AUGUSTA — A state lawmaker from Auburn is hoping to lower the minimum age for candidates wanting to serve in the Maine Legislature. State Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, offered a bill Monday that would ask voters statewide if they want to lower the minimum age for State House candidates to 18 for the House of […]
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Bill seeks steady funds for Maine’s homeless shelters
AUGUSTA — Maine lawmakers are taking a hard look at the way the state helps fund homeless shelters. On Monday, members of the Legislature’s Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development Committee listened to two hours of testimony from witness after witness who said more needs to be done to stabilize funding. State funding for homeless […]
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Maine committee approves bill on fireworks litter
AUGUSTA — Failing to clean up the debris after a private fireworks show could more easily result in a littering fine if a bill approved by the Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee is passed. The measure specifically adds fireworks debris to the state’s littering laws, but the committee rejected a handful of other […]
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Lawmakers endorse Whitney as head of Maine Technology Institute
AUGUSTA — A legislative panel has supported Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s nominee for director of the Maine Technology Institute. The Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development Committee unanimously endorsed Brian Whitney’s nomination Monday. The Augusta resident has held the role in an acting capacity since August after the institute’s former director, Robert Martin, was ousted […]
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Maine legislative oversight panel OKs rail authority audit
AUGUSTA — The Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee voted unanimously Friday morning to launch a performance audit of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, which oversees the Amtrak Downeaster train service from Maine to Boston. The investigation was requested by Sen. Stan Gerzofsky, D-Brunswick, who said his chief concern is transparency within the agency around […]
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Maine lawmakers consider looser raw milk regulations
AUGUSTA— Maine agricultural officials say they support easing license requirements for some dairy farmers who sell raw milk directly to consumers. The Legislature is considering two bills that would loosen regulatory requirements on raw milk. The Portland Press Herald reports the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry quality assurance and regulations director Ronald Dyer […]
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Maine minimum wage: Union workers lobby lawmakers for increase
AUGUSTA — Union workers are calling on lawmakers to support measures they say will improve wages and tackle economic inequality in Maine. About 200 workers packed the halls of the State House on Thursday to lobby lawmakers to raise the $7.50 per hour minimum wage and ensure that employees have predictable schedules. They’re also urging […]
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Analysis: Maine Supreme Court ruling doesn’t end feud between LePage, Mills
When the state’s highest court on Tuesday released its determination in the latest spat between Gov. Paul LePage and Attorney General Janet Mills, both sides tried to spin the decision as a big victory. There’s an obvious element of political grandstanding in those responses. The governor and attorney general are both political positions, and no […]
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LePage defends tax proposals in Auburn
AUBURN — Gov. Paul LePage pitched his plan to reform Maine’s tax system and realign the state’s spending priorities in a “town hall” forum at Edward Little High School on Wednesday. LePage announced he intends to put a statewide ballot measure before voters in 2016 that would ask them to amend the Maine Constitution to […]
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Willette says he won’t resign over Facebook post
UPDATED 2:43 P.M.: AUGUSTA — A state senator said Wednesday that he has no intention of resigning over a series of offensive Facebook posts, including one that suggests President Barack Obama’s family members are part of the Islamic State group. The Maine Democratic Party has called on Republican Sen. Michael Willette to step down over what […]