage’s veto. LePage has […]
Posted inMaine
Legislature overrides LePage veto of jail bill
Veto Coverage: List of vetoes considered and who in our coverage area voted to sustain or override. LEWISTON — More money and new structure will give a boost to Maine’s jail system following the Legislature’s vote Thursday to override Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of the plan. In its second time through the Legislature, the bill […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Democrats say latest LePage vetoes put lakes, jobs at serious risk
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage vetoed two more bills Wednesday that would protect Maine lakes from pollution and strengthen a revolving loan program for small business. The two new vetoes brings the total that face the Legislature on Thursday to 48. LePage said in his veto letter for LD 1744, An Act to Protect Maine […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Sheriffs hope lawmakers override LePage veto of jail bill
AUBURN — A bill to strengthen Maine’s six-year-old network of county jails was scheduled to return to lawmakers Thursday, two days after Gov. Paul LePage vetoed the measure and described its state-county partnership as “doomed to failure.” “The bill masquerades as a fix to the Board of Corrections system, but it is nothing more than […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislature prepares to take up LePage vetoes Thursday
How the Legislature is voting on vetoes. AUGUSTA — Dozens of bills spiked by Gov. Paul LePage will get another shot this week when lawmakers return to Augusta on the heels of a session filled with partisan wrangling that will continue into the November elections. On Thursday, the Democratic-controlled Legislature will consider at least 46 […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage vetoes raise questions about role of government
Our View: Veto overrides best for public health, access AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage’s use of the veto pen will make for a busy day for lawmakers on Thursday, reigniting a debate about whether the governor’s endgame judgment of bills is obstructionism or leadership. LePage has racked up a record-breaking 163 vetoes during his first […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage allows drug overdose antidote bill to become law
AUGUSTA — Maine will expand access to a potentially life-saving drug antidote, after the bill went into law Tuesday without Gov. Paul LePage’s signature. The new law allows family members of addicts to be prescribed naloxone, which blocks the brain receptors that opiates latch onto and helps the body take in air. The law also lets […]