AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage is asking Mainers to reflect on the tragic shooting in Arizona as the nation commemorates the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. In his weekly radio address Saturday, the Republican governor says some people have blamed last weekend’s shooting on “vitriolic political rhetoric.” But he says the fact of the matter […]
Paul LePage
Is ObamaCare good for Maine?
Maine Attorney General William Schneider announced this week that Maine would soon join at least 20 other states challenging the constitutionality of a key provision in the federal health care law. Several local groups oppose the lawsuit, including the Maine Medical Association, AARP and advocates of a single-payer system. But embracing the law has been […]
Readers react to LePage comment
Is it refreshing to have a governor who speaks his mind? Or is he setting a bad example and causing embarrassment to the state of Maine? As with most things, it depends on whom you ask. Gov. Paul LePage’s suggestion that his critics can “kiss my butt” Friday caused a flurry of reaction from our […]
LePage rejects critics: ‘Tell ’em to kiss my butt’
SANFORD — In response to allegations from the NAACP that he is displaying a pattern of non-participation of their events, LePage told reporters today “Tell ’em to kiss my butt.” The Press Herald reported today that NAACP leaders were concerned that the governor declined invitations to a Martin Luther King Jr. Day dinner in Portland […]
LePage requires clearance for policy communications
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage’s attempt to ensure that a consistent message flows from state departments to lawmakers and the press has prompted concern from Democrats that information to constituents could be slowed or stopped altogether. On Monday, LePage’s administration sent a memo to all acting commissioners that communications with the media on policy matters […]
Political Pulse: Naples lawmaker leads in legislation
Nuggets from the notebook while waiting for state Rep. Richard Cebra, R-Naples, to submit another bill . . . Friday marked the cloture deadline for lawmakers to file bills for consideration of the 125th Legislature. Although only 38 bills have been posted online by the reviser’s office, many more — as in another 1,000 or […]
LePage swears in top three officials
AUGUSTA — A day after being sworn in, Gov. Paul LePage administered the oath of office Thursday to three prominent state officials — the secretary of state, attorney general and treasurer. The Republican governor also issued a brief to-do list to the three: Make it easier to bring business to Maine. Fix the looming liability […]
LePage gets to work with breakfast meeting
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine Gov. Paul LePage vowed to get to right to work after his low-key inaugural reception, and he’s true to his word. Spokesman Dan Demeritt says LePage kicked off a breakfast meeting with House Speaker Bob Nutting and Senate President Kevin Raye at 7:30 a.m. LePage had said he was eager […]
LePage becomes Maine’s governor
AUGUSTA — Promising to move Maine toward a new era of economic prosperity, Gov. Paul LePage this morning was sworn into office at an inauguration ceremony at the Augusta Civic Center. LePage, the state’s first Republican governor in more than 16 years, outlined a plan to make Maine more hospitable to business by reducing its […]
LePage to take oath on Wednesday
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A delegation of Maine lawmakers went to the Blaine House on Wednesday to summon Paul Richard LePage to be inaugurated, kicking off a day of events that includes LePage taking the oath of office before a joint session of the Legislature and a no-frills reception. “You have duly been elected governor, […]