WASHINGTON — If Maine Gov. Paul LePage doesn’t wish to display a mural depicting the state’s labor history, then the U.S. Department of Labor wants back the federal money used to create it. The department said Monday that LePage violated the terms of a federal grant that paid for most of the mural’s $60,000 cost […]
Paul LePage
Posted inMaine, The Franklin Journal
Political Pulse: The mural, recall politics and pranks
Nuggets from the notebook while vetting a mural conspiracy theory … The mural furor has leaned heavily toward critics of Gov. Paul LePage’s decision to remove the 36-foot piece from the Department of Labor. Even traditional allies have avoided supporting the governor. The president of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce has suggested a compromise […]
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LePage says mural removal timing unfortunate
AUGUSTA — Spokespeople for Gov. Paul LePage have said that the timing of the administration’s decision to remove a 36-foot mural from the Maine Department of Labor was unfortunate. This week, after absorbing criticism from his own party, the governor finally said so himself. Although LePage told the Maine Public Broadcasting Network that he stood […]
Posted inNews, sj-web
LePage: Labor mural removal was badly timed
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine Gov. Paul LePage says his timing wasn’t the best when he ordered the removal of a mural about the state’s labor history from the Department of Labor in Augusta. In his first public comments on the issue, which have drawn criticism from labor activists across the country, LePage said the […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage headed to Jamaica for vacation
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine’s governor is taking a break, heading away to Jamaica for a week. Press Secretary Adrienne Bennett says it’ll be the first break for Gov. Paul LePage since his inauguration in January. She says he’s been working six days a week since then. LePage is familiar with Jamaica. While golfing there, […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Labor mural removal mentioned on Colbert Report
The controversy with the mural at the Maine Department of Labor continues to share the national spotlight with a mention on the Colbert Report last night:
Posted inMaine
LePage’s sudden removal of mural spurs outrage
AUGUSTA — It’s not clear if Gov. Paul LePage’s decision to suddenly remove a disputed worker mural from the Department of Labor was designed to pre-empt additional protests and force the Portland City Council to accept the piece. But if that was indeed the governor’s plan, the effort appears to be failing on both fronts. […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Man faces charges for alleged threats against Gov. LePage
PORTLAND — A 50-year-old Portland man is facing federal charges for allegedly sending anonymous letters threatening to kill Gov. Paul LePage. Michael Thomas is scheduled to have a bail hearing Wednesday on charges of mailing threatening communications. Citing court documents, the Portland Press Herald said Thomas allegedly wrote that LePage was the “devil” and that […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage removes labor mural over the weekend
Editor’s note: Story updated at 1:20 p.m. New material in bold. AUGUSTA — Last week a spokesman for Gov. Paul LePage said the disputed mural at the state Department of Labor would remain there until the administration found a new home. Apparently the administration has had a change of heart. The 36-foot mural depicting historical […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Labor mural may move to Portland City Hall
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A mural depicting the history of the labor movement that was ordered removed from a Maine state office building is going to take up residence at Portland City Hall. Gov. Paul LePage incensed union officials when he ordered the removal of the 36-foot mural from the lobby of the building that […]