The Maine Senate and House voted Tuesday night to pass a sweeping medical marijuana reform bill that overhauls the caregiver system. The bill, which now goes to Gov.Paul LePage, would let caregivers expand their business operations. For example, they could hire more than one worker, and sell up to 30 percent of their harvest to […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Parties already filling fall TV slots with ads
It will not be easy this fall to avoid political advertising on Maine television. In the 2nd District congressional race alone, more than 6,300 commercial spots have been reserved by two competing political action committees. And they are just getting started. The House Majority PAC, which backs Democrats, and the Congressional Leadership Fund, which pushes […]
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Posted inMaine, News
Maine ‘clean elections’ fund runs dry as lawmakers fight over typo
AUGUSTA — The state ethics commission announced Tuesday that the Maine Clean Elections Act fund does not have enough money to issue full payments due to 120 candidates in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year, which ends Saturday. In a memo to commission members, Executive Director Jonathan Wayne said the fund has been alloted […]
Posted inNation / World, News
17 states sue Trump administration over family separations
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Seventeen states, including New York and California, sued the Trump administration Tuesday to force it to reunite the thousands of immigrant children and parents it separated at the border, as pressure mounted to reconnect families more quickly. “The administration’s practice of separating families is cruel, plain and simple,” New Jersey Attorney […]
Posted inNation / World, News
Trump denies he’s to blame for Harley-Davidson decision
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump denied Tuesday that his trade policy is to blame for Harley-Davidson’s decision to shift some motorcycle production overseas, saying on Twitter that the company is using “Tariffs/Trade War as an excuse” to hide previously announced plans to move jobs to Asia. The Milwaukee-based company said Monday it came to […]
Posted inMaine, News
Here’s how Maine’s ballot question on universal home care will read
The Maine Secretary of State’s Office released on Monday the language of a November ballot initiative that would raise taxes on wealthier Mainers to pay for home care for the elderly and disabled. Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap said in a press release said that the final wording of the question on an act that […]
Posted inMaine, News
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Zak Ringelstein returns to Maine after arrest in Texas
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Democrat hoping to unseat Maine’s popular independent Sen. Angus King has returned to the state following his arrest and detainment in Texas. Zak Ringelstein traveled to the southern border, where he was arrested Friday while attempting to deliver water, toys and books to children detained in McAllen, Texas. WGME-TV reports Ringelstein was […]
Posted inNation / World, News
Court upholds Trump travel ban, rejects discrimination claim
WASHINGTON (AP) — A sharply divided Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld President Donald Trump’s ban on travel from several mostly Muslim countries, rejecting a challenge that it discriminated against Muslims or exceeded his authority. A dissenting justice said the outcome was a historic mistake. The 5-4 decision Tuesday is a big victory for Trump on […]
Posted inNation / World, News
House GOP struggles with immigration bill ahead of recess
WASHINGTON (AP) — Struggling to find the votes to pass an immigration overhaul, House Republicans are focusing on a slimmed-down bill to stem the crisis of separating immigrant families at the border. But even that more modest measure has hit uncertainty. President Donald Trump rejected the idea of adding more immigration judges, insisting it would […]
Posted inMaine, News
LePage stalls borrowing package; Democratic leader says tactic puts ‘petty demands’ before public interest
AUGUSTA – Gov. Paul LePage has stalled the sale of voter-approved bonds as a dispute intensifies between the governor and Legislature over state borrowing and a package of new spending bills. LePage’s spokesman, Peter Steele said in a statement Monday that LePage was concerned over “11th-hour legislative spending” and was asking Maine’s State Treasurer Terry […]