Gov. Paul LePage plans to veto the recreational marijuana bill once it reaches his desk because it would not combine Maine’s medical and adult-use marijuana programs. The two-term Republican has problems with having two regulatory systems and tax structures for different uses of the same plant, according to his press secretary, Julie Rabinowitz. If the […]
Paul LePage
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Bill Gates, Paul LePage among those supporting elements of proficiency-based education
Who supports proficiency-based learning? The list includes Microsoft founder and billionaire Bill Gates, Maine Gov. Paul LePage and at least 16 states, four in New England. MAINE’S PUSH FROM THE TOP LePage has long been a supporter, and that has continued as the Legislature currently deals with proposals to change the state’s existing PBL law. […]
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LePage blasts Skowhegan Savings Bank over firing of Waterville Mayor Isgro
Gov. Paul LePage is expressing support for embattled Waterville Mayor Nick Isgro, saying in a letter sent to the president of Skowhegan Savings Bank that it was a mistake to dismiss him over a controversial tweet in which he criticized a school shooting survivor. “Your decision to discharge Nick Isgro is a mistake you will […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Paul LePage moving ahead on Bangor mental health home without approval
AUGUSTA (AP) — Gov. Paul LePage is moving forward without legislative approval on plans to build a secure, privately run residence in Bangor for some psychiatric patients who need services before re-entering the community. But details about how Maine would pay for or oversee the 21-bed rehabilitation residence remain secret more than a year after […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Cut governor's pay, says one candidate for Maine's top job
Instead of pressing ahead with a plan to more than double the governor’s salary, one of the Democrats seeking to win the state’s top job said lawmakers ought to slash it. Former Portland state Rep. Diane Russell said that “raising the wage of the governor is probably the worst idea I’ve seen.” She said that […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
At Auburn gubernatorial forum, Democrats focus ire at LePage
Maine Attorney General Janet Mills participates Tuesday night in the Democratic gubernatorial forum at Central Maine Community College in Auburn. Seated next to Mills, from left: former state Rep. Diane Russell, Sanford lawyer Adam Cote and Democratic lobbyist Betsy Sweet. (Andree Kehn/Sun Journal) Democratic lobbyist Betsy Sweet answers a questions about opioid policy Tuesday night at the Democratic gubernatorial […]
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Lawyers spar over case accusing Paul LePage of blackmail
BOSTON — The lawyer for former Maine House Speaker Mark Eves told a panel of federal judges Tuesday that his lawsuit alleging that Gov. Paul LePage violated his constitutional rights should go forward because of the governor’s threats to Eves’ employer. Eves was fired in 2016 as president of the Goodwill-Hinckley School after LePage threatened to […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislative committee backs pay raise for next Maine governor
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage moved one step closer to a long-sought victory Monday when a legislative committee overwhelmingly endorsed more than doubling the pay of the next governor from $70,000 a year to $150,000. The State and Local Government Committee voted 11-1 in favor of increasing the salary, which is now the lowest of […]
Posted inMaine
Paul LePage wants more federal funds on job training not career counseling
AUGUSTA (AP) — Gov. Paul LePage wants more federal funds used to help unemployed Mainers shifted to job training, a move some local labor officials say would take money from career counseling, hurting vulnerable job seekers. LePage’s administration last week submitted his plan that demands that locally run workforce boards spend 70 percent of federal […]
Posted inLetters, sj-web
Governor looking to kill wind power
Maine lawmakers should reject the LePage administration’s proposal to gut the expedited permitting process for Maine’s green energy wind power projects. Gov. Paul LePage claims the wind power projects could harm the state’s tourism industry. If any changes are made to the existing green energy 2008 law that would eliminate the streamlined review process, the […]