AUGUSTA — Lewiston Democrat James Handy was confirmed the winner of the House District 58 race by the Maine Secretary of State’s Office, following a recount of ballots. Handy and Republican Denise Hurilla were separated by 43 votes before the recount. After the recount, Handy lost four votes while Hurilla gained 1, confirming Handy’s victory. […]
Maine Legislature
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Campaign to become Maine's attorney general is almost invisible
AUGUSTA — Voters across the country typically choose an attorney general in a statewide election that’s sometimes bitterly contested because the post is often a stepping stone to higher office. In Maine, though, the electorate is a lot smaller: the 186 members of the state Legislature. So there aren’t any annoying television commercials, mean-spirited mailers […]
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Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
'Big, bold things' on tap for Democrats in Augusta, Nate Libby says
LEWISTON — With his former dog sitter likely to be the city’s next member of Congress, his party soon to control both the state House and state Senate, and a Democratic governor soon to take office, state Sen. Nate Libby is pretty darn happy. In the wake of Tuesday’s successful election for Democrats in Maine, […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Democrats now control both houses of Maine Legislature
Democrats gained control of the Maine Legislature on Tuesday, increasing their majority in the House of Representatives and recapturing a decisive majority in the Senate. Top Democrats said they would use their majority to take action on several key issues, including funding Medicaid expansion, keeping $160 million in school funding in place and addressing the […]
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
Education funding highlight of 128th Legislature
The 128th Legislature has finally adjourned. History will soon forget the challenges, drama, dysfunction and battles of this Legislature. There were several significant challenges to consider this session, but none more important than funding Maine’s public schools. It is here that we find probably the crowning achievement of the 128th Legislature. As much as Democrats […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Maine bans projecting political messages on State House
AUGUSTA — Legislative leaders voted Thursday to prohibit political messages from being projected onto the Maine State House in what they said was an effort to maintain the Capitol as a “neutral institution of democracy.” Projecting images or messages onto buildings is becoming increasingly common in Maine and nationally as activists seek to make splashy, highly […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
State denies teaching credentials to former Democratic lawmaker accused of inappropriate behavior
A former Westbrook lawmaker who resigned his seat amid allegations he engaged in inappropriate relationships with female students can no longer teach, coach or work in a school environment now that state officials have refused to renew his credential. The State Department of Education denied Dillon Bates’ renewal request on the basis of sexual harassment […]
Posted inLocal & State
The battle for dominance in the Maine Legislature could come down to a handful of races
AUGUSTA — Voter reaction to two politicians not even on the ballot in 2018 – Gov. Paul LePage and President Trump – could play heavily in determining which party controls the Maine Legislature for the next two years. Power at the State House is currently split near evenly, with the Republicans holding a one-seat majority […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Winthrop legislator who was burned opens House session
AUGUSTA — A state lawmaker who was injured seriously earlier this summer ended the 128th Maine Legislature on a high note. Not only is Rep. Craig Hickman, D-Winthrop, healed from the burns he suffered in a farming accident in July, but he also hit some high notes Thursday morning while singing the national anthem to […]
Posted inLocal & State
Paul LePage refuses to apologize without Saviello saying he’s sorry first
AUGUSTA (AP) —Republican Gov. Paul LePage said Wednesday that he’ll apologize for calling a GOP senator the “most repugnant human being” once the governor himself gets an apology – or when “hell freezes over.” LePage told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he has responded to a committee’s demand that he apologize to Sen. Tom […]