AUGUSTA — A special legislative study group on Friday approved a recommendation that gambling in Maine be expanded, despite opposition from lawmakers and other critics who say it goes beyond the group’s scope and ignores potential consequences to existing casinos. The Gaming Commission, including lawmakers, casino managers, casino opponents and American Indian tribal leaders, voted 10-8 […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage promises to shave his head for charity
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage says he’ll shave his head if Maine state employees and retirees raise $350,000 this year for charity. The Republican governor made the remark on Friday during a kick-off event at the State House for the 34th annual Maine State Employees’ Combined Charitable Appeal. LePage says he was upping “the ante” […]
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Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Senate set to OK budget bill, but fight not over
The result: a high-stakes showdown that is playing out in a climate of chaos, infighting and unpredictability that is extraordinary even by congressional standards. Reflecting the building drama, Senate Chaplain Barry Black opened Friday’s session with a prayer that included, “Lord, deliver us from governing by crisis.” The Senate planned votes later Friday on the […]
Posted inMaine
Maine gubernatorial campaigns trade jabs over jobs claim
AUGUSTA — Maine’s top Republican leaders and a top political consultant for Gov. Paul LePage’s re-election campaign launched a salvo of complaints this week regarding a statement U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud made on jobs in a campaign ad issued earlier in September. Michaud, a Democrat, is running for governor and said the state, under LePage, […]
Posted inMaine
Maine conservation group issues environmental scorecard for Legislature
AUGUSTA — A bipartisan group of Maine lawmakers shared the limelight Thursday as Maine Conservation Voters released its annual scorecard on legislative voting records Thursday. Maureen Drouin, MCV’s executive director, said the last lawmaking session produced “mixed results” for Maine’s environment. MCV is a nonpartisan organization that works to make the protection of Maine’s environment […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
King stands in defense of Obamacare
“The estimates are between 20,000 and 30,000 of those people die each year because of the lack of health insurance,” King said during a speech on the Senate floor. “Why doesn’t that bother us?” King spoke late in the day following a more than 20-hour filibuster by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who spoke against the […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
McKernan hopes to help overcome partisan gridlock
PORTLAND — John “Jock” McKernan, former Republican Maine governor and husband to longtime U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, has been named president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, a nonprofit research and advocacy arm of the larger Chamber organization. McKernan will also serve as senior adviser to Thomas Donohue, president and CEO of the Chamber, […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
King compares Obamacare opposition to murder in interview
Maine’s independent U.S. Sen. Angus King says conservatives trying to dissuade people from enrolling in Obamacare “are guilty of murder in my opinion.” King explained his views on the value of the Affordable Care Act in an interview with Salon’s Brian Beutler. Last week, King said that an insured health exam discovered a mole that […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
National advocate for legalizing marijuana visits Maine
LEWISTON — A national advocate for the legalization of marijuana was in Maine this week meeting with campaign donors and journalists. Rob Kampia, the co-founder and executive director the Marijuana Policy Project, said his organization is looking to add Maine to a growing list of states that have made marijuana legal for recreational use by […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Sun Journal mayoral debate kicks off Twin Cities election season
LEWISTON — Mayoral candidates Robert Macdonald and Larry Gilbert will square off Thursday, Oct. 3, at a live public forum hosted by the Sun Journal and the Lewiston Public Library. The forum is the first of three opportunities for Twin City voters to meet the candidates this fall. The event will be moderated by Androscoggin […]