Supporters of a people’s veto campaign to restore Election Day voter registration were obviously concerned when Secretary of State Charlie Summers announced last Wednesday that he was holding a news conference to discuss what his office described as “preliminary findings regarding voter fraud allegations.” The group’s anxiety was partially attributable to fears that Summers may […]
Maine Legislature
Posted inLocal & State
LePage administration: Exclude gubernatorial candidates from clean elections law
AUGUSTA — The LePage administration on Thursday said it’s standing neutral as the state’s ethics commission begins work conforming Maine’s clean elections law following a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision against states awarding public money to candidates facing well-heeled opponents. However, Dan Billings, chief legal counsel for the administration, said the high court’s decision should […]
advertisement
Posted inLocal & State
Summers adds new allegations to GOP fraud claims, critics say timing suspect
AUGUSTA — In a move that critics say is designed to derail an ongoing effort to restore Election-Day voter registration, Secretary of State Charles Summers on Thursday leveled new allegations of possible voter and identity fraud. Summers announced he was folding that ongoing investigation into the probe requested by Maine Republican Party Chairman Charlie Webster, […]
Posted inLocal & State
Work begins on restructuring, shrinking of state planning agency
AUGUSTA — Maine’s new, two-year, $6.1 billion budget includes a proposal to reorganize and shrink the State Planning Office, a measure supported by Gov. Paul LePage. On Tuesday, a special group went to work on fulfilling that mandate, which will be folded into legislation at the end of the year. LePage, who originally proposed eliminating […]
Posted inLocal & State, The Franklin Journal
Political Pulse: Raye’s run all but official
Nuggets from the notebook while wondering when the Maine Senate president will make his congressional run official … Maine politicos long ago concluded that Senate President Kevin Raye, R-Perry, is planning a run at U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, D-Maine, in 2012. It appears word is getting out. Last week the D.C.-based magazine Roll Call published […]
Posted inLocal & State
Political Pulse: LePage’s ‘N.Y. city lawyer’ comes cheap
Nuggets from the notebook while taking a look at Louis DiLorenzo, the labor attorney hired by the LePage administration to assist in collective bargaining negotiations with the state’s seven unions … Democrats and union advocates have taken to calling him Gov. Paul LePage’s “New York City lawyer.” In two press releases last week lamenting the […]
Posted inLocal & State
Potential first-in-nation change gets little attention in Maine’s health insurance overhaul
AUGUSTA — Sweeping changes to the state’s health insurance laws were notable for their partisan rancor. But both parties were silent when it came to the law’s little-known provision that sets the stage for Maine to become the first state in the nation to change how employers can provide health insurance coverage. The new law, […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Maine lawmakers sideline head injury study bill
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine lawmakers will take a fresh look at a bill to study youth sports-related head injuries during next January’s session. Before adjourning last week, the Legislature decided to sideline the bill so the Education Committee can review it next year. The sponsor, Saco Democratic Rep. Donald Pilon, says he’s disappointed with […]
Posted inLocal & State
Political Pulse: LePage back-seat driver in final months of session
On the final day of the legislative session Gov. Paul LePage did something he hadn’t done in quite some time. He addressed reporters. This caught the State House press corps by surprise and for good reason. Media access to the governor has been limited since he took office. Requests for one-on-one interviews are repeatedly denied, […]
Posted inLocal & State
Fireworks law may face local restrictions
LEWISTON — A bill that would allow hundreds of currently illegal fireworks to be sold in Maine could face restrictions within city limits, the police chief said Thursday. Chief Michael Bussiere of the Lewiston Police Department said it was too early to determine how difficult enforcement could be, but he indicated that the city may […]