AUGUSTA — A hayride mishap that claimed the life of a 17-year-old Oakland girl last October at a farm in Mechanic Falls has Maine lawmakers grappling with what the state can or should do to try to prevent similar tragedies in the future. On Monday, the Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee heard testimony […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage wants more timber cut; Lawmakers want bonds released
CUMBERLAND — Gov. Paul LePage on Monday reiterated that he will not authorize roughly $11.5 million in voter-approved conservation bonds unless the Legislature approves a new plan to cut more timber on public land and use the new revenue to pay for heating assistance programs. Details were limited, but in a memo sent to lawmakers […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legalize Maine close to having pro-marijuana petition approved
AUGUSTA — One of the Maine groups pushing for a statewide ballot question on recreational marijuana legalization is close to having its petition approved. Legalize Maine needs state officials to sign off on its petition so it can begin circulating it for signatures. A spokeswoman for the state Department of the Secretary of State says […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage to promote tax plan in Machias, Belfast this week
AUGUSTA — Republican Gov. Paul LePage is heading to Eastern Maine this week as he continues his tour to tout his tax plan. LePage will hold town hall meeting 6 p.m. Tuesday at the University of Maine Hutchinson Center in Belfast. The event is being held in the Walsh Wing conference room. At 6 p.m. Wednesday, […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Portland gay marriage advocate among lawyers arguing before Supreme Court
WASHINGTON — Five lawyers will take turns at the Supreme Court lectern Tuesday for the highly anticipated and extended arguments over same-sex marriage. Among them are the Obama administration’s top lawyer at the high court, with more than two dozen arguments behind him, and two lawyers making their first appearance before the justices. The cases […]
Posted inOp-Eds
Leonard Pitts: There is no denying the ‘facts,’ right?
“Obama is a Muslim,” it said. “That is a FACT.” As best I can recall — my computer ate the email — that was how the key line went in a reader missive that had me doing a double take last week. It was not the outlandish assertion that struck me but, rather, the emphatic […]
Posted inMaine
Bill aims to target blighted property problem in Maine cities
AUGUSTA — A bill meant to help municipal government in Maine more quickly deal with abandoned and blighted properties is picking up solid support in the Legislature. The measure, LD 1203, sponsored by state Sen. Nate Libby, D-Lewiston, is scheduled for a work session and possible vote before the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee on Monday, April […]
Posted inMaine
Maine bill to allow concealed guns without permit stalls
AUGUSTA — An effort to remove a requirement in Maine law that those who carry concealed handguns must first acquire a permit to do so stalled Friday when a legislative committee tabled the bill. The bill, LD 652, offered by state Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, would allow anyone who legally owns a firearm to carry […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Lawmakers take up repeal of Maine’s Clean Elections law
AUGUSTA — A proposal to ask voters whether they want to repeal Maine’s Clean Election law has received a cool response from a legislative committee. The Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee began on Friday to examine Republican Sen. Eric Brakey’s proposal to place a measure on the November ballot to repeal the public-financing elections law […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Ban on shackling pregnant prisoners advances in Legislature
AUGUSTA, Maine — A measure to ban the shackling of incarcerated pregnant women won the approval of the Legislature’s Criminal Justice Committee on Friday. The bill, LD 1013, would allow for the shackling of pregnant women in Maine’s jails and prisons only in extraordinary circumstances, and would require documentation whenever restraints are used. The bill’s […]