PORTLAND — The future of a 39-foot buffer zone outside Planned Parenthood of New England offices was jeopardized Thursday by a U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down similar buffer zones. By a 9-0 vote, justices ruled a Massachusetts law requiring anti-abortion activists to stay 35 feet away from offices where abortions are performed, excluding hospitals, violated […]
politics
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Former senate leader Howard Baker Jr. dies
WASHINGTON — Former U.S. Sen. Howard Baker Jr., who asked what President Richard Nixon knew about Watergate, has died. He was 88. U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander confirmed Baker’s death in a news release Thursday. Baker, a Republican, served 18 years in the Senate. He earned the respect of Republicans and Democrats alike and rose to […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
State committee votes to continue discussion of Dept. of Labor probe
AUGUSTA — A special federal audit has found no evidence of bias or undue political influence in the outcomes of unemployment compensation appeals hearings at the Maine Department of Labor, a state official has reported to the Legislature. In her report to the Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee on Thursday, Maine Labor Commissioner Jeanne Paquette highlighted […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
LePage returns from China
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage is returning to the United States after several days in China, where he met with businesses in the hopes of attracting them to Maine. The Republican governor is scheduled to return on Thursday. He left for Beijing on Saturday. LePage officials said the governor had planned to meet with representatives […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Susan Collins becomes fourth GOP senator to publicly support same-sex marriage
AUGUSTA — After receiving the endorsement of the nation’s largest LGBT advocacy group, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins on Wednesday indicated for the first time her personal support for same-sex marriage. “A number of states, including my home state of Maine, have now legalized same-sex marriage, and I agree with that decision,” Collins said in response […]
Posted inMaine
Sen. King joins effort to limit ‘dark money’ in campaign spending
Reiterating his concern that undisclosed campaign funding is undermining American democracy, U.S. Sen. Angus King , I-Maine, said he is joining members of the Senate’s Democratic Caucus to reintroduce a bill that would “shine a light on so-called dark money.” Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Shenna Bellows on Tuesday called on U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, […]
Posted inMaine
Federal report on economic growth spurs partisan attacks in Maine
LEWISTON — A new federal report on economic growth — or lack thereof — is providing fertile ground for criticism from both Democrats and Republicans running for office in Maine. The federal Bureau of Economic Analysis on Tuesday released the latest data on economic growth in the U.S., including a state-by-state breakdown that shows Maine’s […]
Posted inMaine
Collins secures endorsement of national LGBT advocacy group
A national organization that advocates for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equal rights has endorsed U.S. Sen. Susan Collins in her re-election campaign. Collins, R-Maine, is facing Democratic challenger Shenna Bellows, former executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine. “Sen. Susan Collins has played a pivotal role in advancing support for LGBT […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Franklin, The Franklin Journal
Maine Ethics Commission to consider complaint in Franklin County treasurer’s race
AUGUSTA — A Democratic candidate for Franklin County treasurer has filed a complaint with Maine Ethics Commission against her Republican opponent. Pamela Prodan, a Democrat, filed the formal complaint against Republican Joanne Karkos on June 10, claiming Karkos spent money on her campaign, despite signing a sworn statement saying she would not accept campaign donations […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Snowe, policy group release report on encouraging bipartisanship
Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream AUGUSTA — A national congressional primary date, more young people in public service and five-day workweeks for Congress were among dozens of recommendations released Tuesday by a bipartisan group of leaders including former Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe that hopes to eliminate government dysfunction and gridlock. Snowe, a moderate Republican who […]