AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Gov. Paul LePage’s former communications director has started his own public relations and political consulting firm. Dan Demeritt was LePage’s communications director from January to April, when he resigned after his personal financial problems became public. He has now started a firm called Winning Initiatives. Demeritt tells the Portland Press Herald […]
Paul LePage
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage vetoes two more bills
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage has vetoed two more bills, one dealing with a wood smoke study and the other calling for department reporting. One of the bills vetoed Thursday calls for a study by state health officials into the effects of wood smoke. LePage questions spending state money for the report and the impact […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage to sign medical marijuana privacy law
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Gov. Paul LePage has signed into law a bill that’s aimed at protecting the privacy of medical marijuana patients. The governor signed Rep. Deb Sanderson’s bill in his office Friday morning. The Chelsea Republican’s bill changes Maine’s medical marijuana law to ensure access and clarify and enhance law enforcement protections for […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov LePage signs concealed weapons bills
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Gov. Paul LePage has signed into law three bills expanding the rights of concealed weapons permit holders in Maine. One of the bills, signed Tuesday, would bar businesses from prohibiting employees who have concealed firearms permits from keeping a firearm in their vehicle, as long as the vehicle is locked and […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Emails reveal emotions ran high after Gov. LePage ordered removal of labor mural
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Gov. Paul LePage’s decision to remove a mural depicting the history of the labor movement in Maine struck a raw nerve as critics lashed out in correspondence that poured in from all corners of the country, with several dozen writing letters vowing to cancel summer vacations. The raw outpouring of emotion, […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine governor signs $6.1 billion, 2-year budget
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Majority Republicans expressed delight and Democrats relief as Gov. Paul LePage on Monday signed into law a two-year, $6.1 billion state budget that calls for tax breaks for Mainers, pension rollbacks for state workers and tougher welfare rules. The budget, approved with bipartisan support of the Legislature last week, takes effect […]
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Maine cuts red tape, gives business a hand
Gov. Paul LePage and Republicans in the Maine Legislature delivered their signature piece of legislation last week, a collection of red-tape cutting measures designed to make Maine more “business friendly.” Yes, it was a compromise piece of work, supported in the end by Democrats as well. But there is no doubt that the impetus for […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Emails rebuke LePage’s labor mural removal
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Gov. Paul LePage’s decision to remove a mural depicting the history of the labor movement in Maine struck a raw nerve as critics lashed out in correspondence that poured in from all corners of the country, with several dozen writing letters vowing to cancel summer vacations. The raw outpouring of emotion, […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Veto of liquor law study bill upheld
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of a bill to transfer administration of Maine’s liquor laws will stand. The Maine House on Tuesday voted 67-75 to override the governor’s veto. The 67 votes fell far short of the two-thirds needed to override the veto and keep the bill alive. The bill sought a report examining […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Pesticide use bill signed into law
AUGUSTA — A day after signing a bill that streamlines state regulations, Maine Gov. Paul LePage has signed a bill into law eliminating redundant notifications related to pesticide applications. The measure repeals a 2009 law requiring pesticide applicators to provide advance notice of aerial pesticide applications to those who listed their property on a public […]