After weeks of indecision, U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin declared Thursday that he will support a health care measure that would repeal key elements of the Affordable Care Act. Poliquin, a two-term Republican from the 2nd District, rushed back to the Capitol early in the day less than 48 hours after his father suffered a stroke […]
politics
Posted inMaine
Maine’s funding for court-appointed lawyers runs out
AUGUSTA (AP) — Attorneys in Maine appointed to defend people who can’t afford a lawyer will have to wait nearly two months to get paid after state funding ran out. The Portland Press Herald reported (http://bit.ly/2q1ryKN ) court-appointed lawyers won’t get paid until the new fiscal year, which starts July 1. John Pelletier, executive director […]
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Posted inNation / World
Donald Trump to weaken IRS rule against church political activity
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is seeking to further weaken enforcement of an IRS rule barring churches and tax-exempt groups from endorsing political candidates, in a long-anticipated executive order on religious freedom that has disappointed some of his supporters. As he marks the National Day of Prayer at the White House Thursday, Trump is […]
Posted inNation / World
Rumors surround Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy’s exit
In this April 10, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump, left, and Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy participate in a public swearing-in ceremony for Justice Neil Gorsuch in the Rose Garden of the White House White House in Washington. As one justice settles into his new job at the Supreme Court, is another about to […]
Posted inMaine
Government-wide spending bill headed for a House vote
In this May 2, 2017, photo, House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., accompanied by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington. A government-wide spending bill that President Donald Trump seemed to criticize Tuesday morning but now calls “a clear win for the American people” is headed for a House […]
Posted inMaine
Eliot Cutler plans to help independent candidates
Next year will bring a key election for independents in the state: Mainers passed a first-in-the-nation system of ranked-choice voting in 2016 and while it’s stuck in the state’s high court over constitutional questions, it may give non-party candidates a lift in future elections. Under such a system, independent gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler would likely have […]
Posted inMaine
Legislative hearing explores allowing guns on college campuses
AUGUSTA — Higher education leaders say campuses would be less safe if lawmakers pass a Maine Republican’s campus carry bill. The bill wouldn’t let public universities, community colleges and Maine Maritime Academy regulate possession of handguns on their campuses. Maine allows concealed carry without a permit for those over 21 years old and has exceptions […]
Posted inMaine
Gov. Paul LePage testifies against Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
Maine’s governor says “most” state residents oppose the creation of a national monument in the state and that it could have the unintended effect of increasing pressure on an adjacent state park. Republican Gov. Paul LePage reiterated his opposition Tuesday to former Democratic President Barack Obama’s decision to create the Katahdin Woods and Waters National […]
Posted inMaine
Rep. Frances Head sponsors bill to recoup naloxone costs
AUGUSTA — A bill introduced in the Legislature would make people who receive repeat doses of a life-saving opiate overdose antidote pay for it. Gov. Paul LePage’s bill, sponsored by Rep. Frances Head, R-Bethel, would make municipalities, counties and contracted first responders recoup the costs of administering naloxone or other opiate overdose antidotes from those […]
Posted inMaine
Gov. Paul LePage, AG Janet Mills take feud to radio
AUGUSTA — A day after suing Maine’s Democratic attorney general alleging abuse of power, GOP Gov. Paul LePage says her office is a place to put “aging ideologues,” while she called his lawsuit a waste of state resources. Both commented Tuesday during a radio call-in show. LePage alleges Attorney General Janet Mills has refused to […]