AUGUSTA — The governor’s office says it’s facing a mountain of public records requests, but one law firm isn’t waiting for its documents so patiently. Andrew Schmidt Law filed a lawsuit against the state, saying it’s been waiting for six months to get information behind Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s decision to withdraw from the refugee […]
Paul LePage
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Gov. Paul LePage says lawmakers reneged on deal to close prison
Gov. Paul LePage claimed Tuesday that members of the Legislature are reneging on a deal regarding the closure of the Downeast Correctional Facility in Machiasport, but didn’t provide many details. Noting that state government sends more aid to Washington County than it receives in revenue from Down East, LePage said during a radio interview Tuesday […]
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Gov. Paul LePage releases 17 prisoners with commutation plan
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage said Friday that he has granted conditional commutation orders for prisoners through a plan that he says won’t threaten public safety and will help offenders get jobs. The ACLU of Maine and state prisoner advocates have applauded the Republican governor’s idea to release lower-risk inmates, while some fellow Republicans have […]
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Paul LePage tweaks budget proposal to boost legal fund, stop anti-bias program
AUGUSTA — Maine Republican Gov. Paul LePage is tweaking his $6.8 billion budget proposal to add funds for private lawyers and cut a civil rights program, among other things. He’s proposing to eliminate the attorney general’s program aiming to reduce bias in schools, saving $550,000 over two years. His administration says the program should be […]
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LePage’s plan to dissolve turnpike authority hits roadblock
AUGUSTA — Without dissent, a key committee urged the Legislature on Thursday to turn thumbs down on Gov. Paul LePage’s bid to fold the Maine Turnpike Authority into the Department of Transportation. With little time and not much evidence that the move would help, the Transportation Committee had no trouble recommending leaving the quasi-independent state […]
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Gov. Paul LePage addresses Auburn-Lewiston Rotary Club breakfast
LEWISTON — Gov. Paul LePage attended the Auburn-Lewiston Rotary Club’s breakfast as their guest speaker Wednesday. The governor talked about ranked-choice voting, something he’s been vocally opposing since it was voted into law in November Maine’s Supreme Court released an “advisory opinion” Tuesday, stating the new law is a violation of the state’s Constitution which […]
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Next up for ‘nips’ bill: a near-certain veto
AUGUSTA — A measure to require a 5-cent deposit on tiny liquor bottles known as nips is heading for a near certain veto from Gov. Paul LePage — and possibly a move by him to ban nips entirely, which could hurt a major bottler based in Lewiston. With the Senate’s unanimous agreement Tuesday , the […]
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Gov. Paul LePage rips newspapers in veto of bill that would harm newspapers
AUGUSTA, Maine — A heavier flow of bills moving to the floors of the legislative chambers means more vetoes from the all-time champion in that statistic: Gov. Paul LePage. The House of Representatives will vote on whether to override another five vetoes today, including one of a bill that would actually hurt Maine newspapers, which sit […]
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Paul LePage refuses to put up National Monument road signs
Gov. Paul LePage is refusing to put signs along state roads showing the way to Maine’s national monument, pending the outcome of a federal review, state officials said Friday. The governor won’t allow official signs for Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument to be placed along Interstate 95 and Routes 11, 157 and 159 — […]
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Maine to close Downeast Correctional Facility next month
A red pickup truck pulls away from the Downeast Correctional Facility in Machiasport in February. The Department of Corrections says it plans to lay off all guards, relocate prisoners, and close the facility by June 10. MACHIASPORT — Layoff notices will be issued to all 46 employees at Downeast Correctional Facility in Machias, which will […]