AUGUSTA (AP) — The Legislature on Wednesday upheld a bill raising the age to buy tobacco in Maine to 21, while letting stand Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s vetoes of bills targeting distracted driving and calling for an overhaul of solar regulations. Lawmakers returned for their final day of the session to deal with bonds and […]
Maine Legislature
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Live Blog: Legislature to vote on Gov. Paul LePage's vetoes
// The Legislature is back in session to tie up loose ends, which include 27 bills vetoed by Gov. Paul LePage. More political coverage….
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Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Jared Golden's new law aims to improve mental health care for veterans
AUGUSTA — Though Gov. Paul LePage vetoed 25 bills this week, he let a measure to help veterans with mental health issues become law. Sponsor Rep. Jared Golden, D-Lewiston, said there are more than 10,000 veterans in Maine who don’t use Veterans Administration services who may need mental health help. During the debate on the […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Legislature tackles Gov. Paul LePage's vetoes today
The Legislature is finally headed to Augusta for what may possibly be its last day of session for 2017, though don’t count on it. There is talk about a special session later this year, but for now, let’s concentrate on today. The Legislature, which by law was supposed to adjourn for the year on June 21, […]
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Two new laws target aquaculture, housing assistance
AUGUSTA (AP) — Two recently enacted laws help the state’s burgeoning aquaculture industry and those displaced by transportation projects in Maine. One of the laws creates a framework for all individuals growing and selling marine organisms as part of the growing field of agriculture. Most commercial aquaculturists are growing shellfish, and a state marine resources […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Gov. Paul LePage expects Legislature to override some vetoes Wednesday
AUGUSTA — After pondering whether lawmakers will be able to deal with all of his vetoes in a single day, Gov. Paul LePage said Tuesday he expects them to override at least a couple of them. He said legislators are likely to overturn his rejections of a ban on using handheld devices while driving and […]
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Gov. Paul LePage blames GOP for student debt relief plan failure
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage said Tuesday he couldn’t round up enough support from wary Republicans to push through a proposed $40 million bond issue to help young workers pay off their student debts this year. But, he told radio interviewers, he’s not giving up. “I am going to take it out on the streets […]
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Maine lawmakers head to Colorado for tips on marijuana regulation
Four members of a legislative panel are spending a few days in Colorado on a mission to learn the ins and outs of marijuana regulation. Recreational marijuana is already legal in Maine thanks to a voter-approved referendum last fall. But a joint legislative committee is tasked with figuring out the nitty gritty of implementing sales […]
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Republicans need to come around on student debt plan, Gov. LePage says
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage is still pushing to win Republican support for a student debt relief plan that failed last week to secure enough GOP votes to reach his desk. LePage said that offering young people help with paying off student loans is one way to get them to move to Maine, something he […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Maine legislative panel mulls levying 10 percent tax on marijuana
AUGUSTA (AP) — As the legalization of recreational marijuana sales in Maine nears, a legislative panel has spent months pondering the best way to tax pot to bring in state revenue, fund regulatory enforcement and discourage the illicit market. In November, legalization of recreational marijuana was approved. Possession of recreational marijuana became legal this year, […]