AUGUSTA — A bill meant to tidy up Maine’s interstate highway system by removing or moving about 81 directional and informational signs hit a speed bump in the Legislature’s Transportation Committee on Wednesday. Lawmakers voted to table the legislation, LD 1831, which is the result of a nearly yearlong effort by the Maine Turnpike Authority […]
politics
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine Senate sustains veto of homeless shelter bill
AUGUSTA — Maine lawmakers have failed to override Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of a bill changing the funding formula for youth homeless shelters. The Democratic-led Senate voted 20-14 in favor of overturning the Republican governor’s veto on Wednesday, falling short of the two-thirds support necessary. The measure seeks to ensure that the funds for youth […]
advertisement
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine Senate OKs bill targeting overseas tax havens
AUGUSTA — Maine’s Democratic-led Senate has endorsed a bill designed to block multinational corporations from avoiding paying state taxes by holding their profits in overseas tax havens. The Senate followed the actions of the House on Wednesday to give initial approval to the bill with a 19-15 vote. The measure faces final votes in both […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine Senate votes down tax cut referendum
AUGUSTA — A proposal for a referendum asking voters if they want to cut taxes and government spending was nixed by the Maine Senate on Wednesday. The Democratic-controlled Senate voted 21-13, mostly along party lines, in favor of rejecting the bill backed by Republican Gov. Paul LePage. Under the measure, the state would ask voters if […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine House votes to overturn three vetoes
AUGUSTA— The Maine House has voted to overturn three of Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s vetoes. The Democratic-led House and Senate overturned LePage’s veto of a bill Wednesday creating a study group aimed at strengthening laws to protect children from abuse and neglect. LePage said the Department of Health and Human Services already volunteered to do […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Supreme Court strikes down overall limits on campaign contributions
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court has struck down limits in federal law on the overall campaign contributions the biggest individual donors may make to candidates, political parties and political action committees. The justices said in a 5-4 vote Wednesday that Americans have a right to give the legal maximum to candidates for Congress and president, […]
Posted inMaine
Opponents to removing Maine interstate signs turn out in droves
AUGUSTA — “Don’t take our signs. Don’t move our signs,” seemed to be the message to lawmakers on the Transportation Committee on Tuesday. The comments came during a public hearing on a bill that would remove 68 signs and move 13 others that point to towns, colleges, parks, ski areas and other recreational or cultural […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Cutler proposes infrastructure policy
PORTLAND — Gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler called for improved roads, cellular service and Internet access during the first major policy announcement of his campaign on Tuesday. Cutler said Maine needs to fix and modernize its road system to improve the state’s economy, which he said lags because of outdated roads and bridges. He made the […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine raises awareness of child abuse
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage has declared April to be Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month. Though the governor was not present, law enforcement, public health officials and social service providers gathered Tuesday in the State House Hall of Flags to commemorate the proclamation and urge greater awareness of child abuse and neglect in Maine. […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine panel OKs bill to study gambling expansion
AUGUSTA — A Maine legislative panel has approved a bill to have the state study the market potential for building more casinos in Maine. The Veteran and Legal Affairs Committee unanimously endorsed the measure on Tuesday. The bill directs Maine to contract with a consultant would study whether a market exists for more slot machines […]