AUGUSTA — The Legislature’s Education Committee on Thursday torpedoed a controversial proposal by Gov. Paul LePage that would have diverted public education money to private and religious schools. The committee voted 10-2 to oppose LD 1866 because of concerns over the constitutionality of the proposal and the impact it may have on public school districts. […]
Maine Legislature
Posted inLocal & State
DeCoster bill one step closer to passage
AUGUSTA — After more than a year of twists and turns, a bill that strips workers’ right to unionize at a Turner-based egg farm and its subsidiaries is poised for passage. The Maine Senate on Thursday voted 18-17 to pass LD 1207. The mostly party line vote advances an amended version of the bill that […]
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Jailers, case managers cite public safety dangers in LePage’s DHHS plan
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage’s plan to privatize a program that connects people afflicted with serious and often life-threatening mental illnesses with a state advocate could have disastrous consequences, according to opponents of the proposal. Privatization of the program, known has intensive case management services, is but one of several changes included in the governor’s recently […]
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Teacher effectiveness bill passes early hurdle
AUGUSTA — The Legislature’s Education Committee on Wednesday unanimously endorsed a bill that will equip school districts with a new method to evaluate and fire teachers. The bill, LD 1858, was significantly amended following concerns from educators that the original proposal did not provide teachers enough due process and allowed administrators to carry out personal […]
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Lawmakers, family of slain Farmington soldier celebrate new veterans court law
AUGUSTA — Advocates for military veterans on Friday celebrated a new law that establishes a special court and treatment outreach for veterans. The bill creates a treatment court for veterans suffering from drug addiction and mental illness. It was enacted unanimously by the Maine House and Senate and signed by Gov. Paul LePage earlier this week. […]
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Testimony divided on LePage education bills
AUGUSTA — Lawmakers on Thursday heard emotional testimony from parents, students and teachers supporting and opposing two of Gov. Paul LePage’s more contentious education proposals. The bills are two of four initiatives that the administration contends will enhance student opportunity. However, both are rife with controversy. One, some argued Thursday, is unconstitutional. The latter is a […]
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Maine lawmakers to consider changing from presidential caucus to primary system
AUGUSTA — Problems with last month’s Republican presidential caucuses have prompted lawmakers to consider reimplementing a primary system in Maine. Senate President Kevin Raye, R-Perry, has submitted a late bill that would return the state’s party selection process to a primary system. The bill has bipartisan support and Gov. Paul LePage’s backing. The governor last […]
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New LePage budget goes beyond typical fix
AUGUSTA — Supplemental budgets are often corrections to the state’s biennial spending plan and are used to plug a revenue shortfall. Gov. Paul LePage’s $37 million supplemental budget released this week does that and much more. In addition to plugging a recently identified $13 million revenue gap in the governor’s spending plan, it contains a […]
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Maine House supports Clean Election law reform
AUGUSTA — Proponents of the Maine Clean Election Act on Wednesday blasted the Republican majority’s vote to pass a bill that critics say weakens the state’s citizen-initiated campaign finance law. On a party-line vote, the House of Representatives voted 74-66 to enact a so-called “do-nothing” option that simply conforms the law with a U.S. Supreme […]
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Stakeholders split on LePage department merger plan
AUGUSTA — Stakeholders appear divided over Gov. Paul LePage’s proposed merger of the Agriculture and Conservation departments. LePage announced the consolidation plan last year. On Tuesday, lawmakers on the Legislature’s Agriculture Committee began hearing public comments on the actual legislation. The state’s influential forest products lobby stood firmly behind the proposal, arguing that it could […]