The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday struck down a key provision of Arizona’s clean elections law in a decision expected to further arm opponents of a Maine law that awards public money to candidates facing well-heeled opponents in state races. In a 5-4 ruling, the court’s conservative majority sided with plaintiffs who argued that Arizona’s […]
Maine Legislature
Posted inLocal & State
Senate votes down authorization of Biddeford-Calais racino
AUGUSTA — After months of hearing aggressive lobbying and behind-the-scenes vote-wrangling, the Senate on Tuesday rejected an attempt to directly authorize a Biddeford racino and a partner facility in Washington County. The Senate voted 15-19 against the authorization, meaning the project will likely go to the voters in November, along with a proposal for a […]
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Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Maine law ending same-day registration challenged
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Opponents of a newly enacted law that ends Maine’s Election Day voter registration policy will outline the reasons they are challenging the law. Opponents plan a news conference Thursday at the State House. They filed a challenge Tuesday with the secretary of state’s office seeking a people’s veto vote on whether […]
Posted inOp-Eds
Despite bumpy start, GOP accomplished much
As the aptly named “long” legislative session lurched toward conclusion – a week after legislative pay stopped, and days after statutory adjournment – it seemed easy to fault Republican leaders, running the State House for the first time in four decades. Nevertheless, after a slow start – punctuated by eight GOP senators publicly telling Gov. […]
Posted inLocal & State
Public pension managers eye bill making risky investment details private
AUGUSTA — Debate may be subsiding over the state’s public employee pension system, following the Legislature’s approval of a two-year budget that contains measures to address the system’s $4.3 billion unfunded liability. But with those reforms on the verge of implementation, the Legislature is poised to approve a bill that would make the pension system’s […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Maine lawmakers off until June 28, but work left
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine State House is quiet as legislators — now finished with a new two-year budget and scores of other bills — take some time off. But when they will return to work later this month they’ll have plenty to do. After giving final approval Thursday to a $6.1 billion state […]
Posted inLocal & State
Legislature poised to repeal Maine’s prescription protection law
AUGUSTA — Maine could soon shed a 2003 law designed to protect consumers from high drug costs and fraud perpetrated by pharmacy benefit managers, the corporate middlemen between insurance providers and employers and pharmaceutical companies and wholesalers. Pharmacy benefit managers are contracted by employers who provide health insurance to process and pay prescription drug claims. […]
Posted inLocal & State
Bill to assist racino pulled after protests; Senate president acknowledges plan ‘would not work’
AUGUSTA — The president of the Maine Senate on Thursday abandoned a last-ditch effort that he hoped would clear the path for the direct authorization of a Biddeford racino and a partner facility in Washington County. Sen. Kevin Raye, R-Perry, confirmed Thursday afternoon that he had submitted legislation that would have sent the racino project […]
Posted inLocal & State
Legislature sends DeCoster bill to committee, carryover likely
AUGUSTA — The House of Representatives on Tuesday concurred with the Senate’s decision to send a bill back to committee that would remove workers’ right to unionize at the DeCoster-owned Quality Egg Farm in Turner. The move came with a day left before the Legislature is scheduled to adjourn, meaning the bill is likely to […]
Posted inLocal & State
Senate gives first OK to charter school bill
AUGUSTA — The Senate on Tuesday moved Maine one step closer to joining 40 other states that allow public charter schools. The Senate voted 21-13 to give preliminary approval to a bill that allows the state to create 10 charter schools over the next 10 years. The bill now heads to the House. Proponents say […]