AUGUSTA — A handful of Republican lawmakers, if they haven’t already, are about to become the most popular — or, depending on your perspective — among the most reviled legislators in the weeks ahead. “There is a fair amount of pressure coming from both sides,” Rep. Corey Wilson, R-Augusta, said. Wilson, a first-term legislator, is […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Experts: Alexander report on Medicaid expansion could use some expansion
That was supposed to change this week as Gary Alexander delivered his Medicaid expansion feasibility study to the Legislature. Alexander, a former human services chief for Republican governors in Rhode Island and Pennsylvania, is the consultant chosen by Gov. Paul LePage’s administration to examine Maine’s Medicaid and welfare programs and recommend money-saving reforms. But as […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine speeds up concealed weapon permit process
PORTLAND (AP) — Maine state police have cleared a backlog of concealed weapons permits, issuing a total of 11,000 of them. Gov. Paul LePage said Friday that there was a backlog of 5,000 requests that were cleared by the Maine State Police Special Investigations Unit within the Maine Department of Public Safety. Last year, the […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Obama proposes new limits on NSA phone collections
WASHINGTON (AP) — Seeking to calm a furor over U.S. surveillance, President Barack Obama on Friday called for ending the government’s control of phone data from hundreds of millions of Americans and immediately ordered intelligence agencies to get a secretive court’s permission before accessing such records. Still, he defended the nation’s spying apparatus as a […]
Posted inMaine
Cutler challenges LePage and Michaud to early debates
LEWISTON — Eliot Cutler, an independent candidate for governor, is challenging his political rivals to join him for 16 debates, one in each of Maine’s counties in the coming weeks. Cutler sent a letter to the campaigns of Republican Gov. Paul LePage and Democratic 2nd District U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud on Thursday. In his letter, […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Critics fear ‘religious freedom’ bill would allow legalized discrimination
AUGUSTA — Sen. David Burns, R-Whiting, says Mainers need protection from state laws that may impede their religious freedom. But the law he proposes to achieve it is drawing fierce criticism from those who say his bill would create an open door to legalizing discrimination. Burns said his proposed legislation, LD 1428, would codify into […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Senate women score legislative wins as influence grows
WASHINGTON — After decades of trying to amass power, several woman have vaulted to the top of influential congressional committees, putting them in charge of some of the most consequential legislation being considered on Capitol Hill. The $1.1 trillion spending plan Congress approved this week was the handiwork of Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Barbara Mikulski, […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Education leaders support Rier as next commissioner
AUGUSTA — Lewiston and Auburn officials heaped praise on Gov. Paul LePage’s nomination for state education commissioner, Jim Rier of Topsham, after he came one step closer to the job Wednesday. Supporters said Rier knows Maine education, is fair and has integrity. Rier has a reputation for his command of education funding. The Maine State […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Senate committee approves Jon Levy’s nomination to U.S. District Court judge
WASHINGTON — The nomination of a Maine Supreme Judicial Court justice to become the next U.S. District Court judge in the state has cleared the Judiciary Committee and awaits action by the full Senate. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King announced Thursday that the committee approved the nomination of Jon Levy. Both testified last month […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine House overrides veto of bill helping tobacco-cessation treatment
AUGUSTA — Maine lawmakers have voted to override Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of a bill aimed at helping Mainers get treatment to quit smoking. The Democratic-controlled House voted 131-10 in support of the bill that provides insurance coverage of costs for tobacco-cessation treatment for Medicaid program members. In his veto letter, Republican Gov. Paul […]