AUGUSTA — Republican Gov. Paul LePage said Tuesday that the “gloves are off” as he digs in for another fight with Democrats this year over his plan to increase the number of drug enforcement officials in Maine. LePage is imploring the Legislature to back his latest $4 million budget initiative that would create seven new drug […]
politics
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine lawmakers send $28 million budget to LePage
AUGUSTA — Maine lawmakers have sent a $28 million budget bill to Gov. Paul LePage that addresses a funding shortfall for county jails and supports a state-run psychiatric hospital. The House voted 146-1 to give the supplemental budget bill final approval on Tuesday. The Senate followed with a unanimous vote. It provides funding for a several […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage appoints new Maine Forest Service head
AUGUSTA — Republican Gov. Paul LePage has appointed the head of the Maine Forest Service to manage forestry activities on state-owned lands. The Portland Press Herald reports that Doug Denico’s appointment to the post is drawing concern from environmental groups opposed to LePage’s efforts to boost timber harvesting on public lands. The former director of […]
Posted inMaine
Lawmaker says bill is not about Collins running for governor
AUGUSTA — State Rep. Matt Moonen, D-Portland, said Monday that a bill he’s authored to change the way the state selects a replacement U.S. senator in the event of a vacancy has nothing to do with gubernatorial politics. Moonen’s bill was the source of speculation that Democrats were concerned U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, might […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Democrat’s bill would change how Maine replaces U.S. Senators
AUGUSTA — A Maine Democratic lawmaker wants to strip the governor of his power to appoint a replacement in the event of a U.S. Senate vacancy. Matt Moonen’s bill has raised questions about whether Democrats are concerned about the possibility of Republican Sen. Susan Collins leaving her six-year term early to run for governor in […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Environmentalists urge Maine lawmakers to ‘fix’ funding cap
AUGUSTA — Environmentalists and business owners called on lawmakers Monday to swiftly fix an error in a bill that caused state regulators to limit funding for programs designed to lower consumers’ energy bills. When lawmakers passed a sweeping energy bill in 2013, they intended to set the cap on one source of funding for Efficiency […]
Posted inLetters
B. Payne: Politicians should learn from the past
A recent television interview with Maine’s statesmen William Cohen and George Mitchell was impressive. Having worked together in the best interest of the state, both men were appalled at the decline in today’s politics. From the day he was elected, Barack Obama has been a victim of what Clarence Thomas once termed a “high-tech lynching.” […]
Posted inOp-Eds
Brian Bolduc: Put an end to the campaign of hate
“Enough is enough!” — Robert Macdonald. Why would a Democrat from Auburn quote a Republican mayor from Lewiston? Because it is long past time both parties grew up and stop with the “gotcha” politics. Recently, attacks have been laid against Republican Sen. Michael Willette by Democratic Party officials. Personal attacks and hit pieces, all because […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Democratic lawmaker has bill to put legalized pot on ballot
PORTLAND — A third effort is afoot to get marijuana legalization on Maine’s ballot. Democratic state Rep. Mark Dion of Portland says he is talking to other legislators about co-sponsoring his bill. The bill proposes to ask residents about creation, regulation and taxation of a structure for recreational use of marijuana. It includes a proposed […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine microbead ban becomes law without LePage’s signature
AUGUSTA — A bill banning synthetic microbeads in personal care products has become law without Gov. Paul LePage’s signature. Republican Sen. Tom Saviello’s proposal went into law this week after LePage took no action on the bill. Microbeads are non-biodegradable plastic particles used in facial cleansers and toothpaste. They will have to be phased out […]