PORTLAND — On a wet patio above a bustling diner, Maine Gov. Paul LePage on Wednesday morning became the first Republican governor in the nation to endorse a presidential candidate for 2016: Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey. LePage described Christie as a mentor and a friend and thanked him for his support during a […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Paul LePage’s attorney says he’s not subject to Government Oversight Committee review
AUGUSTA — A top attorney for Republican Gov. Paul LePage is resisting efforts by several state lawmakers to have the Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee launch an investigation into LePage’s actions regarding House Speaker Mark Eves and a position he had been hired for then fired from at the Good Will-Hinckley School. The committee, evenly split […]
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Legislature passes bill that removes permit requirement for concealed guns
AUGUSTA — A bill that removes Maine’s requirement that those carrying a concealed handgun first obtain a permit from law enforcement to do so passed the state Senate on a 23-12 vote Tuesday. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, now moves to Republican Gov. Paul LePage, who will have 10 days to veto […]
Posted inMaine
Lawmakers pass Maine $6.7 billion budget despite LePage veto
AUGUSTA – In a show of bipartisan strength Tuesday, the Maine Legislature stood up to Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of a new $6.7 billion state budget that cuts the state’s income tax rate and stretches the sales tax in an attempt to shift more of the state’s costs to visitors. The House voted 109-37 […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Rallies for and against Paul LePage pop up at State House
AUGUSTA — While lawmakers spent their morning on Tuesday arguing whether to override Gov. Paul LePage’s budget veto, two groups of Maine voters were having their own conversation at the State House — about their views of the governor. Several dozen self-described conservative activists were first, turning up inside the State House’s central Hall of […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Oversight committee to discuss allegations against Paul LePage
AUGUSTA — Members of the Legislature’s watchdog Government Oversight Committee will convene Wednesday to discuss allegations that Gov. Paul LePage improperly or illegally interfered with Good Will-Hinckley’s hiring of Democratic House Speaker Mark Eves as the organization’s president. As first reported by the BDN last week, LePage threatened with withhold more than $500,000 per year […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine Legislature enacts new state budget despite Paul LePage veto
AUGUSTA — In a show of bipartisan strength Tuesday, the Maine Legislature stood up to Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of a new $6.7 billion state budget that cuts the state’s income tax rate and stretches the sales tax in an attempt to export more of the state’s costs to visitors. The House voted 109-37 […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Obama proposes making it easier for ‘managers’ to earn overtime pay
WASHINGTON — They’re called managers, and they sometimes work grueling schedules at fast food chains and retail stores. But with no overtime eligibility, their pay may be lower per hour than many workers they supervise. With those employees in mind, the Obama administration is proposing making up to 5 million more people eligible for overtime […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislature’s budget committee agrees to $100 million borrowing package
AUGUSTA — Focusing on roads, bridges and housing, the Legislature’s budget-writing Appropriations Committee on Monday signed off on a $100 million state bond package that will go to voters in November for approval. “These investments will address immediate needs in our communities and spur much-needed job growth across the state,” state Rep. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, […]
Posted inMaine
Paul LePage vetoes state budget, issues graphic veto message
AUGUSTA — The Legislature is set to reconvene Tuesday in order to take up a veto of the state’s next two-year budget issued by Republican Gov. Paul LePage on Monday afternoon. The veto follows a failed LePage attempt to make about $60 million in cuts to the budget, when LePage used his executive authority to […]