The school shooting in Parkland, Florida, that claimed the lives of 17 children and educators has sparked a renewed interest in gun-control legislation in statehouses across the country. Just this week, Florida legislators approved the state’s first major gun-control package in more than 20 years, defying opposition from gun-rights groups like the National Rifle Association. […]
politics
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Donald Trump rolling out big trade tariffs, sparing Mexico, Canada
WASHINGTON (AP) — After a week of hints and uncertainty, President Donald Trump said Thursday he would soon announce tariffs on imported steel and aluminum but with temporary exemptions for Canada and Mexico as he seeks to revise the North American Free Trade Agreement. He suggested Australia and “other countries” might also be spared, a […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Bruce Poliquin presses for more federal aid for Maine's opioids crisis
Despite facing one of the most serious opioid problems in the nation, Maine collected only 40 cents of every $100 allocated by the federal government under a $1 billion federal program approved in 2016 to assist states trying to deal with the crisis. For some, including U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin of Maine, that doesn’t seem […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz backs Mason for Maine governor
The Republican presidential candidate who won Maine’s caucuses in 2016 — U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas — endorsed his former state chairman’s quest to become the next governor. Cruz issued a prepared statement Wednesday hailing state Sen. Garrett Mason of Lisbon and urging GOP voters “to stand with those who have proven themselves to […]
Posted inMaine
Legislative panel passes bill to expand medical marijuana program
Maine’s medical marijuana program would undergo sweeping changes under a bill approved Wedneday by the Legislature’s health and human services committee. The committee bill, which was approved by an 11-2 vote, would increase patient access to medical marijuana by allowing medical providers to certify an adult patient for any medical reason, give registered caregivers the […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage: State agencies, schools ‘dropped the ball’ in 10-year-old’s beating death
Gov. Paul LePage, in his first public statement regarding the alleged murder of 10-year-old Marissa Kennedy by her mother and stepfather, blamed child protective workers, school officials, police and legislators “dropped the ball” and failed to prevent the child’s death. “In this particular case, it is a comedy of errors both at DHHS, CDS, the […]
Posted inBusiness
Proposed tariffs on Canadian steel could backfire on Maine
Maine could be vulnerable if Canada retaliates against President Trump’s surprise tariffs against steel and aluminum imports, and manufacturers here could be placed at a competitive disadvantage from the tariffs themselves, which will raise the prices of those metals. Trump said he will impose 25 percent tariffs on all foreign-made steel and 10 percent on aluminum in […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Democrats claim Bruce Poliquin's office bed is an abuse of taxpayer funds
An ethics complaint filed by 30 Democrats in the U.S. House claims their colleagues who sleep in their government offices are abusing taxpayer funds to give themselves free housing in the nation’s capital. One of the members who spends his nights in Washington in his office is U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin, a two-term Republican from […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Justice Department suing California over sanctuary laws
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration on Tuesday sued to block California laws that extend protections to people living in the U.S. illegally, the most aggressive move yet in its push to force so-called sanctuary cities and states to cooperate with immigration authorities. California officials remained characteristically defiant, vowing to defend their landmark legislation. The […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Economic advisor Gary Cohn latest in wave of exits from Trump's West Wing
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump once presided over a reality show in which a key cast member exited each week. The same thing seems to be happening in his White House. Trump’s West Wing has descended into a period of unparalleled tumult amid a wave of staff departures — and despite the president’s insistence […]