AUGUSTA — If you get any kind of check from state government, you are going to see Terry Hayes’ signature on it — at least for the next two years. Hayes, an independent who was recently elected state treasurer, said that’s one of the weirdest things about her new job. A former Democratic state representative […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Community college board appoints attorney as interim president
BANGOR — The Maine Community College System Board of Trustees on Friday announced the appointment of the system’s lawyer as its interim president. Derek Langhauser, general counsel for the system, replaces John Fitzsimmons, who resigned earlier this month under pressure from Gov. Paul LePage. Langhauser’s appointment takes effect on Feb. 16. He also serves as […]
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DHHS budget addresses LePage’s vision not lack of funding
AUGUSTA, Maine — Despite accounting for about half of the governor’s proposed $6.3 billion two-year spending plan — and including provisions that immediately sparked controversy two years ago — the new budget proposal for the Maine Department of Health and Human Services has earned few remarks in Augusta. That’s partly because Gov. Paul LePage’s budget […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage explains plan to replace secretary of state with lt. governor
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage will propose a constitutional amendment to take the power to appoint the attorney general and state treasurer away from the Legislature and give that authority to either the governor or voters. LePage said Friday he would submit his proposal to the Legislature sometime after a Republican Governors Association meeting in February. […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Chat archive: Should Maine tax its nonprofits?
Live Blog Taxing Nonprofits in Maine AUGUSTA – A tax reform plan by Gov. Paul LePage as part of his 2016-2017 two-year budget proposal is drawing plenty of attention. Among other things the plan would allow cities and towns to apply a property tax to nonprofit organizations that hold more than $500,000 in property. […]
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Get out of jail free? Auburn senator suggests low-profile suspects pay no bail
AUGUSTA — Eliminating cash bail would dramatically reduce the number of inmates in Maine jails and dramatically lower taxpayer costs, according to state Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn. Brakey said Thursday he intends to introduce legislation that would do away with bail in Maine and replace it with a system that screens those charged with crimes […]
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PUC nominee Carlie McLean gets energy committee endorsement
AUGUSTA — A Maine committee has endorsed Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s nominee to the Public Utilities Commission. The Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee unanimously supported Carlie McLean’s nomination to the board on Thursday. LePage picked McLean to fill the seat that’s being vacated by PUC Chairman Thomas Welch, who resigned before his term was supposed […]
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LePage questions Patriots’ ethics
More coverage: Mark LaFlamme finds out for football fans, it’s all about the PSI. PORTLAND — Speaking to reporters after his speech at the Maine Real Estate and Development Association on Thursday, Gov. Paul LePage stated his low opinion of the Super Bowl-bound New England Patriots football team. The National Football League determined this week […]
Posted inBusiness, Franklin, sj-web
Video: LePage calls Verso ‘bottom feeders,’ and it should leave Maine
AUGUSTA — Maine Gov. Paul LePage says the chances of the shuttered Bucksport paper mill reopening are “little to none” and describes the company officials who closed the mill as “bottom feeders.” The Kennebec Journal reported LePage made his remarks Wednesday at a Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce meeting in Augusta. His statements come a […]
Posted inMaine
Lawmakers hear from Maine’s conservation commission on ranger restructure
AUGUSTA — Maine’s agriculture Commissioner Walter Whitcomb on Tuesday shared new details of a plan that would restructure the state’s Forest Service, including the elimination of between 12 and 13 forest ranger positions. Whitcomb told a joint meeting of the Legislature’s budget-writing Appropriations and Agriculture committees that the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Conservation wanted […]