BRUNSWICK — Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Shenna Bellows on Thursday prodded her Republican opponent, incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins, to sponsor a bill that would drastically reduce the interest rates on many outstanding student loans. Congress last year passed a bill to reduce the interest rate on federally backed student loans to 3.86 percent, down […]
politics
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
LePage blames liberals for gridlock in Maine
PORTLAND — Republican Gov. Paul LePage, up for re-election this year, denounced political extremism while reiterating a disdain for newspapers, Medicaid expansion and what he views as loopholes in the state’s welfare system during a speech at a Portland business event Thursday morning. “In Augusta, there are some great Republicans and some great Democrats — the […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Christie says he, LePage alike
“I will tell you I’m committed to spending what we need to spend here in order to give the people a full view of Gov. LePage’s record and the record of his opponents,” Christie said after joining LePage in chatting with customers at Becky’s Diner. Christie said Maine’s race was one of the governors association’s […]
Posted inMaine
Leading candidates for governor’s race in Maine eye fall debate schedule
LEWISTON — Despite repeated public requests that they step to the stage and square off in a policy debate, the leading candidates in Maine’s governor’s race — Republican incumbent Gov. Paul LePage and Democratic U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud — are brushing off independent challenger Eliot Cutler. Cutler has invited — in writing and in public […]
Posted inMaine
Independent Cutler announces his policy plans on environment and energy in Maine governor’s race
BANGOR — Independent gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler vowed to “rebuild” Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection and create a Maine Energy Finance Authority to provide capital for energy projects if elected in November. Cutler laid out his energy and environment policies during a Tuesday morning news conference at Gomez Park while touting his work with the […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, sj-web
Liberal activists apologize to Lisbon lawmaker for political jab
AUGUSTA — The state’s leading liberal activist group has apologized to a disabled Lisbon lawmaker for distributing a flier in his district that said the legislator, who uses a wheelchair, had “no spine” and refused to “stand up” to Republican Gov. Paul LePage. The flier was distributed by Maine People’s Alliance to highlight opposition to […]
Posted inMaine
Public advocate reverses position on giant wind-energy deal
AUGUSTA — The state public advocate’s office, which represents the interests of utility customers in Maine, has withdrawn its opposition to a multimillion-dollar transaction to build wind turbines across Maine and the Northeast. The move was made, Public Advocate Timothy Schneider said, after his office reviewed its previous position and decided that the deal would […]
Posted inMaine
Top Maine DHHS official leaves agency to return to private sector
AUGUSTA — The chief operating officer for the Maine Department of Health and Human Services is leaving his post to return to the private sector, according a spokesman for the agency. According to DHHS spokesman John Martins, William Boeschenstein Jr. of Cape Elizabeth, who served with DHHS since March 2011, will be replaced by Sam […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
N.J. governor to visit Maine to help LePage campaign
PORTLAND — Trailing in fundraising, Maine Gov. Paul LePage hopes a visit by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie this week will raise campaign cash — and rally his conservative base. LePage’s campaign says fundraising has been hampered by rules preventing contributions from lobbyists or business or individuals that employ lobbyists. But those restrictions are no […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Supreme court supports prayer at public meetings
WASHINGTON — Prayers that open town council meetings do not violate the Constitution even if they routinely stress Christianity, a divided Supreme Court ruled Monday. The court said in 5-4 decision that the content of the prayers is not significant as long as they do not denigrate non-Christians or proselytize. The ruling by the court’s […]