PORTLAND — A set of questions that — depending on how they are answered — could tip Maine government on its ear were heard by the state’s highest court Friday. The justices of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court seemed to be carefully considering both sides as they prepared to give an advisory opinion to Republican […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Live Chat Replay: Panel discusses LePage’s questions before Maine’s high court
We will discuss the arguments before the justices with a panel of political and legal experts, including Steve Robinson, Lance Dutson and Peter Brann, as lawyers for the governor and the Legislature make their oral arguments starting at 9 a.m. Robinson is a former staffer for the Maine Heritage Policy Center and editor emeritus of […]
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Posted inMaine
King offers federal bill to reduce wait for asylum seeking immigrants
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, said Thursday he plans to introduce federal legislation to shorten the waiting period that prevents asylum-seeking immigrants from pursuing work to support themselves and their families. The issue has been a wrangling point for state and local officials in Maine who say immigrants waiting for work permits have come to […]
Posted inMaine
Maine Speaker files civil suit against Gov. LePage
AUGUSTA — House Speaker Mark Eves has filed a civil lawsuit in federal court against Republican Gov. Paul LePage. David Webbert, Eves’ attorney, filed the suit Thursday in U.S. District Court in Portland. The suit stems from LePage’s involvement with Eves’ employment and subsequent firing from the Good Will-Hinckley School in Fairfield. Eves, D-North Berwick, […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
List for open Auburn councilor-at-large seats grows
AUBURN — The city could have a tight race for the at-large City Council seats this November, with seven candidates mulling a run. As of Wednesday morning, incumbents Belinda Gerry and David Colby Young had completed their nomination papers, guaranteeing them spots on the November ballot. They could face five challengers, all passing nomination papers […]
Posted inMaine
Bill to set up vets commission stuck in LePage’s legal limbo
AUGUSTA — A bill that creates a short-term task force of veterans to review and make recommendations for change to the state’s Bureau of Veterans Services is among a group of 65 bills in legal limbo as the Legislature and Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s lawyers prep to duke it out in the state’s highest court. […]
Posted inMaine
LIVE CHAT: Friday on LePage’s case before Maine’s high court
Join us Friday online for a live chat on Gov. Paul LePage’s case before the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. We will discuss the arguments before the justices with a panel of political and legal experts including Steve Robinson, Lance Dutson and Peter Brann as lawyers for the governor and the Legislature make their oral arguments […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Maine
Group rallies around ballot question to reform Maine campaign laws
AUGUSTA – A group hoping to reform Maine’s campaign finance laws with a statewide ballot question this November rallied at the State House on Tuesday with about 200 supporters in tow. The ballot question requires more disclosures for political advertising and steep increases in the fines for campaigns and candidates that violate Maine election laws. […]
Posted inMaine
Maine makes little headway in reporting mental health concerns to federal gun database
LEWISTON — Since 2011, the number of mental health records reported to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System has increased dramatically, helping block the sale of firearms to people with serious mental health concerns. But many states, including Maine, have failed to significantly change their laws to require more reporting to NICS. And now, some […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
House GOP to use private funds to file arguments in Paul LePage veto case
AUGUSTA, Maine — Republican House Minority Leader Ken Fredette said Thursday that he and other House Republicans have used private funds to hire an attorney to file a written argument in support of Gov. Paul LePage in a pending Maine Supreme Judicial Court case over the validity of 65 vetoed bills. Fredette requested public funding […]