AUGUSTA (AP) — A Democratic lawmaker says that state health officials failed to provide specific answers about a federal audit revealing the agency failed to investigate the deaths of disabled adults. An August audit by the Office of Inspector General of the federal Department of Health and Human Services found nine deaths were unexplained, suspicious […]
Maine Legislature
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Maine lawmakers want to know why deaths went uninvestigated
AUGUSTA (AP) — A legislative panel wants answers from Maine health officials about a federal audit that revealed the agency failed to investigate the deaths of 133 disabled adults. The Portland Press Herald reported (http://bit.ly/2vJEofW ) the Legislature’s health and human services committee sent the Aug. 31 letter to Department of Health and Human Services […]
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Lawmakers may tackle ranked-choice voting, pot bills in special session
AUGUSTA (AP) — The Democratic House speaker hopes lawmakers will tackle ranked choice voting and marijuana legalization bills when they return for a special session this fall. Maine Gov. Paul LePage told lawmakers Wednesday he’s calling them back to Augusta over problems with a law taking effect Nov.1 allowing local regulation of food. Speaker Sara […]
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Paul LePage calling special session over food sovereignty law
AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine Gov. Paul LePage says he’s calling lawmakers back to Augusta over the food sovereignty law. LePage told legislative leaders in a letter dated Tuesday that a special session is necessary before the law takes effect on Nov. 1 because of objections from the federal government. The law allows for local regulation […]
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Maine Senate assistant leader Cushing disputes ethics accusation
AUGUSTA (AP) — A leading Republican lawmaker is pushing back against the latest accusation of ethics violations involving his campaign and leadership political action committee. The Maine Democratic Party said Tuesday that Assistant Senate Leader Andre Cushing sent a save-the-date email promoting his leadership PAC’s August event before the legislative session officially ended Aug. 2. […]
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Tax credits, lottery on agenda for Maine government oversight panel
AUGUSTA (AP) — A Maine legislative panel is set to review its investigations into a state tax credit program and Maine’s lottery. The Legislature’s government oversight committee is scheduled to meet Wednesday. The committee will present a review of the state’s Pine Tree Development Zones, which allow eligible businesses to greatly reduce or eliminate state […]
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Maine legislator calls for answers on uninvestigated deaths in group homes
AUGUSTA (AP) — A leading Democrat wants answers after a federal audit revealed the state didn’t investigate untimely and unexplained deaths in group homes for the developmentally disabled. Democratic Rep. Patty Hymanson says the Legislature’s health and human services committee will work with the state to understand how such incidents happened and improve oversight of […]
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Licenses for recreational marijuana sales won't be ready in February
PORTLAND (AP) — Maine officials say the state will not be able to meet its deadline for the start of recreational marijuana sales. Republican State Sen. Roger Katz tells the Portland Press Herald the agencies responsible for the recreational marijuana market rollout do not have the time before the February deadline for things such as […]
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Nate Libby uses ‘colorful language’ in tweet aimed at LePage
AUGUSTA — A letter from Gov. Paul LePage that sharply criticized Sen. Nate Libby’s support for raising the age to buy cigarettes left the Lewiston Democrat smoking mad. The Republican governor called senators who overrode his veto of a measure that hiked the legal age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21 “hypocrites” for […]
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Maine legislators propose limiting personal marijuana plants
PORTLAND (AP) — Maine legislators have introduced a new proposal limiting the amount of marijuana plants citizens grow on their land for personal use. The Portland Press Herald reported (http://bit.ly/2u4gPOb ) the plan limits the amount of mature plants to 12. The plants also must be tagged with a name and a Maine driver’s license […]