The Republican takeover of the Senate majority really shouldn’t matter much to progressives. Even when Democrats have the majority, precious little gets done in a body that lets a minority of members obstruct. But never mind. A modern, future-oriented agenda has been advancing on the state level — as progressive governors rush into the vacuum […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage’ targets taxes, attorney general in his 2nd-term agenda
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage on Thursday outlined a second-term agenda that ranged from reviving welfare reform proposals that have previously failed to a new initiative aimed at weakening the attorney general’s power. In a wide-ranging conversation with the Bangor Daily News on Thursday afternoon, LePage also said the gubernatorial campaign taught him two somewhat […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Mason among new GOP legislative leaders
Sen. Mike Thibodeau of Winterport, who has been Senate minority leader for the past two years, was unanimously chosen by his caucus — which controls a 20-15 majority — to be the next Senate president, though technically that decision will have to be confirmed by the full Senate on Dec. 3. Senate Republicans chose third-term […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Mason, Timberlake, Espling may seek leadership roles in Legislature
AUGUSTA — With the elections over and lawmakers set to be sworn in next month, Democratic and Republican caucuses in both chambers are scurrying to determine who will take leadership roles in the 127th Legislature. While not as high profile as the governor, legislative leaders wield immense power in the State House, driving the policy […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Governor’s race, bears, pot drove Twin Cities’ voters
LEWISTON — The governor’s race, the bear baiting referendum and a local vote on legalizing marijuana seemed to drive local voters to the polls Tuesday. Of 13,680 ballots cast Tuesday in Lewiston, 13,504 — nearly 99 percent of voters in the city — filled out the bubble on their ballot to vote in the governor’s […]
Posted inMaine
In wake of losses, Maine Democratic Party chair says he won’t seek re-election
AUGUSTA — Two days after his party suffered defeat at the hands of Republicans, Maine Democratic Party Chairman Ben Grant announced Thursday he would step down. Grant, a 37-year-old lawyer and former Maine Senate staffer from Portland, took over the party in 2011, just months after Democrats suffered a similar thumping as Republicans rode a […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Request made to recount Lewiston state Senate race
LEWISTON — State election officials confirmed Wednesday that a request has been made to recount ballots in the Senate District 21 race between Democrat Nate Libby and Republican Patti Gagne. According to unofficial results from the Lewiston city clerk’s office, Libby, a state representative and city councilor, won the Senate seat by 64 votes. In […]
Posted inMaine
King to continue to caucus with Democrats in U.S. Senate
BRUNSWICK — Independent announced Wednesday he will continue to caucus with the Democrats. The Republicans won a majority in the U.S. Senate during Tuesday’s election. King announced his decision to reporters Wednesday outside his home in Brunswick. The former Maine governor was elected in 2012 to replace Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe, a prominent centrist who […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Poliquin defeats Cain in 2nd District Congressional race
BANGOR — Republican Bruce Poliquin is projected by the Bangor Daily News to have defeated Democrat Emily Cain in the race to represent Maine’s 2nd Congressional District. Independent Blaine Richardson was a distant third. Unofficial voting results showed Poliquin defeating Cain in eight counties in the district, including Penobscot County where Cain lives. Cain was […]
Posted inMaine
LePage wins another four years in the Blaine House
LEWISTON — Before a hometown crowd of about 300 supporters in the basement reception hall of the church he attended as a boy, Republican Gov. Paul LePage declared victory early Wednesday morning. “Tonight I’m very, very humbled and very proud; I’m very, very proud,” LePage said. “Because 50 years plus, I was raised across the […]