AUGUSTA — State Sen. Amy Volk, R-Scarborough, wants to ask voters if Maine should increase the length of a state Senate term from two years to four. Volk told members of the Legislature’s State and Local Government Committee earlier this month that two-year terms for state senators are too short and leave senators spending more […]
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Bill seeks to tax PAC-to-PAC transfers in Maine
AUGUSTA — The top Republican in the state Senate is offering a bill that would charge political action committees in Maine a fee for transferring large amounts of money between one another. The bill, LD 1192, offered by state Senate President Mike Thibodeau, R-Winterport, is the latest in a list of about a dozen bills […]
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Bill to ban tired driving focuses on fatal accidents
AUGUSTA — The sponsor of a bill that would make fatigued driving a crime in Maine said she was ready to amend her bill so it applies only to drivers in fatal crashes, after she heard suggestions from lawmakers Monday when introducing the bill. Republican Rep. Stacey Guerin of Glenburn’s bill, LD 988, as written […]
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Marco Rubio announces 2016 presidential campaign
MIAMI — Sen. Marco Rubio on Monday took on Hillary Rodham Clinton in his first words as a presidential candidate, telling top donors he is running for the Republican nomination because the 2016 race for the White House should be about the future, not the past. The first-term Republican from Florida, 43, also told his […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Poliquin raises more than $700,000 in first quarter for 2016 re-election
AUGUSTA — U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin has raised more than $700,000 to support his re-election bid. Poliquin’s staff said Monday that the Republican’s fundraising totals for the first three months of the year beats the freshman first-quarter record set two years ago by Democratic Florida Rep. Patrick Murphy. Poliquin faces another challenge from Democrat Emily […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Analysis: Budget showdown doesn’t have to lead to shutdown
AUGUSTA — About three months after Gov. Paul LePage first unveiled his two-year budget proposal, there’s still a lot of room for disagreement in the capitol. Democrats say much of the colossal tax reform package in the plan, including the elimination of the estate tax and cuts to the corporate income tax, are a handout to […]
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Committee approves task force to study ‘service dogs’ in Maine
AUGUSTA — An effort to stop some Maine dog owners from misrepresenting their animals as “service” dogs by requiring more documentation was unanimously voted down by a key panel of state lawmakers Thursday. The legislation, which would have required dog owners provide proof in the form of training documentation and a letter from a health […]
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Maine Senate upholds veto on fair pints
AUGUSTA — Senate Republicans on Thursday voted to sustain a veto of a bill to require bars that sell “pints” of beer to serve a full 16 ounces of brew. The bill, by Sen. John Patrick, D-Rumford, would have directed liquor inspectors to check the volume of glasses at bars and restaurants that advertised pints […]
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Maine committee votes to tighten campaign finance laws
AUGUSTA — A legislative panel Wednesday rejected a bill that would change the way Maine replaces a U.S. senator in the the case of an absence. On a nearly unanimous vote, the Legislature’s Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee shot down a bill offered by state Rep. Matt Moonen, D-Portland, that would have stripped from the […]
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Maine police chiefs support concealed-carry permits
PORTLAND — Police chiefs from several of Maine’s largest cities joined activists Wednesday to denounce a proposal to scrap the state’s concealed-carry permitting process for a more relaxed law that would allow nearly anyone to carry a hidden handgun. “If this passes, I’m certain a tragedy will occur,” said Larry Gilbert, a former Lewiston mayor […]