The 126th Maine Legislature reconvenes in a short session Wednesday, and its top priority is to close a $100 million budget gap. That’s a big gap, which means lawmakers are going to have to compromise, collaborate and be civil toward one another to get the task done. And that goes for every lawmaker, not just […]
democrats
Posted insj-web
Democrats want bond package to support small businesses; GOP wary of additional state borrowing
AUGUSTA — Legislative Democrats will seek support for a slate of bond proposals they say will create jobs by supporting Maine businesses, but Republicans in the state House and Senate are tepid on the idea of additional state borrowing. House Speaker Mark Eves, D-North Berwick, said any bonds supported by Democrats in the second session, […]
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Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Bipartisan budget agreement clears Congress
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress sent President Barack Obama legislation Wednesday scaling back across-the-board cuts on programs ranging from the Pentagon to the national park system, adding a late dusting of bipartisanship to a year more likely to be remembered for a partial government shutdown and near-perpetual gridlock. Obama’s signature was assured on the measure, which […]
Posted inOur View
Bolduc’s email: Frustration plus really bad spelling
Police are familiar with all manner of nuisance complaints: The music is too loud. The car is “all over the road.” The kids are cutting through my lawn. And, yes, the perennial: My neighbor’s cat is doing his business in my flower beds. So we have no problem with Auburn resident Brian Bolduc asking police […]
Posted inLetters
D. Projansky: Looking out for Mainers
Lewiston-Auburn voters are very fortunate to have elected lawmakers who understand the needs of Maine’s hard-working families. I was pleased to learn that state Sens. Margaret Craven and John Cleveland and state Reps. Peggy Rotundo, Wayne Werts, Mike Lajoie, Mike Carey, Nate Libby and Brian Bolduc all scored 100 percent ratings on the Maine State […]
Posted inLetters
D. Ricker: Give those women a second chance
What were they thinking? Were the Democrats in the Maine Legislature politically motivated to reject a bill by State Rep. Amy Volk, R-Scarborough, that would allow Maine courts to vacate prostitution verdicts for women who could prove they were victimized by human trafficking? According to party sources, they were. Jon Hinck, D-Portland, agreed with political […]
Posted inLetters
L. Wooten: The voters are taking notes
Maine is experiencing the war on bills, but it is more like tyrannical rule by those who make up the majority in the Legislature. A bill about wine tasting has taken priority over bills to help homeless veterans with housing (by utilizing buildings that are slated for demolition), and bills that would protect human sex […]
Posted inLetters
N. Bourgoin: Affordable Care Act
A bill that was put together by Democrats behind closed doors, so determined to have it implemented that Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., was quoted as saying, “We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it.” Not having been read, it was approved by a Democratic House and Democratic […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
LePage and Democrats’ battle over committee hearings foreshadows another fiery session
AUGUSTA (AP) — The legislative session hasn’t started yet, but tensions are already running high between Gov. Paul LePage and Democratic lawmakers in Augusta. Democrats say they’re frustrated with the Republican governor’s new policy limiting executive branch staff appearances at committee hearings, spurring a debate that’s setting the stage for another combative legislative session. For […]
Posted inLetters
R. Bechard: Impeach Obama, period
The liberal Democrats of America turned a blind eye to the Obama administration, knowing the truth would come out. President Barack Hussein Obama is a master of deceit. He wasn’t truthful about the Benghazi attack; he told falsehoods about the IRS and the NSA spying on people, and he was dishonest about Obamacare. Attorney General […]