AUGUSTA — Opposition is mounting to Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s proposal to limit Maine’s role in a 13-state initiative designed to curb the production of smog under the federal Clean Air Act. Numerous environmental groups and legislative Democrats weighed in against the proposal on Tuesday, with lawmakers calling it a “race to the bottom that […]
politics
Posted inMaine, sj-web
National Journal: New poll by Democratic ally shows Michaud surging ahead of LePage
AUGUSTA — A poll commissioned by the National Education Association and conducted by a Democratic polling firm shows that Democrat Mike Michaud has moved ahead of incumbent Republican Gov. Paul LePage and independent Eliot Cutler in a three-way race for governor,National Journal political blog writer Kevin Brennanreported Friday morning. Spokesmen for LePage and Cutler criticized […]
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Posted inMaine
Liberty BBQ features famed journalist
LEWISTON — The Defense of Liberty political action committee will hold its 2nd Annual Defense of Liberty BBQ at the home of Stavros Mendros on Saturday, July 27 starting at 1 p.m. The headline speaker will be Ben Swann, an award-winning television reporter who has received international attention for covering controversial issues in his fact-checking […]
Posted inMaine
Success of Maine lawmakers varies widely for 2013
AUGUSTA — When it comes to making law in Maine, you win some, you lose a lot. Whether minor changes or sweeping reforms, state lawmakers had varying degrees of success in getting the bills they penned passed into law during the first half of 2013. In all, lawmakers and Gov. Paul LePage offered 1,577 bills […]
Posted inOp-Eds
Who will miss the filibuster?
In a gridlocked Congress, there’s finally reason for a small celebration. Senate Republicans ended their obstruction of President Obama’s nominations to key federal posts when faced with the “nuclear option” of abolishing filibusters. Credit Harry Reid, the rarely decisive majority leader, with forcing Republicans’ hands. They had blocked nominees to the Department of Labor and […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Analysis: LePage raises taxes on wealthiest in budget he opposed for its tax increases
Learn About Tableau Gov. Paul LePage railed against the two-year state budget that took effect July 1 for a number of reasons. Chiefly, though, the Republican governor vehemently objected to the budget’s temporary sales, meals and lodging tax hikes. “I don’t know how you recover from a tax increase when you’re one of the worst […]
Posted inMaine
Maine Republicans to choose new leaders Saturday
AUGUSTA — The Republican State Committee will gather in Augusta on Saturday to choose new leaders after the recent resignations of its chairman and vice chairman. At least three people are interested in the positions, including former Senate President Rick Bennett of Oxford, former Rep. Jonathan McKane of Newcastle and former Maine House candidate Sam […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
LePage says latest unemployment numbers show his policies are working
AUGUSTA — Republican Gov. Paul LePage touted the fact that Maine’s unemployment rate in June remained at 6.8 percent, which is the lowest since the recession struck in November 2008, as an indication that his fiscal policies are boosting Maine’s private sector. LePage said new data show the unemployment rate stood at 6.8 percent in […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
U.S. Senate reaches deal on student loan rates
WASHINGTON — A bipartisan compromise on student loans promises better deals for students and parents over the next few years but could spell higher rates if it gets more expensive for the government to borrow money as expected. The Senate deal shifts decisions on interest rates from the whims of Congress to the financial markets […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine asks railroads how they keep parked trains stationary
AUGUSTA — State officials seeking to prevent another runaway train like that which devastated a Quebec town have queried five state rail haulers to see how they keep parked trains stationary, Gov. Paul LePage announced Wednesday. Maine Department of Transportation Commissioner David Bernhardt sent the letter as a first step toward having Maine railroad companies […]