AUGUSTA — The Senate on Thursday voted overwhelmingly to override a veto by Gov. Paul LePage of a bill to let retired teachers back into the classroom at full pay for up to five years. The 29-5 Senate vote comes a day after the House also overrode the veto with a vote of 133-5. The […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine House tries to revive tribal gambling bills
AUGUSTA — The House of Representatives on Thursday attempted to revive Native American gaming bills that were soundly rejected Wednesday night in the Senate. In a series of votes Thursday morning, the House voted unanimously to “insist” on passage of two bills that would allow the construction of a casino on tribal lands in Aroostook County and […]
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LePage says solar energy is adding to Maine’s electricity costs
HALLOWELL — Maine Gov. Paul LePage says environmental groups’ push to pick energy “winners and losers” is getting in the way of the state’s ability to lower electricity costs. The Republican governor’s remarks came Thursday at the Energy and Technology Council of Maine’s forum on regional energy infrastructure issues. LePage continued to criticize the Legislature […]
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LePage wants to get rid of term limits for legislators
AUGUSTA — Maine Gov. Paul LePage says the state must take “term limits and throw them out of the window.” LePage said Thursday that term limits means the Legislature is full of young people with “firm agendas” who pass bills that “are hurting us for the long haul.” The Republican governor made his remarks at […]
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Tribal leaders lash out when Senate stops gambling bills
AUGUSTA — The Senate slammed the door on six bills Wednesday night that involved the expansion of casinos and gaming, including three that would have have allowed more gaming opportunities for Maine’s Native American tribes. The other rejected bills would have expanded the use of slot machines for fraternal organizations and harness racing opportunities. R. […]
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Legislature celebrates state’s Franco-American heritage
AUGUSTA — The Maine Legislature on Wednesday celebrated the state’s large population of Franco-Americans during a ceremony at the State House. The 13th annual event featured the induction of seven more Mainers into the state’s Franco-American Hall of Fame. The inductees included Mary Rice-DeFosse of Lewiston, Leo Pepin of Augusta, the Rev. Ron Labarre of […]
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Democrats show little support for LePage’s tax cut referendum
AUGUSTA — Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s proposal to ask voters if they want to cut taxes and government spending got a cool response from Democrats on a legislative panel that began eyeing the bill Wednesday. LePage wants the state to hold a referendum in June asking voters if they want to lower income tax rates, implement […]
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Maine unveils 5-year plan to promote tourism
Part of that strategy involves leveraging the help of actor and Maine native Patrick Dempsey, also known as “McDreamy” from television’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” as well as families reflecting Maine lifestyles and values. The Maine Office of Tourism rolled out its five-year plan — a blueprint and roadmap for the state’s tourism strategy — Wednesday during the […]
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Budget panel reaches compromise on LePage’s rainy-day proposal
AUGUSTA — The Appropriations Committee has approved Gov. Paul LePage’s plan to replenish the state’s rainy-day fund to $60 million and has agreed unanimously to move forward the contents of a controversial $17 million amendment that was previously attached to the bill separately. Many of the committee’s votes came at near 3 a.m. Wednesday after […]
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Report says Maine school spending increases while SAT scores decline
AUGUSTA — Despite a dramatic rise in per-pupil spending on education across the country, and in Maine, SAT scores have stayed stagnant, according to a report released Tuesday by the Cato Institute, a conservative think tank based in Washington, D.C. The report says that in Maine, overall spending has increased by 180 percent since 1972, […]