AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Gov. Paul LePage, who’s been taken to task by some lawmakers for submitting major bills late in the session, says he’s not planning to submit any bills past Monday. Democrats last week sharply criticized the Republican governor for taking a vacation in the midst of a busy windup to the legislative […]
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Federal judge says LePage’s decision to remove mural was government speech
BANGOR, Maine — A federal judge on Friday ruled in favor of Gov. Paul LePage in a lawsuit concerning the governor’s controversial removal of a Department of Labor mural, saying LePage’s action amounted to “government speech.” In a 90-page opinion, U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock Jr. granted motions for summary judgment in favor of […]
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Maine Public Radio decries proposed funding cut
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine Public Broadcasting Network says a $1.7 million funding cut proposed in Gov. Paul LePage’s budget would devastate the service. MPBN executives and supporters spoke Wednesday at a legislative hearing against the cut, which is among others in LePage’s supplemental budget. Maine Today Media says the state provides 17.4 percent […]
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Democrats accuse LePage administration of ‘breach of trust’ on DHHS errors
AUGUSTA, Maine — State Sen. Elizabeth Schneider on Wednesday accused the LePage administration of covering up financial problems at the Department of Health and Human Services and committing a “breach of trust” with lawmakers for not alerting them sooner. Schneider’s words came during debate on the Senate floor over LD 1870, a minor supplemental budget […]
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Testimony divided on LePage education bills
AUGUSTA — Lawmakers on Thursday heard emotional testimony from parents, students and teachers supporting and opposing two of Gov. Paul LePage’s more contentious education proposals. The bills are two of four initiatives that the administration contends will enhance student opportunity. However, both are rife with controversy. One, some argued Thursday, is unconstitutional. The latter is a […]
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Maine lawmakers to consider changing from presidential caucus to primary system
AUGUSTA — Problems with last month’s Republican presidential caucuses have prompted lawmakers to consider reimplementing a primary system in Maine. Senate President Kevin Raye, R-Perry, has submitted a late bill that would return the state’s party selection process to a primary system. The bill has bipartisan support and Gov. Paul LePage’s backing. The governor last […]
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LePage unveils plan to restructure DHHS
LePage’s proposed bill would consolidate four DHHS offices into two and reorganize another. It eliminates 91 positions across various levels and creates 44 jobs for a net loss of 47 positions. Several of the jobs under the ax are vacant. DHHS employees were notified of the planned cuts earlier Wednesday. In the works for several […]
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Plan seeks more Maine social services integration
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Mainers requiring social services would get them in a more coordinated and seamless fashion, with more emphasis on their long-term and overall needs, if a plan unveiled Wednesday to restructure the state’s social-services agency wins legislative approval. The bill to be submitted by Gov. Paul LePage is also aimed at eliminating […]
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New LePage budget goes beyond typical fix
AUGUSTA — Supplemental budgets are often corrections to the state’s biennial spending plan and are used to plug a revenue shortfall. Gov. Paul LePage’s $37 million supplemental budget released this week does that and much more. In addition to plugging a recently identified $13 million revenue gap in the governor’s spending plan, it contains a […]
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Cuts to MPBN, state planning office and tax breaks in state budget
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Tax breaks for retirees and military personnel are among the items on Gov. Paul LePage’s state budget rewrite, presented Tuesday to lawmakers. The supplemental budget outlined for the Appropriations Committee also seeks sales tax exemptions for wood harvesting equipment, which would match exemptions the state already allows for equipment used in […]