LEWISTON — Weapons weren’t allowed inside the Androscoggin Bank Colisee before a law change let Maine residents carry concealed handguns without permits — and weapons still aren’t — but management has decided to be extra clear. “We hadn’t had any signage, but we do now,” Operations Manager Mike Cain said. The large sign on a […]
eric brakey
Posted inLetters
LaBonte is Auburn’s #1 advocate
I am proud to endorse Auburn Mayor Jonathan LaBonte for re-election this Nov. 3. It is no secret that Auburn has seen economic hardship. For decades, this city has struggled to retain job opportunities and the young families that come with them. When political leaders were challenged on this, the response was always, “It could […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Stavros Mendros leads effort to repeal extension of GA to asylum seekers
AUGUSTA — A group of concerned Mainers, including three Republican lawmakers, has launched a citizen petition drive to veto a controversial bill that extends General Assistance benefits to some immigrants for up to two years. Stavros Mendros, a former Republican legislator and city councilor from Lewiston, filed preliminary paperwork for the petition drive on Friday, according […]
Posted inMaine
Price tag holds up handgun bill
AUGUSTA — Despite winning majority votes in the Maine Legislature, a bill doing away with permit requirements for those carrying a concealed handgun might be holstered because of its price tag. The bill, LD 652, will cost the state more than $200,000 a year in lost permit and fine revenue and could cost as much […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Lawmakers take up repeal of Maine’s Clean Elections law
AUGUSTA — A proposal to ask voters whether they want to repeal Maine’s Clean Election law has received a cool response from a legislative committee. The Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee began on Friday to examine Republican Sen. Eric Brakey’s proposal to place a measure on the November ballot to repeal the public-financing elections law […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
People with intellectual disabilities oppose LePage-supported bill
People with intellectual disabilities and their families told lawmakers Wednesday that a measure backed by Gov. Paul LePage would hamper their ability to weigh in on significant funding changes to state services. Under the bill, the Department of Health and Human Services would no longer be required to hold a public hearing in the Legislature […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Road signs oppose Maine Turnpike tolls
The black-and-white signs sprouting along Androscoggin County roadsides may have some motorists scratching their heads. The signs read: “Tear down these tolls,” a message aimed at abolishing tolls along the Maine Turnpike system. But the message continues: “Support LD 120.” That bill, making its way through the Maine Legislature, doesn’t seek to eliminate turnpike tolls. […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Brakey proposes 6-month hold on welfare for new Mainers
AUGUSTA — A Republican state senator is renewing an effort to require that Medicaid and welfare applicants live in Maine for at least six months before receiving benefits even though the U.S. Supreme Court has struck down similar restrictions in other states. Sen. Eric Brakey, co-chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee, said he […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, sj-web
Brakey bill to roll back concealed handgun regulations gaining momentum
AUGUSTA — Sen. Eric Brakey, an Auburn Republican serving his first term in the Legislature, is bullish about rolling back restrictions on carrying concealed handguns in Maine, despite several similar efforts that failed in recent years. His bill, LD 652, would make Maine the fifth state to establish “constitutional carry” — a universal right of […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislative panel votes to keep Maine’s seat belt law
AUGUSTA — A legislative committee has dealt a blow to an effort to roll back the state’s seat belt law. The Transportation Committee on Friday unanimously rejected Auburn Republican Sen. Eric Brakey’s bill to allow people older than 17 to not wear their seatbelts. Brakey says the seatbelt mandate is government overreach, but his effort […]