Gov. Paul LePage is still eyeing ways to accomplish his long-stated goal of eliminating Maine’s income tax. Rather than try to sway a wary Legislature, the governor is looking at a referendum question that would let voters decide whether to do away with “this unruly income tax.” LePage told Portland radio station WGAN Thursday that […]
Paul LePage
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. Paul LePage promises to play nice with Legislature
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage is promising to play nice as legislators head to Augusta for a new session. LePage told WVOM-FM this week that he won’t be picking fights with legislators this year. The governor said that he’s not going to call legislators names and that he’s not going to pick on any individual. […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. Paul LePage signs order to encourage regional schools
AUGUSTA — Looking to incentivize school consolidation in Maine, Gov. Paul LePage issued a sweeping executive order on Monday calling for new regional school models. The Republican governor signed the executive order on Monday, but it was posted to his state website on Tuesday and it directs the Maine Department of Education to take three main steps: […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Marijuana to be legal in Maine on Jan. 30
PORTLAND — Maine’s governor says he has signed off on the results of a referendum that legalized marijuana in the state, but he is also calling for a moratorium on sales of the drug. Voters in Maine narrowly approved of legalized marijuana in November. Gov. Paul LePage said on Tuesday during an appearance on WVOM-FM […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
This book was LePage’s Christmas gift to Maine lawmakers
AUGUSTA — Lawmakers got a Christmas present from Gov. Paul LePage: A pamphlet called “Understanding and Appreciating the Value of Money.” LePage spokesman Peter Steele said the governor discovered the book when it was sent to him by its author, who wrote it originally for his granddaughter. Steele said LePage “thought it would be good […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage says forensic psychiatric unit won’t be near Riverview
Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s administration has zeroed in on a site to build a new facility for forensic psychiatric patients held in state custody. The governor said during a Thursday morning radio interview that he expects to identify the site early next week. Though he did not disclose the location, LePage appears to be following […]
Posted inMaine
Legislature may restrict marijuana edibles when it takes up referendum
AUGUSTA — Among the first items of business when legislators return next month will be a couple of quick fixes to the recreational marijuana measure approved by voters in November. House Speaker Sara Gideon said Wednesday that two changes are “front and center” to correct problems some have identified with the legalization referendum. She told […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Fact Check: Maine must enact voter-approved referendums
AUGUSTA — Republican Gov. Paul LePage has a history of interpreting the state Constitutional in ways that are later discredited, but that didn’t stop him from lobbing more dubious claims this week. In a Tuesday interview on WVOM-FM, LePage claimed Maine’s constitution says approved ballot referendums are just “recommendations” that “the legislature doesn’t even have […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. Paul LePage announces plan to cut addiction care waitlists
Gov. Paul LePage’s administration is poised to make what sounds like a major announcement this morning in regards to an expansion of substance abuse treatment opportunities in Maine. Mary Mayhew, commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services, and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Christopher Pezzullo will brief reporters later this morning on a plan […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Gov. Paul LePage ’embarrassed’ by bid to vote for Bernie Sanders
LePage said he felt “very, very embarrassed” Monday watching Bright in the House chambers in Augusta as the organic farmer from Dixmont sought to dodge a state law requiring that he cast his ballot for Democrat Hillary Clinton, who won the statewide vote last month. Bright, one of the state’s four electors, said he thought […]