PORTLAND — A Catholic agency that has for years worked to resettle refugees in Maine says it will continue to work with them even if federal resettlement rules change. Catholic Charities Maine has worked to resettle more than 3,000 refugees over the past several years. But President Donald Trump has announced plans to restrict entry […]
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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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Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Donald Trump seeks 20 percent tax on Mexican goods to fund border wall
PHILADELPHIA — President Donald Trump called on fellow Republicans to help him enact “great and lasting change” during a party retreat Thursday but offered few details. Later his spokesman said the president will seek a 20 percent tax on Mexican imports to pay for a proposed border wall. The president was greeted by cheers as […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislature passes marijuana moratorium bill
Senate President Thibodeau: leg. ldrs. will meet with @Governor_LePage at 4 p.m. to discuss the pot moratorium bill. #mepolitics #staytuned — Chris Cousins (@Storytiller) January 26, 2017 AUGUSTA (AP) — State lawmakers on Thursday unanimously approved legislation delaying the retail sale of marijuana until at least February 2018. A referendum approved by voters in November gave […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Mexican president cancels meeting with Donald Trump
MEXICO CITY — Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said Thursday he will not attend a planned Jan. 31 meeting with President Donald J. Trump, hours after Trump tweeted that the meeting should be canceled if Mexico won’t pay for a border wall. Pena Nieto’s message on Twitter ended days of uncertainty about how he would […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
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 […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine DHHS asks feds to OK Medicaid changes
The LePage administration has sent a letter outlining changes to Maine’s Medicaid program that they want green-lit by President Donald Trump. The impact of all of these proposed changes is unclear, but they include premiums and other changes that the Maine Department of Health and Human Services said in a news release will be sent to the Trump administration […]
Posted inMaine
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 […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine to end its role in refugee resettlement March 4
As President Donald Trump weighs sharp restrictions on the resettlement of refugees in the U.S., Gov. Paul LePage’s administration has been taking the final steps to end Maine state government’s small role in the federal refugee resettlement program. Documents reviewed by the Bangor Daily News show that the state plans to end its part in […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
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. […]