AUGUSTA — Democratic lawmakers and Gov. Paul LePage traded barbs Thursday about who’s to blame for the hold-up of voter-approved bonds. LePage has refused to issue the bonds until the Legislature replenishes the state’s budget stabilization fund, which lawmakers from both parties agreed to use $21 million from last month as part of a measure […]
Paul LePage
Posted inOur View
Our View: LePage resorts to failed tactics of war on drugs
After 40 years and countless billions spent, 82 percent of Americans feel the long-running war on drugs has failed. Somehow, with just a little more money and the same tactics, Gov. Paul LePage thinks he can turn things around. Tuesday, the governor proposed doubling down on that failed war, which is largely a law-enforcement approach […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage vetoes bill to restrict fireworks
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine Gov. Paul LePage has vetoed a bill that would’ve placed some limits on fireworks use. LePage said the bill that would’ve restricted the use of fireworks before noon and clarified that their irresponsible use could represent disorderly conduct represented “heavy-handed regulations.” He also said the bill “seeks to roll back […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage proposes referendum that asks if voters want to lower taxes
AUGUSTA — Maine Gov. Paul LePage wants to ask voters whether the state should lower taxes and reduce government spending. The Republican governor introduced a bill on Tuesday for the state to hold a referendum in June asking voters if they favor lowering income tax rates, implementing alternative taxes and reducing overall tax revenues and […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage touts business incentive ‘zones’ plan
BRUNSWICK — Gov. Paul LePage on Monday made his latest pitch to shrink the power of labor unions in Maine when he offered details about the “Open for Business zones” proposal he introduced last month in his State of the State address. LePage laid out his vision for the Open for Business zones during a […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislature to consider Katz-Saviello proposal to expand Medicaid
AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine’s Democrat-controlled Legislature is poised to vote on a Republican-backed measure to expand Medicaid under the federal health care law. Initial votes on the measure are expected in the Senate as early as Tuesday. Under the bill crafted by Assistant Republican Leader Roger Katz and Sen. Tom Saviello, Maine would also implement […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage to address Maine Manufacturing Summit
NEW GLOUCESTER (AP) — Republican Gov. Paul LePage will address Maine’s manufacturing industry leaders this week. LePage will speak at the Maine Manufacturers Association’s Manufacturing Summit Wednesday at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester. The governor will also participate in discussions on the top challenges facing the industry. LePage said that 1,8000 manufacturing companies provide more […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Lawmakers to debate Maine’s wind energy goals in hearing
AUGUSTA — Maine lawmakers are examining a bill that would remove the state’s megawatt wind energy targets and replace them with goals to expand economic opportunities and lower electricity costs through wind power. The Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee will hold a public hearing Wednesday on the bill introduced by Republican Rep. Lance Harvell of […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage blasts Democrats, plans to replace $21 million in rainy-day fund
Democratic leaders react to Gov. Paul LePage’s announcement AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage announced Tuesday that he has a plan to reverse what he called an “irresponsible and incompetent” $21 million raid of the state’s rainy day fund by the Legislature, which he said would make him willing to release more than $100 million in voter-approved […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
LePage bill would remove wind energy goals
AUGUSTA — More than five years ago, Maine set ambitious goals to spur wind power development aimed at helping wean the state off fossil fuels. But now Republican Gov. Paul LePage says the targets don’t really help the state and are so far out of reach as to be meaningless, so why have them? A […]