AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Sponsors of three bills to cut back the size of the Maine Legislature say it’s time for the state to economize as lawmakers ask others to do the same. Republican and Democratic lawmakers say Maine has one of the smallest state populations, but the 10th largest legislature. They see their bills […]
Maine Legislature
Posted inMaine, The Franklin Journal
Political Pulse: LePage spokesman had many enemies
Political analysts have cited a number of factors contributing to Paul LePage’s victory in the 2010 gubernatorial race. But among the prevailing conventional wisdom that followed Election Day, a number of people credited one person with helping prevent the incendiary candidate from losing the election: Dan Demeritt. Demeritt joined the campaign in the fall, at […]
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Bill briefs: A rundown of tri-county delegation highlights
Here is a list of highlights sponsored by tri-county delegation lawmakers in bills 851-950. * Sen. Margaret Craven, D-Lewiston, has a bill that would create a task force to review ways to deal with a projected increase in Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses. The task force in LD 859 would report its findings and suggest […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine bills target cyber bullying
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Cyber bullying is being targeted by a pair of bills Maine lawmakers are taking up. Democratic Rep. Don Pilon of Saco is sponsoring a bill focusing on the prevention of bullying via electronic devices. It would require school boards to adopt policies on cyber bullying and include a procedure to report […]
Posted inMaine
Tobacco, racino advocates, turnpike lead lobbying Top 10
Last month the Maine Turnpike Authority announced that it was immediately canceling all its contracts with outside lobbyists. The move was a response to a watchdog report and high-profile legislative hearings that raised questions about the quasi-governmental agency’s spending practices. Officials for the MTA said eliminating the contracts would save about $27,000 per year. The […]
Posted inMaine
Panel OKs bill allowing concealed guns in State House
AUGUSTA — A bill that would allow concealed weapon permit holders to bring their handguns into the State House and nearby areas has won approval from the Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. The panel voted 7-4 last week to pass an amended version of LD 692, a bill sponsored by Rep. Dale Crafts, […]
Posted inMaine
Bill briefs: A rundown of tri-county delegation bills
Here is a list of highlights sponsored by tri-county lawmakers in bills 751 through 850. * Rep. Stephen Wood, R-Sabattus, has a bill that would require school districts to report legal disputes between districts and parents of students in special education programs to the state Department of Education. LD 775 also requires the DOE chief […]
Posted inMaine
Debate hot over repeal overtime at DeCoster egg farm
AUGUSTA — Francisco Gonzalez is a supervisor at the DeCoster-owned Quality Egg farm in Turner. He says he works between 70 and 80 hours a week. Gonzalez said Friday that he was asked by management to tell the Legislature’s Labor Committee about his positive work experience at the plant. The Lewiston resident said he was […]
Posted inMaine
‘We have nothing to do’: LePage slams Legislature for lack of progress
LEWISTON — On his 100th day in office, Gov. Paul LePage gave his administration an “F.” And his comments before business leaders here Thursday indicated he was assigning a similar grade to the Republican-controlled Legislature. Speaking to a crowd of more than 400 at an Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce breakfast, LePage doubled down on […]
Posted inMaine
‘Don’t add insult to injury’; Auburn cop in 1984 child murder testifies against workers’ comp change
AUGUSTA — Bill Fournier’s testimony to the Legislature’s Labor Committee on Wednesday was slow and deliberate. As the former Auburn police officer described the gruesome scene he encountered at an Auburn tenement in 1984, Fournier’s words emerged intermittently, as if stopping to steady themselves from the emotions that still rock the former cop 27 years […]