AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage frequently reminds people that Maine is a poor state and unable to afford its generous welfare programs. But when it comes to paying his own staff, LePage has been a generous boss compared to his Democratic counterparts in Vermont and New Hampshire. A Sun Journal review of public salary records […]
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Posted inLocal & State
Failed Maine DHHS lawsuit costs taxpayers $108,000
AUGUSTA — A failed federal lawsuit and subsequent appeal by the administration of Republican Gov. Paul LePage that was turned down by the U.S. Supreme Court has cost Maine taxpayers $108,000 in legal fees paid to a law firm outside state government. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services released the legal costs paid […]
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Latest Paul LePage missive could trigger 18,000 new pen pals for governor
AUGUSTA — In the latest in a series of handwritten messages, Republican Gov. Paul LePage denied he’s among a group of plaintiffs suing President Barack Obama. “I believe you mistake me for someone else,” LePage wrote in his note to Murshed Zaheed, an activist with the national group CREDO Action. “I do not have a lawsuit […]
Posted inFranklin
LePage has final say in Franklin County commissioner appointment
FARMINGTON — Gov. Paul LePage will have the final say over which Republican from Chesterville, Farmington or New Sharon will be appointed to fill the vacant District 2 Franklin County commissioner seat. Commissioner Fred Hardy of New Sharon died July 4 after serving 22 years in the elected position. He was remembered last week as […]
Posted inLocal & State
Government watchdog committee green lights LePage investigation
AUGUSTA — The Legislature’s watchdog Government Oversight Committee on Wednesday voted unanimously to authorize an investigation into the influence Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s actions had on the decision by a nonprofit charter school to fire House Speaker Mark Eves as its president days after hiring him. In question is whether LePage threatened to withhold or […]
Posted inLocal & State
Maine House leaders urge members to focus on state budget
AUGUSTA — House Democratic leaders on Friday urged members of their caucus to stay focused on the state budget before delving deeper into recent actions by Republican Gov. Paul LePage that have some lawmakers calling for impeachment. House Majority Leader Jeff McCabe, D-Skowhegan, said that while he and other lawmakers were deeply concerned about recent […]
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Gov. LeRage: Paul LePage says area lawmakers, cartoonist should be shot
AUGUSTA — A top advocate for expanding passenger rail to Lewiston-Auburn said Thursday that Republican Gov. Paul LePage said state lawmakers from Lewiston should be “rounded up and executed in the public square.” Tony Donovan, a Portland-based real estate developer and member of the executive council for the Sierra Club Maine, said LePage made the […]
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Maine Democrats may be preparing for Susan Collins for governor
LD 850, offered by state Rep. Matt Moonen, D-Portland, seeks to change the way Maine would fill any potential vacancy to the state’s two U.S. Senate seats. The measure — not yet scheduled for a public hearing — is fueling speculation that U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, is eyeing a bid for the governor’s office in […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
LePage cheered during budget speech
AUBURN — Gov. Paul R. LePage pitched his proposed state budget Friday evening at the Androscoggin County Republican Committee’s annual Lincoln Day Dinner. His key points are reducing and eventually eliminating the state income tax, solving the state’s high energy costs, and fighting the twin scourges of drugs and domestic violence. The large audience of […]
Posted inLocal & State
LePage budget plan reforms Maine tax policy
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage on Friday made good on his promise to “go after” Maine income taxes in his next two-year budget. LePage’s 2016-17 spending plan for state government includes sweeping reforms to Maine’s tax policy, dramatically changing the sources of state revenue from the income tax to a broader and higher sales tax. The […]