AUGUSTA — A trio of legislative committees Tuesday took a first look at a $4.9 million bill meant to increase treatment for drug addicts and put more drug agents on the street to stop the flow of illicit drugs into Maine. But lawmakers already were split on the measure, which would fund 10 new Maine […]
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Posted inMaine
Maine lawmakers mixed on Obama’s upcoming executive orders on guns
AUGUSTA — Maine lawmakers had mixed reactions Monday in advance of new executive orders from President Barack Obama on federal background checks for gun purchases. While the details of Obama’s latest attempts to initiate tighter gun control in the U.S. have not been released, Republicans expressed their concerns the president would overreach and infringe on […]
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Maine lawmakers prep for short session
AUGUSTA — State House leaders Monday outlined their plans for the start of the second regular session of the 127th Legislature, but it’s clear Republicans and Democrats are going to struggle to find common ground on a host of issues. Topping the list will be how fast the Legislature moves on a bill that’s meant […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Jeff McCabe, Troy Jackson to run for Maine Senate seats
AUGUSTA — House Majority Leader Jeff McCabe and former Senate Majority Leader Troy Jackson announced Maine Senate campaigns on Monday, kicking off the Democratic campaign to take back the chamber in 2016. Their entries aren’t a surprise: For months, both have been publicly mulling bids to run in districts held by Republicans, who hold a […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Paul LePage to claim immunity against Mark Eves’ suit
PORTLAND — Gov. Paul LePage plans to claim immunity against a lawsuit brought by House Speaker Mark Eves over actions that led to the rescinding of a job offer, his lawyer said. A procedural filing by lawyer Patrick Strawbridge contains the first glimpse of the governor’s defense, saying a motion to dismiss the lawsuit would raise […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Feds keep distance from armed group occupying Oregon refuge
BURNS, Ore. — An armed anti-government group took over a remote national wildlife refuge in Oregon as part of a decades-long fight over public lands in the West, while federal authorities are keeping watch but keeping their distance. The group came to the frozen high desert of eastern Oregon to contest the prison sentences of […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Health care advocates sue DHHS over plans to nix ombudsman
AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Health and Human Services is being sued over a decision to end ombudsman services through the state Medicaid program. Consumers for Affordable Health Care filed the lawsuit last week. Executive Director Emily Brostek says Mainers need the ombudsman program to help them navigate the health care system to ensure […]
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Analysis: This legislative session to be more about politics than policy
The gridlock of split majorities in the House and Senate and a veto-happy governor means the 2016 legislative session will center more on politics than on policy. It’s often said lawmakers accomplish little of consequence during the second session of each two-year legislature because they are too busy positioning for the next election. With three […]
Posted inMaine
For politics in 2016, you need to be careful what you wish for
I’ve heard you have to be careful of what you wish for — but as we roll into 2016, there are some interesting political changes in the wind here in Maine and nationally with a presidential election on the horizon. The first is that every seat in the Legislature is again up for grabs, as […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Paul LePage gives ‘gift’ to Republicans, snubs Tom Saviello
AUGUSTA — Maine Gov. Paul LePage has delivered Christmas gifts to most Republicans in the Legislature. But his goal apparently wasn’t to spread holiday cheer. WMTW-TV reports that the Republican governor sent copies of an illustrated book, “If You’re Riding a Horse and It Dies, Get Off.” The author describes it as a “humorous allegory […]