AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine Republican Gov.-elect Paul LePage won’t be sworn into office until Wednesday, but he’s already living in the governor’s mansion. An adviser says LePage and his family took up residence Sunday. Gov. John Baldacci already had moved out, and it’s not uncommon for candidates to move in before the inauguration. The […]
Paul LePage
Posted inOur View
Trio of stories shows 2011 is off to a bright start
Three recent stories suggest 2011 is off to a great, optimistic start. The first involves Richard Gregoire, who is dedicated to brightening his corner of the world in Lewiston, and we mean “corner” literally. Gregoire programs the eight-foot electric sign on the kiosk outside The Medicine Shoppe pharmacy. The board was originally intended to advertise […]
advertisement
Posted inMaine, The Franklin Journal
Political Pulse: Using anonymity to shape debate
Nuggets from the notebook while wondering how many political operatives will register their real names for the Sun Journal’s new online commenting policy … Ever read the comments at the bottom of a political story and had the feeling that some of the posts weren’t personal opinions but rather the words of someone with a […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Our picks for the top ten news stories of the year
1. The race for governor in Maine was so close, candidate Paul LePage had to wait until the morning after Election Day to find out he had won. The Waterville native defeated independent Eliot Cutler and three other candidates to become the first Republican to be elected Maine governor since John McKernan in 1990. LePage, […]
Posted inMaine
LePage inauguration to match the man, economy
AUGUSTA — Aides for Gov.-elect Paul LePage say the Jan. 5 inauguration ceremony will mirror the incoming governor’s down-to-business personality and the times of austerity he’s inheriting. LePage will not give a long speech, or use a teleprompter. And there will be no lavish ball, just a short reception with a cash bar. There will, […]
Posted inMaine
Passenger rail advocates hope GOP keeps subsidies coming
Nationally, the debate over subsidizing passenger rail has largely been a partisan issue; Democrats have supported it, Republicans haven’t. For the most part, that division hasn’t been evident in Maine. With a new Republican governor and GOP-controlled state Legislature, supporters of the Amtrak Downeaster and passenger rail advocates are hoping for the status quo. However, […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage will be Maine Governor No. 74, maybe
AUGUSTA — Here we go again. The upcoming inauguration of Gov.-elect Paul LePage is stirring a bit of confusion around the State House over what number the Republican gets in the succession of Maine chief executives. Is he governor No. 70? No. 74? Something in between? LePage’s team is politely walking away from the debate […]
Posted inMaine, Oxford Hills
Millett to head state financial post
AUGUSTA — When it comes to constructing the state’s next biennial budget, Waterford’s Sawin Millett will be one of Gov.-elect Paul LePage’s go-to guys. Millett, 73, a former state legislator, was named the commissioner of the Department of Administration and Financial Services during a press conference held at the State House Hall of Flags on […]
Posted inOur View
Business people exasperated by red-tape burden
Bravo to incoming Gov. Paul LePage for the red-tape listening sessions his staff and legislators are conducting around the state. The testimony so far has been informative and eye-opening. LePage promised during the campaign that he would slash unnecessary and redundant government red tape and regulation. The listening sessions are the first step in that […]
Posted inMaine
Health care panel hopeful LePage will consider recommendations
AUGUSTA — The panel creating recommendations for the state implementation of the federal health care law on Tuesday put the finishing touches on its report to Gov.-elect Paul LePage and the recently sworn-in Legislature. However, with LePage vowing to join the lawsuit challenging a key portion of the law, it’s unclear to what extent the […]