AUGUSTA (AP) — A sitting justice on the Maine supreme court and two new judges on the District Court have been sworn into office. Gov. Paul LePage administered the oath Friday to supreme court Justice Warren Silver, as well as District Court judges Dan Billings and John Lucy. Billings was LePage’s former chief legal counsel. […]
Paul LePage
Posted inMaine
LePage, Democratic leader plan to fix state ethics issues
AUGUSTA — Two of the state’s top political leaders are vowing a bipartisan effort to make government ethics, accountability and transparency key issues in the upcoming legislative session. Republican Gov. Paul LePage and House Democratic leader Emily Cain are responding to a national report that gave Maine government an “F” for ethics because of its […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage takes anti-violence message to high school
AUGUSTA (AP) — Gov. Paul LePage is taking his anti-domestic violence message to a central Maine high school. LePage was scheduled to travele to Erskine Academy in South China on Wednesday as part of his effort to raise awareness about the issue and help to bring an end to domestic violence and bullying. The governor […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine trade opportunities seen after China trip
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Members of Gov. Paul LePage’s trade mission to China say they see opportunities in several areas, including seafood exports, education and tourism. But the big take-away from last week’s visit by the 13-member Maine delegation to Hong Kong and Shanghai, China, was the importance of building relationships with their hosts. At […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Court throws out LePage lawsuit seeking expedited approval for Medicaid cuts
AUGUSTA — A federal court has thrown out the LePage administration’s lawsuit that sought to force federal health officials to expedite the approval of Maine’s request to make about $20 million in cuts to its Medicaid program. In a one-page decision filed Thursday, a three-judge panel from the First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage wants low-cost Canadian drug program back
AUGUSTA — At least two state senators and Gov. Paul LePage are interested in a legislative fix that would allow 1,200 Maine households to continue purchasing lower-cost prescription drugs through a Canadian firm that distributes medications by mail. Sen. Doug Thomas, R-Ripley, said Tuesday he has been working on legislation that would allow the Canadian […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage administers oath to commissioner, judges
AUGUSTA (AP) — Following Senate confirmations, Maine Gov. Paul LePage is wasting no time in swearing in eight judicial reappointments and the state’s new labor commissioner, Jeanne Paquette. The ceremony Friday was held in the cabinet room of the State House. Taking the oath in addition to Paquette were Supreme Court justice Donald Alexander; Superior […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Disagreement heats up over definition of ‘veteran’
AUGUSTA — An ongoing feud over whether a Vietnam War-era National Guard member is qualified to serve on a state board has raised the question of who is a veteran. Earlier this week, Rep. Paul Gilbert, D-Jay, questioned whether National Guard service during the early 1970s makes someone a military veteran. Gov. Paul LePage, Republican […]
Posted inMaine, Nation / World, sj-web
Feds want more time on Maine Medicaid cut request
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The federal government on Friday responded to the governor’s request to allow cuts in Medicaid programs, but rather than provide concrete answers it asked for more time to study the matter. “I want to assure you that we will review your plan amendment carefully and render a decision promptly, as soon […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage appoints departing Commissioner Beardsley to state education board
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage has appointed a member of his Cabinet, Conservation Commissioner Bill Beardsley, to an open seat on the State Board of Education. Beardsley’s job as conservation commissioner phases out Thursday, when a merger of the state departments of Agriculture and Conservation takes effect. His confirmation hearing for the state board position […]