PORTLAND — Maine voters thought they approved sweeping changes to the state’s rules on marijuana, taxes, voting and the minimum wage when they went to the polls last year. But think again. The four referendums have hit roadblocks as Republican Gov. Paul LePage, the state Legislature and the courts have weighed in. The final rule […]
2017
Posted inMaine
Paul LePage tweaks budget proposal to boost legal fund, stop anti-bias program
AUGUSTA — Maine Republican Gov. Paul LePage is tweaking his $6.8 billion budget proposal to add funds for private lawyers and cut a civil rights program, among other things. He’s proposing to eliminate the attorney general’s program aiming to reduce bias in schools, saving $550,000 over two years. His administration says the program should be […]
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Posted inMaine
Two Maine House Democrats unenroll from the party
PORTLAND — Two Democratic House representatives have unenrolled from their party, eliminating the party’s outright majority in the chamber and reducing their advantage over Republicans to four representatives. Reps. Denise Harlow, I-Portland, and Ralph Chapman, U-Brooksville, confirmed their withdrawal from the party Friday in messages to the Bangor Daily News. Though unenrolling, Harlow said she […]
Posted inEncore
Silent films showing at Chocolate Church
BATH — The comedic antics of early film comedy stars, including Laurel and Hardy, Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd, will be showcased in an entertaining evening of mirth and music for the entire family. The Chocolate Church Arts Center presents “Flicks and Floats,” at 7 p.m. Friday, June 9, at 804 Washington St., when piano […]
Posted inEncore
Summer solstice celebration at Local Hub
WEST PARIS — The Cottage Street Creative Exchange will celebrate the solstice, and help spark a cultural reawakening, at their Renaissance-themed soirée, from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 17, at the Local Hub in Greenwood. The night will feature Renaissance music and entertainment. Guests are welcome to wear period-style clothing and bring recorders to […]
Posted inFranklin
New Hampshire motorcyclist dies in crash with Jeep in Wilton
WILTON — Kayte Rackliffe said she was taking care of a customer Friday at about 11:07 a.m. at her business, Snippers, on McCrillis Corner Road when she heard a noise, looked out the window and saw an accident. Police investigated and reconstructed a fatal motorcycle accident at the intersection of McCrillis Corner Road and Route 133. […]
Posted inEncore
Maine native takes over helm of Bates Dance Festival
Shoshona Currier has workedextensively in NYC and Chicago LEWISTON — Shoshona Currier, director of performing arts for the city of Chicago, has been appointed as the next director of the Bates Dance Festival, an internationally renowned teaching and performance series held every summer at Bates College. A Maine native with more than 15 years of […]
Posted inEncore
Farmington Library showcasing two artists
FARMINGTON — The Farmington Public Library is featuring two artists for the months of June and July. Joyce Dubay and Marjorie Austin are local, accomplished artists. For Dubay, painting and drawing have been a lifetime experience. She enjoys working in oil paint, watercolor and mixed media. Sometimes she paints on location, other times from photos, […]
Posted inMaine
Legislature sends marijuana regulatory bill to governor
The Legislature took a big, yet perfunctory step toward implementing marijuana legalization on Thursday. With a final vote in the Senate, a bill sponsored by House Speaker Sara Gideon, D-Freeport, went to Gov. Paul LePage’s desk. It would: Move regulatory control of recreational marijuana from the Department of Agriculture — as the 2016 ballot initiative prescribed — to […]
Posted inMaine
Analysis: What’s next for ranked-choice voting in Maine?
AUGUSTA — The implementation of ranked-choice voting hangs in limbo. The system, which election reform advocates have called a “better way to vote,” could be headed back to voters or could die at the hands of the Legislature, depending on what happens with two 11th-hour bills allowed into the legislative process on Thursday. Maine voters […]