Posted inMaine, sj-web

Paul LePage joins court brief arguing gender identity not protected in discrimination law

Maine Gov. Paul LePage has joined 15 other states in asking the U.S. Supreme Court to rule that companies can fire workers based on their sexual orientation and gender identity without violating federal workplace discrimination law. In an Aug. 23 amicus curiae – or friend of the court – brief filed with the Supreme Court, […]

Posted inMaine, sj-web

LePage’s proposed child protection system reforms get mixed reaction at hearing

AUGUSTA — A public hearing held Monday on a handful of child protection reform bills revealed strong support for additional investments but also laid bare wider systemic problems that have worsened, in part, because of a continued erosion of social services. Dozens testified before the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee on five bills unveiled […]

advertisement
Posted inMaine, sj-web

AG Janet Mills threatens to sue LePage administration over legal fees

AUGUSTA — Attorney General Janet Mills is threatening to take legal action to force the LePage administration to release $4.9 million owed to her office for legal services to state agencies. LePage’s refusal to allow funds, already approved by the Legislature, to flow to the Attorney General’s Office is apparently threatening the office’s ability to […]

Posted inMaine, sj-web

Paul LePage is out of the hospital and resting in the Blaine House

AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage was back in the Blaine House on Monday after being hospitalized over the weekend, but the details of LePage’s illness or injuries were not being disclosed to the public. In a short statement Monday, Peter Steele, LePage’s communication director, said LePage had been discharged from Eastern Maine Medical Center in […]

Posted inMaine, sj-web

Paul LePage 'resting comfortably' at Eastern Maine Medical Center

Gov. Paul LePage remained at a Bangor hospital Sunday night after “experiencing discomfort” during a visit with family members in New Brunswick on Saturday, a gubernatorial spokesman said. LePage was admitted as a patient at Eastern Maine Medical Center shortly before midnight Saturday, but his spokesman Peter Steele said the governor, who has experienced various […]

Posted inBusiness, sj-web

Paul LePage urges employers to seek repeal of ‘mud season’ layoff benefits rule

AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage is urging employers to push for the repeal of a new law that relaxes work-search requirements for Mainers who experience short-term job layoffs. The new law exempts laid-off employees from work-search requirements in Maine’s unemployment insurance law for up to six weeks, provided that their employers set a specific date […]

Posted inMaine, sj-web

Maine Supreme Judicial Court orders state to expand Medicaid coverage

Maine’s highest court has ruled the LePage administration must file a plan to expand Medicaid, even as it fights implementation of the ballot initiative approved by voters last fall. The ruling Thursday by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court delivers a blow to Republican Gov. Paul LePage, who has steadfastly opposed efforts to extend the public health coverage to […]

Posted inMaine, sj-web

Paul LePage submits bills to revamp child-protection system

Maine Gov. Paul LePage has sent five bills to the Legislature that would dramatically overhaul a child protection system that has been under investigation for months following two high-profile deaths. The most wide-ranging bill has not yet been printed, but an overview provided by the Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday revealed that it seeks […]

Posted insj-web

Maine DHHS denying Medicaid expansion applicants as lawsuit continues

The LePage administration is rejecting applications for Medicaid from people who became newly eligible for the program under an expansion approved by voters last fall, according to documents and a progressive advocacy group that is suing the state. Maine has so far refused to expand the health insurance program, which primarily serves low-income residents, even […]

Posted inMaine, sj-web

Maine DHHS denies applications for expanded Medicaid

Denial letters have started to go out for Mainers applying for coverage under Medicaid expansion, according to documents and a progressive advocacy group that is suing the LePage administration. The Mainers are eligible for Medicaid under a new law that was approved last year by voters, but the state has so far refused to expand the health […]