AUGUSTA — Legislative leaders from both major political parties will be conferring about whether to create a task force or take other action to examine gun violence, school safety and the treatment of mentally ill people following the deadly shooting rampage at a Connecticut elementary school, Maine’s House speaker said Tuesday. Democratic Speaker Mark Eves, […]
Maine Legislature
Posted inFranklin, Lewiston-Auburn, Oxford Hills, River Valley, sj-web
2012 Sun Journal Maine Legislature election guide released
The Sun Journal has published its 2012 guide to Maine’s 126th Legislature. Click here to view
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Posted inLetters
R. Jeselskis: Kudos to state officials
During the past two years, the Legislature, along with the governor, have passed some much-needed reform. Independent contractors have long needed someone on their side in Augusta and it seems like now they do. With the passage of bills that have reformed the definition of independent contracting, these businessmen and women now have a chance […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Michael Hein pleads not guilty to attempted theft by deception
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — According to The Kennebec Journal, a candidate for the Maine Legislature has pleaded not guilty to falsifying documents to show that he qualified for public campaign funding. House of Representatives Republican primary candidate Michael Hein is charged with attempted theft by deception. The Kennebec Journal reports that Hein did not appear […]
Posted inLetters
P. Keefe: Politics before people
The 125th state of Maine Legislature is officially in recess. The Republican-led Legislature was elected with a clear mandate of improving the Maine economy and creating quality jobs here at home. Instead, the Legislature followed an agenda attacking workers’ rights in Maine. LD 1913, the workers’ compensation bill, was a bill written by and for […]
Posted inLocal & State
Maine’s Tree Growth law gives massive tax breaks to landowners big and small
Jacqueline Robbins is convinced that the owner of a 52-acre waterfront parcel in the small coastal town of Milbridge has been getting a sweetheart deal at the expense of other residents. That property owner has paid an average of $3,115 a year in property taxes since 2007. Had the property not been enrolled in the Maine […]
Posted inLocal & State
Maine Legislature divided on LePage energy proposal
AUGUSTA — The centerpiece of Gov. Paul LePage’s energy initiative remained in limbo Friday as lawmakers were set to complete work for the session. The bill, LD 1863, removes the 100-megawatt cap from power generators — hydropower generators in particular — to count toward the state’s renewable energy portfolio standard. The Senate on Thursday approved the […]
Posted inLocal & State
Controversial regulatory takings bill advances
AUGUSTA — The Legislature could soon approve a controversial regulatory takings bill that was largely drafted by a lawyer who could financially benefit from its enactment. The bill, LD 1810, is designed to compensate landowners if a state regulation diminishes more than half of the market value of their property. Proponents of the measure say the bill […]
Posted inLocal & State
Maine House gives first nod to workers’ compensation reform
AUGUSTA — A Republican initiative to make significant changes to Maine’s workers’ compensation law on Thursday cleared its first hurdle in the House of Representatives. The bill, LD 1913, passed, 75-71, amid objections from Democrats that the measure would result in a windfall for insurance companies and strip workers compensation benefits for impaired workers. The vote […]
Posted inLocal & State
Maine Senate delivers 1-2 punch to agency deference bill
AUGUSTA — A bill that would allow judges to give less legal weight to decisions made by state agencies has failed two votes in the Maine Senate. The bill, LD 1546, suffered a 24-7 setback last week. On Monday the margin of defeat was narrowed to 18-16, but the bill still failed enactment. The votes reflect recent […]