AUGUSTA — As lawmakers scramble to finish up this week, not everyone is impressed with what they’ve done. Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, pointed out the other day that the 186 members of the Legislature collectively churn out enough warmth from their own bodies to power about 38 homes. That, he said, “may very well be […]
Paul LePage
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Paul LePage rejoins Maine budget fight as shutdown fears grow
AUGUSTA — Five months and 10 days after he floated a two-year budget proposal largely ignored by the Legislature, Gov. Paul LePage has muscled his way back into their stalled and dysfunctional budget process with the state as close as it’s been to a shutdown during his tenure. Senate President Mike Thibodeau, R-Winterport, said Friday morning […]
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Gov. Paul LePage vetoes measure to keep minors out of tanning salons
AUGUSTA — Declaring the Maine economy “has been dependent on men and women working long hours in the sun” for generations, Gov. Paul LePage vetoed a measure that would have barred anyone younger than 18 from using a tanning salon. LePage said the proposal approved by the Legislature is both “unnecessary and an overreach of […]
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Jared Golden’s bill to help returning veterans signed into law
AUGUSTA — A measure to help veterans use their military training to snag civilian jobs that require licenses sailed through the Legislature and was signed into law recently by Gov. Paul LePage. Rep. Jared Golden, D-Lewiston, proposed allowing the director of the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation “to modify licensing requirements of professional licensing […]
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State liquor panel eyes ban on ‘nips’ that could hurt Lewiston bottler
AUGUSTA — When Gov. Paul LePage makes a threat, he doesn’t often back down. So it didn’t surprise anyone that he asked the Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations Tuesday to begin the process of banning the sale of miniature bottles of liquor known as “nips.” LePage vowed to seek the ban if the […]
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Gov. Paul LePage vetoes ‘politically motivated power grab’
AUGUSTA — Frustrated that some executive branch officials have ignored requests by lawmakers to offer testimony and advice, the Legislature recently passed a measure that would compel commissioners to show up when called. Calling it “a politically motivated power grab,” Gov. Paul LePage vetoed the proposal Monday. “Too often, legislators use public hearings for the […]
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‘Ashamed’ to be part of government, LePage vows to veto budget over $7B
AUGUSTA (AP) — Republican Gov. Paul LePage says he’ll veto any budget over $7 billion as lawmakers remain at odds over spending. LePage said on a radio show on Tuesday that he’s “ashamed” to be part of Maine government because of lawmakers’ laziness. Legislative leaders, meanwhile, are considering employing a rarely used tactic of appointing […]
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Senate overrides LePage veto of school truancy measure
AUGUSTA — The Senate unanimously opted Tuesday to override Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of a measure that would let educators extend truancy enforcement rules to 5- and 6-year-old students enrolled in public school. LePage said a better answer to truancy should be to make schools so inspiring and exciting that students want to show up […]
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Maine House upholds veto of bill to release $15M senior housing bonds
AUGUSTA (AP) — The Maine House has failed to override the governor’s veto of a bill aimed at forcing him to release $15 million in bonds for senior citizen housing that voters approved two years ago. The Maine House vote on Thursday was 89-58, short of the two-thirds necessary to overturn the veto. That followed […]
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Feds want Maine to pay back $51 million in Riverview funds
AUGUSTA — A federal health care watchdog has again found fault with Maine’s treatment of people with acute mental illness at the Riverview Psychiatric Center, ordering that the state repay $51 million in federal aid. Gov. Paul LePage announced Thursday that the state will appeal the decision, calling it a “financial tsunami.” At issue is […]