AUGUSTA — Maine’s Republican governor says requiring legal notices to be printed in newspapers “props up a dying, antiquated industry.” Gov. Paul LePage is no fan of Maine newspapers, and has said journalists use words to destroy people. State legislators on Thursday overrode LePage’s veto of a bill that requires the continued posting of newspaper legal notices […]
Maine Legislature
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Legislature eyes bill that would allow recall elected officials
Spurred in part by public frustration at having no way to oust Gov. Paul LePage after a series of embarrassing comments, lawmakers are taking a look at a measure that would allow the recall of elected officials in Maine. Its sponsor, Sen. Justin Chenette, D-Saco, said this week he wants “to give power back into […]
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Bill would limit gifts to Maine doctors from drug companies
AUGUSTA — A bill limiting gifts from drug companies to doctors is receiving bipartisan support in Maine. Rep. Scott Hamann, D-South Portland, says he wrote the bill after reading how some doctors who prescribed opioids received thousands of dollars from drug manufacturers. He says the bill received widespread support because many see the link between […]
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Sen. Eric Brakey eyes tax break for silver and gold sales
If Sen. Eric Brakey gets his way, buying silver and gold may get cheaper for Mainers. Brakey, an Auburn Republican, is pushing a measure to exempt gold and silver coins and bullion from the state sales tax. One of the businesses that would likely help, the South Portland-based Maine Gold and Silver, said the sale […]
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LePage administration hires Garrett Murch — former Sessions staffer — as analyst
AUGUSTA — A former communications adviser to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is now working for Maine Republican Gov. Paul LePage. Garrett Murch worked for Sessions while he represented Alabama in the U.S. Senate. The Maine native most recently worked as a senior editor for a website operated by conservative talk radio host Laura Ingraham. […]
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Paul LePage invites Democrats to discuss budget options
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage was on vacation in Jamaica last week when legislative Democrats unveiled a list of budget priorities they called “The Opportunity Agenda,” which included cuts to property taxes and a range of investments in education, social services and student debt relief. During an interview on WVOM this morning, LePage said some of the Democrats’ priorities […]
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Thomas Saviello withdraws bill to limit foraging
PORTLAND — The lawmaker who introduced a bill designed to restrict wild foraging for food in Maine says he will call for the bill to not pass. Republican Sen. Thomas Saviello made a proposal to prohibit foraging food without getting permission from a property owner. The proposal’s up for a potential committee vote on Tuesday. Saviello […]
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Bill would give parents money for home schooling, tuition
AUGUSTA — Legislators will consider a bill to give parents state money they can use for their children’s education outside of the public school system. Republican Rep. Jeffrey Hanley’s bill is set for a public hearing Monday. His bill would have the Treasurer of State direct 90 percent of a state subsidy for a child’s […]
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Eric Brakey sponsors bills to reform state general assistance program
AUGUSTA — A legislative committee will start to consider bills that would reform the state’s general assistance program. Maine towns each run a general assistance program that helps people lacking enough money to pay necessary expenses. The state reimburses the towns and cities for 70 percent of such benefits. LePage’s final two-year budget proposal would […]
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Monhegan Island lawmaker backs bill to block wind turbines
Siblings Alice, left, and Orion Pearce, of Pittsburgh, Pa., enjoy a stroll on the beach during the first day of their summer vacation on Monhegan Island, Maine, on Friday, June 21, 2002. PORTLAND — A proposal before the Legislature would prevent the state from permitting an offshore wind energy project in the vicinity of Monhegan […]