On Thursday, LePage again turned up the heat by going public about his displeasure with the state Senate’s Republican majority leadership. During an hourlong radio chat Thursday morning, LePage blasted Senate Republicans, again accusing them of siding with House Democrats in stymieing his efforts to lower and eventually eliminate Maine’s income tax. “The conflict is this,” […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
House approves concealed weapons bill with fix designed to satisfy LePage
AUGUSTA — A bill to allow Mainers to carry concealed handguns without a permit appears destined for Gov. Paul LePage’s desk after the House agreed Thursday to an amendment designed to win the governor’s support. The latest version of the bill, approved by bipartisan majorities in the House and Senate, would allow anyone older than 21, […]
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School CPR veto overturned by Maine lawmakers
AUGUSTA — Maine lawmakers have overturned Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of a bill that will provide students the chance to learn how to perform CPR and use automated external defibrillators. The Republican-controlled Senate voted 31-4 to override LePage’s veto of Republican Rep. Matt Pouliot’s bill on Thursday. The Democratic-led House supported the veto override with […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Committee expected to vote on LePage’s nominee to PUC after delay
PORTLAND — The Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee is expected to take up the nomination of economist Bruce Williamson to the Maine Public Utilities Commision on Thursday, but a late-session flurry of activity could interfere with those plans. Republican Senate staff, Democratic House staff and the committee’s clerk said a vote is likely Thursday […]
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Maine health insurance premiums could rise without ACA subsidies
Monthly premiums would skyrocket nearly 400 percent if Maine consumers who bought health insurance under the Affordable Care Act lose subsidies that help them afford coverage, according to a new report. The Kaiser Family Foundation released the analysisahead of an expected U.S. Supreme Court ruling later this month that will determine the fate of the federal subsidies, a […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
State government shutdown possibility haunts budget talks
While majority Republicans in the Senate and Democrats in both chambers had reached a tentative deal Sunday evening, the House GOP caucus, backed by Gov. Paul LePage, is holding out for a deal that includes income tax cuts. Support from at least some House Republicans is needed to reach the two-thirds threshold necessary to pass […]
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LePage talks about bullying with Brunswick students
BRUNSWICK — Gov. Paul LePage’s discussion about bullying Monday at Brunswick Junior High School led to questions about the state’s commitment to funding school services. LePage spoke at length about the correlation between poverty and bullying at the school’s second annual Civil Rights Day, drawing heavily from his own experiences growing up in Lewiston. “(Bullying […]
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Maine bill allowing concealed guns without permits amended for veterans
AUGUSTA — The Maine Senate, without debate, Wednesday amended a bill that allows adults 21 years old or older to carry concealed handguns without permits. The amendments ensure veterans and active-duty military members who are at least 18 would also be able to pack heat. The bill, LD 652, sponsored by state Sen. Eric Brakey, […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine says Marijuana Policy Project can collect signatures
AUGUSTA — Maine officials say a pro-marijuana group can begin collecting signatures in support of a statewide referendum supporting legalization. The Washington, D.C.-based Marijuana Policy Project will ask residents if the question of legalization should be on the ballot in 2016. A spokeswoman for the Maine Department of the Secretary of State says the state […]
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Video: LePage says he has nothing to do with robocalls by daughter
PORTLAND — Gov. Paul LePage told reporters in Portland on Wednesday that he had nothing to do with robocalls against Republican senators circulated earlier this week by his daughter and her organization, Maine People Before Politics. Lauren LePage’s voice was on robocalls Monday evening that criticized Senate President Mike Thibodeau, R-Winterport, and Senate Majority Leader […]