AUGUSTA — Maine’s tough-on-welfare governor wants to end the department’s current drug-testing policy in favor of something even harsher: banning food stamps and cash assistance for anyone convicted of a drug felony in the past two decades. Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s office says he wants to bag the department’s current drug-testing policy for those convicted of […]
Paul LePage
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. Paul LePage refuses to sign bill to delay pot sales, ban possession by minors
AUGUSTA, Maine — A bill designed to correct problems in Maine’s new marijuana legalization law breezed through the House and Senate on Thursday but ended up at the center of a political showdown late in the day when Gov. Paul LePage refused to sign or veto it. After meeting with legislative leaders late Thursday afternoon, […]
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Gov. Paul LePage suggests audit of how Portland aids immigrants
PORTLAND — Maine’s Republican governor said Thursday that the state’s largest city should face an audit over his accusation that it has used state money to assist immigrants who are living there while seeking asylum. Gov. Paul LePage’s comments during a morning appearance on WGAN-AM marked the second time this week he’s used a radio interview […]
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Gov. Paul LePage may come to Lewiston to deal with immigration issues
Maine Gov. Paul LePage may meet with Lewiston’s mayor Friday to talk about immigration-related issues. During his weekly radio address Thursday morning with Portland station WGAN, LePage said he got a phone call from Lewiston Mayor Robert Macdonald letting him know “we have some real issues here.” LePage said he is “going to try to […]
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Gov. Paul LePage touts budget, takes on challengers in Biddeford
BIDDEFORD — Gov. Paul LePage restarted his public town hall series Wednesday night in Biddeford with one of the more ornery crowds he has faced on the tour. As the 90-minute event progressed, some members of the audience grew bolder about shouting questions and challenging LePage’s statements while others urged them to be more respectful. […]
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AG Janet Mills says a new psych unit needs legislative approval
PORTLAND — Gov. Paul LePage’s administration needs legislative approval to build a secure, privately run facility for patients in state custody with mental illness who no longer need hospital care, the state attorney general said. Democratic Attorney General Janet Mills sent a letter to the Republican governor’s administration Tuesday. The legislature’s appropriations committee discussed the letter […]
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Analysis: Gov. Paul LePage resumes town hall meetings
Republican Gov. Paul LePage is heading back into the public fray tonight when he resumes his series of town hall meetings in Biddeford. LePage held dozens of similar meetings last year all over Maine, using the opportunities to advocate for the three-legged policy stool he has fought for through much of his tenure: Lower taxes, […]
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Gov. Paul LePage rails against Portland and casino campaign
The Legislature may have suspended meetings and hearings Tuesday, but Gov. Paul LePage kept his regular Tuesday appearance on WVOM. Here is a roundup of the issues covered: LePage: Portland is breaking the law and should pay for helping ‘illegal immigrants’ Updated 10:43 a.m.: Gov. Paul LePage is arguing the state shouldn’t help “illegal immigrants” by […]
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Gov. Paul LePage to give State of the State speech to Legislature
AUGUSTA — Maine Republican Gov. Paul LePage is scheduled to deliver a State of the State address after a one-year hiatus from the longstanding tradition. Aides to Republican Senate President Michael Thibodeau and Democratic House Speaker Sara Gideon said legislative leaders worked with the governor’s office to schedule the address for Feb. 7. LePage’s office […]
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Analysis: Outrage continues to bounce off Gov. Paul LePage
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage catapulted himself into the national media spotlight again Tuesday with controversial comments widely viewed as racially insensitive. On Tuesday, one day after the nation celebrated civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. with a federal holiday, LePage on WVOM radio echoed criticisms that President-elect Donald Trump has leveled at U.S. […]