AUGUSTA — Lawmakers from both political parties are trying to prevent Gov. Paul LePage’s administration from bringing keno to Maine this spring, arguing Monday that such a significant expansion of gambling requires legislative approval. A bill before the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee seeks to halt the lottery commission’s plans to join 15 states that offer […]
politics
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Union says Verso owes more severance to Bucksport workers
BUCKSPORT — Maine’s Bureau of Labor Standards is looking into whether a shuttered paper mill has paid all of the severance owed to machinists who worked at the facility. A spokeswoman for the bureau says Monday the review of Verso Paper Corp. is ongoing. The International Association of Aerospace Workers and Machinists says Verso erred […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Analysis: How the ‘LePage doctrine’ is transforming Maine politics
AUGUSTA — Last week, Matt Gagnon, head of the conservative Maine Heritage Policy Center, compared Republican Gov. Paul LePage to — of all people — Ed Muskie. LePage’s supporters envision him inheriting the transformative role played half a century ago by Muskie, the Democrat whose leadership propelled his party to four decades at the top […]
Posted inOp-Eds
John Brautigam: Legislators can abolish leadership PACs
The proliferation of leadership PACs in Maine is detrimental to public confidence in the democratic process. Legislation now pending would ban such PACs. The Legislature should seize the opportunity. Maine voters have long demanded a campaign funding system that ensures accountability and honors democratic ideals. Through the years, many steps have been taken to reduce […]
Posted inMaine
Rotundo: LePage budget ‘shreds’ mental health safety net
AUGUSTA — The Democratic House chairwoman of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee says the governor’s budget would “shred” Maine’s safety net for people with mental illnesses. State Rep. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, said in a statement late Thursday that a proposal by Gov. Paul LePage’s administration that would reduce by 10 percent the Medicaid reimbursement rates for […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislative panel votes to keep Maine’s seat belt law
AUGUSTA — A legislative committee has dealt a blow to an effort to roll back the state’s seat belt law. The Transportation Committee on Friday unanimously rejected Auburn Republican Sen. Eric Brakey’s bill to allow people older than 17 to not wear their seatbelts. Brakey says the seatbelt mandate is government overreach, but his effort […]
Posted inMaine
LePage budget aims to eliminate state funding for methadone
AUGUSTA — Doctors and mental health professionals said a proposal by Gov. Paul LePage to stop state payments for methadone treatment for opiate addicts receiving Medicaid benefits would result in dramatic and likely tragic consequences. The proposal, part of LePage’s $6.57 billion, two-year state budget plan, would instead require addicts to be treated with Suboxone […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine Labs fail to fetch support in state senate
AUGUSTA — An effort to make the Labrador retriever Maine’s official state dog has been dealt a blow by the Senate. The Republican-controlled Senate voted 24-10 in favor of killing the bill that was introduced by Democratic Sen. David Dutremble of Biddeford. The State and Local Government Committee voted 9-2 against the bill last month. […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Lewiston lawmaker helps lead charge for bill on standardized test opt-out
AUGUSTA — A Lewiston lawmaker is helping lead the charge on a bill that would make it easier for parents to keep their children from taking standardized tests in public schools. State. Sen. Nate Libby, D-Lewiston, said Thursday the bill he’s c0-sponsored with state Rep. Sara Gideon, D-Freeport, is simple and straightforward and makes it […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Analysis: Why Emily Cain announced her 2016 bid for Congress
AUGUSTA — On Tuesday, Emily Cain made it official: Her aspirations to serve in Congress did not end in November with her loss to Republican Bruce Poliquin. Citing continued encouragement from supporters, Cain, an Orono Democrat who served 10 years in the Legislature, announced Tuesday that she would try again to win Maine’s 2nd Congressional […]