AUGUSTA — A new state lead-poisoning standard passed into law in 2015 is sitting in limbo, according to lawmakers and advocates who say Maine should move quickly on the change to better protect children from exposure to the neurotoxin. The change, based on legislation sponsored by Sen. Amy Volk, R-Scarborough, and Rep. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, would […]
politics
Posted inMaine
Paul LePage heads to Iowa to campaign for Chris Christie
AUGUSTA — Republican Gov. Paul LePage was headed to Iowa on Monday to campaign for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who is seeking the Republican Party’s nomination for president. LePage set out on the day of the Iowa caucuses, the first litmus test for presidential hopefuls. Christie, who is trailing in the polls in Iowa, […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Protestors greet Marijuana Policy Project’s petitions
AUGUSTA — A group that hopes to legalize marijuana in Maine delivered petition signatures to the state Monday as opponents hectored the group’s organizers. The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol says it delivered 103,000 signatures in its quest to make Maine the first state in the East to legalize pot for recreational use. More […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Mental health advocates slam Riverview plan
AUGUSTA — A proposal from Gov. Paul LePage to place violent patients with mental illnesses at the Maine State Prison ran into stiff resistance after its Monday roll-out. Jenna Mehnert, the executive director of NAMI Maine, condemned the plan in harsh terms, saying the group was “flabbergasted,” “shocked” and “horrified” at the plan, which she […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Four things to watch in today’s Iowa Caucuses
Iowa Caucus Voter Turnout in Past Elections | Graphiq WASHINGTON — At last, it’s caucus day in Iowa. A few things to watch for on Monday as the nation gets its first glimpse of where the 2016 candidates really stand in the race for the Republican and Democratic presidential nominations: WHO SHOWS UP TO CAUCUS […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
For Paul LePage, all politics is personal
AUGUSTA — When Paul LePage first ran for governor in 2010, he touted “people before politics” as his mantra. It serves as a pledge to his constituents that LePage will put the interests of Maine people ahead of political posturing that’s designed to keep an individual or a party in power. Though LePage’s effectiveness at […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine GOP wont submit welfare-tax petitions for 2016 ballot
AUGUSTA — The Maine Republican Party’s effort to lower income taxes and reform welfare won’t appear on Maine’s ballot in 2016, but a spokesman said Friday the party will push for a vote next year. It was always a strong possibility that the GOP’s bid to get more than 61,000 signatures from Maine voters by […]
Posted inMaine
Report: Maine’s Bureau of Veterans Services should be upgraded, expanded
AUGUSTA — A new report released Friday is recommending Maine’s Bureau of Veterans Services be expanded and revamped so it can better serve the state’s estimated 140,000 military veterans. The report shows it’s been more than 15 years since the bureau has received any updated policies or targeted funding, and that younger veterans — those from […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Democratic lawmakers share details of Paul LePage’s tax plan
Two Democratic representatives who say they’re tired of Gov. Paul LePage’s administration concealing from the public how he wants to pay for a $38 million tax conformity bill revealed Thursday to the Bangor Daily News what they say he has proposed. The Republican governor’s administration declined to answer questions from the BDN on Thursday about […]
Posted inMaine
Poliquin says bill would close federal loophole keep terrorists from food stamps
LEWISTON — Maine’s 2nd District U.S. congressman said Thursday he wants to make sure those convicted of federal terrorism crimes are not allowed to receive welfare benefits after they have served their prison sentences. U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin, a Republican, said current law allows some categories of terrorist criminals to apply for and receive benefits […]