Elle Magazine editors announced Wednesday morning that Susan Collins, the Republican U.S. senator from Maine, has been named to its 2014 list of the “ 10 Most Powerful Women in Washington.” “Republican Sen. Susan Collins from Maine … is just such an interesting person but also really fundamental in helping break up the gridlock in Washington, […]
politics
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine House passes Medicaid expansion without the votes to survive veto
AUGUSTA — Maine’s Democratic-led House gave initial approval Tuesday to a bill to expand Medicaid coverage to low-income residents under the federal health care law, but the bill crafted by two moderate Republican senators will need to garner more support in both chambers to survive a future veto from Republican Gov. Paul LePage. The proposal, […]
advertisement
Posted inMaine
LePage blasts Maine lawmakers on solar efforts
AUGUSTA — Republican Gov. Paul LePage on Tuesday launched a fusillade of criticism against the Legislature’s Democratic majority for supporting bills that promote solar energy during one of the coldest winters in recent history. Rolling out a new proposal on energy, LePage said the focus of “liberal” lawmakers on solar is misguided because many Maine […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine Senate sustains virtual charter school veto
AUGUSTA — Maine’s Democratic-controlled Senate has sustained Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of a bill that would direct the state to work toward creating a state-run virtual charter academy. The Senate voted 23-12, falling short of the two-thirds support needed to override the veto. In his veto message, LePage said he opposed the part of […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Health official says he’s surprised that his name surfaced in CDC document shredding hearing
BANGOR — Bangor’s former director of health and community services said Monday he was surprised he and the city had been the subject of so much attention during the state’s document-shredding probe into the Maine Center for Disease Control. “It’s difficult for me because I don’t know all of the information and I think Bangor […]
Posted inMaine
State employees could be using texts to subvert Maine’s open records law
AUGUSTA — It’s not unusual for state employees in Maine to carry two mobile phones with them these days. The governor’s press secretary and communications director do it, so does the legislative liaison for the state’s Department of Health and Human Services, as does the DHHS commissioner. Often one of the phones is state-issued and […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage signs domestic violence bill
AUGUSTA — While Gov. Paul LePage and Democratic leaders continue to spar over Medicaid expansion and the state budget, the Republican governor is signing several proposals lawmakers are sending to his desk. Among several bills LePage signed Sunday is one that bans alleged domestic violence and sexual assault offenders from contacting victims between the time […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine Democrats press LePage to release bonds
AUGUSTA — There’s no end in sight in the battle between Democratic lawmakers and LePage over millions of dollars in bonds the governor is refusing to sign off on. Democratic leaders called on LePage Monday to immediately release the bonds now that the Appropriations Committee has approved his bill to replenish the rainy day fund. […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
U.S. threatens more sanctions as Crimea declares independence
KIEV, Ukraine — Crimea’s declaration of independence Monday from Ukraine triggered the toughest Western sanctions against Russia since the Cold War — with Washington and the European Union retaliating with asset freezes and travel bans and U.S. President Barack Obama vowing to “increase the cost” if the Kremlin does not back down. Ukraine’s turmoil has […]
Posted inMaine
CDC officials deflect blame in document-shredding probe
AUGUSTA — After six hours of testimony Friday from the six current and former Maine Center for Disease Control officials at the heart of a state document-shredding probe, two things became clear. Deputy Director Christine Zukas told employees to destroy public documents related to funding for the Healthy Maine Partnerships program. And scoring was changed […]