Placeholder bills buy time to finalize details of legislation, but some significant and controversial proposals are only revealed at the last minute.
rick bennett
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine lawmakers want federal waiver allowing asylum seekers to work right away
Current federal law requires that they wait 6 months after applying for asylum.
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Posted inElection 2022, Local & State, Politics
Group submits petitions for initiative to ban foreign spending on state referendums
Protect Maine Elections wants to put the referendum spending question on the November 2023 ballot.
Posted inLocal & State, Oxford Hills
Lawmakers eye ban on shutting off utilities for public safety buildings after June incident in Buckfield
A hearing Tuesday focused on a measure initiated to prevent future problems like one that popped up in Buckfield last June.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, Oxford Hills
Maine senator calls for crackdown on ‘snake oil and fine print’ payday loans
State Sen. Rick Bennett of Oxford calls for limits on how much lenders can charge for short-term loans to hard-pressed Mainers.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Mills makes push for another $30 million for broadband internet in Maine
Weak or nonexistent internet connectivity, a longstanding problem in rural Maine, has been exacerbated during the pandemic as workers, businesses, students and families struggle to stay connected.
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Ex-Maine GOP Chair Rick Bennett backs Eric Brakey for U.S. Senate
Former chairman of the Maine Republican Party Rick Bennett on Thursday endorsed state Sen. Eric Brakey’s bid for a seat in the U.S. Senate. “Eric has demonstrated the kind of principled leadership and dedication to accountable governance that we need in Washington, D.C., and I am proud to endorse his campaign for U.S. Senate,” Bennett […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Rick Bennett steps down as Maine GOP head; may run for office
AUGUSTA — Rick Bennett is stepping down as the chairman of the Maine GOP and mulling a run for governor or other office. The Republican Party on Saturday selected Saco dentist Demi Kouzounas as the new chair. Kouzounas had served as the party’s vice-chair and is a former president of the Maine Dental Association. Bennett […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Rick Bennett to step down as head of Maine GOP
Maine Republican Party Chairman Rick Bennett told the Bangor Daily News on Thursday that he’s leaving his post when his term ends Jan. 28. Vice Chairwoman Demi Kouzounas said she’ll be running to replace him. Just about any way you look at it, Bennett’s tenure has been a good period for Republicans. He took over […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Maine GOP starts citizen initiative on tax and welfare reform
AUGUSTA — Maine Republican Party Chairman Rick Bennett said Wednesday that the party intends to send major tax and welfare reforms it hopes to enact through citizen initiative in 2016 to voters as a single ballot question. Though Secretary of State Matt Dunlap, a Democrat, has final say regarding how the question will be worded, […]