Maine Gov. Paul LePage has sent five bills to the Legislature that would dramatically overhaul a child protection system that has been under investigation for months following two high-profile deaths. The most wide-ranging bill has not yet been printed, but an overview provided by the Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday revealed that it seeks […]
Paul LePage
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Maine DHHS denying Medicaid expansion applicants as lawsuit continues
The LePage administration is rejecting applications for Medicaid from people who became newly eligible for the program under an expansion approved by voters last fall, according to documents and a progressive advocacy group that is suing the state. Maine has so far refused to expand the health insurance program, which primarily serves low-income residents, even […]
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Maine DHHS denies applications for expanded Medicaid
Denial letters have started to go out for Mainers applying for coverage under Medicaid expansion, according to documents and a progressive advocacy group that is suing the LePage administration. The Mainers are eligible for Medicaid under a new law that was approved last year by voters, but the state has so far refused to expand the health […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Company fights to keep details of psychiatric home a secret
AUGUSTA — A Florida-based healthcare company that could receive a $60.3 million state contract to run a 21-bed Maine residence for some psychiatric patients is fighting to keep its proposal secret. Gov. Paul LePage’s administration is moving forward without legislative approval or appropriated funding on plans to build a new, one-story residence on the Dorothea […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Weak government response to ticks threatens public health
Maine’s invasion came early this year. In recent hotbeds of tick activity – from Scarborough to Belfast and Brewer – people say they spotted the eight-legged arachnid before spring. They noticed the ticks – which look like moving poppyseeds – encroaching on roads, beaches, playgrounds, cemeteries and library floors. They saw them clinging to dogs, […]
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Paul LePage calls for candidates Janet Mills and Terry Hayes to leave their state offices
Gov. Paul LePage is calling on Attorney General Janet Mills and Treasurer Terry Hayes to resign or take leaves of absence from their respective positions in state government while they run for governor. In separate letters sent Monday, LePage told Mills and Hayes that they should step down and stop taking taxpayer-funded paychecks “to avoid […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Paul LePage accuses Massachusetts of E-ZPass shakedown
Gov. Paul LePage is threatening to use the “full extent of the law” against Massachusetts officials for their efforts to collect unpaid tolls from Maine drivers. In a letter to Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, also a Republican, LePage accuses Bay State officials of using “shakedown” tactics and threatening Maine drivers with license suspensions for unpaid […]
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Judge orders Paul LePage to release clean elections cash
A Maine Superior Court judge has ordered Republican Gov. Paul LePage to release about $1.4 million in campaign funds for candidates running under the state’s clean elections law. The order Thursday by Justice William Stokes would provide public funding for the campaigns of about 174 candidates for the Legislature and one candidate running in the […]
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LePage slams employees union for taking credit for his child protection reforms
Gov. Paul LePage slammed the state employees’ union in his weekly radio address Wednesday, accusing it of trying to take credit for reforms his administration is proposing in the child protection system after the deaths of two children. LePage’s attack on the Maine State Employees Association came just two days after he said he was […]
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Paul LePage to lead trade mission to UK and Ireland
AUGUSTA — Maine’s North Atlantic Development Office is putting together a trade mission headed by Gov. Paul LePage for companies interested in increasing business with the United Kingdom and Ireland. The nine-day trade mission in September will feature “business meetings, group events, and unique cultural opportunities designed to help Maine companies expand their business development […]