AUGUSTA — Maine Gov. Paul LePage hopes to turn the state’s ethics panel into a truth squad that checks the veracity of claims made by politicians, but the bill’s prospects of becoming law appeared dim Wednesday as opponents warned it could violate the First Amendment’s protection of free speech. The plan directs the Maine Commission on […]
Paul LePage
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage signs bill adding $21 million to rainy day fund
AUGUSTA — Maine Gov. Paul LePage has signed a bill to replenish the state’s rainy day fund and is allowing infrastructure projects that were put on hold to move forward. The Republican governor’s bill puts $21 million back into the fund, which was tapped to pay for revenue sharing. LePage said drawing from the fund […]
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LePage names Fitzpatrick as acting head of Corrections
AUGUSTA — Maine Gov. Paul LePage has appointed an associate commissioner in the Department of Corrections to serve as the agency’s acting commissioner. LePage said Monday that Dr. Joseph Fitzpatrick will fill the post left vacant by the departure of Commissioner Joseph Ponte, who accepted a job as commissioner of New York City’s jail system […]
Posted inMaine
LePage bills target use of welfare money
AUGUSTA — As promised earlier this year, Gov. Paul LePage filed four bills Friday aimed at tightening restrictions on the use of electronic benefit cards used by welfare recipients. Democrats said certain elements of the governor’s proposals raise red flags; they urged him to instead focus his administration’s efforts on enforcement of current welfare fraud crimes. […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislature passes rainy day plan, budget fix
AUGUSTA — The Legislature has soundly approved an emergency bill spearheaded by Gov. Paul LePage to restore $21 million to the state’s rainy day fund and another emergency measure to fill a $40 million hole in this year’s budget. The bills both passed with zero debate, but the ease with which they cruised through the […]
Posted inOur View
Our View: LePage keeps ignoring issues at DHHS
Gov. Paul LePage needs to walk over to Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services and handle some personnel problems, and soon. While the governor was announcing a controversial new program Wednesday to allow more commercial tree cutting on public lands, Rep. Drew Gattine, D-Westbrook, was talking about a mysterious $1 million payment buried deep […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
LePage says solar energy is adding to Maine’s electricity costs
HALLOWELL — Maine Gov. Paul LePage says environmental groups’ push to pick energy “winners and losers” is getting in the way of the state’s ability to lower electricity costs. The Republican governor’s remarks came Thursday at the Energy and Technology Council of Maine’s forum on regional energy infrastructure issues. LePage continued to criticize the Legislature […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage wants to get rid of term limits for legislators
AUGUSTA — Maine Gov. Paul LePage says the state must take “term limits and throw them out of the window.” LePage said Thursday that term limits means the Legislature is full of young people with “firm agendas” who pass bills that “are hurting us for the long haul.” The Republican governor made his remarks at […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage says ethics panel should become election campaign lie detector
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage has proposed a bill that would require the Maine Ethics Commission to expand its responsibilities to include fact-checking statements made during political campaigns. LD 1834, An Act to Require the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices to Make Public Declarations following a Determination of a Campaign Statement’s Falsity, would […]
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Maine unveils 5-year plan to promote tourism
Part of that strategy involves leveraging the help of actor and Maine native Patrick Dempsey, also known as “McDreamy” from television’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” as well as families reflecting Maine lifestyles and values. The Maine Office of Tourism rolled out its five-year plan — a blueprint and roadmap for the state’s tourism strategy — Wednesday during the […]