A legislative committee completed a sweeping rewrite of Maine’s recreational marijuana law Thursday that would double the tax rate, provide a cut to host towns and give Maine residents a two-year head start in the market. But committee leaders are worried that the LePage administration will scuttle the bill, either through an outright veto or […]
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Lawmakers add, cut and tweak Maine’s law for recreational marijuana
Daniel Walker, an attorney for Wellness Connection of Maine, testifies during Tuesday’s hearing by the Marijuana Legalization Implementation Committee. State lawmakers overhauled the rewrite of Maine’s recreational pot law Wednesday, nixing drive-ups, internet sales and home delivery, and giving current residents and medical growers a “leg up” in the new market. The legislative committee writing […]
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Maine fails to comply with decree to improve treatment of mentally ill
An isolation cell in the Maine State Prison in Warren.Teacher Mike Lokuta works with a student in the mental health unit of the Maine State Prison in Warren.James Staples being led from the courtroom at the Capital Judicial Center in Augusta. In April, while incarcerated at the Maine State Prison’s Intensive Mental Health Unit in Warren, […]
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Public weighs in on marijuana regulations
Paul T. McCarrier, of Legalize Maine, testifies Tuesday during a hearing of the Joint Select Committee on Marijuana Legalization Implementation at the State House in Augusta. AUGUSTA — Lawmakers heard a familiar chorus of impassioned concerns about license preferences, tax rates and local control at an emotional, standing-room-only hearing on a proposed rewrite of Maine’s […]
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Paul LePage says greedy lumber companies driving up prices
Maine Governor Paul LePage talks with reporters at a meeting of New England governors and Eastern Canadian premiers in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island on Monday, Aug. 28, 2017. LePage has proposed sending a letter from premiers and governors in support of exemptions on softwood lumber duties in the ongoing trade battle that impacts the region. […]
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Ex-Maine Gov. Baldacci says he'd consider another run
PORTLAND (AP) — Former Maine Democratic Gov. John Baldacci says he would seriously mull another run for governor if he has concerns with the field of candidates. Baldacci on a Thursday radio appearance said he could consider entering the race if he doesn’t see enough “moderation” or bipartisan spirit among candidates. So far, 15 candidates, […]
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Paul LePage calling special session over food sovereignty law
AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine Gov. Paul LePage says he’s calling lawmakers back to Augusta over the food sovereignty law. LePage told legislative leaders in a letter dated Tuesday that a special session is necessary before the law takes effect on Nov. 1 because of objections from the federal government. The law allows for local regulation […]
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Maine Senate assistant leader Cushing disputes ethics accusation
AUGUSTA (AP) — A leading Republican lawmaker is pushing back against the latest accusation of ethics violations involving his campaign and leadership political action committee. The Maine Democratic Party said Tuesday that Assistant Senate Leader Andre Cushing sent a save-the-date email promoting his leadership PAC’s August event before the legislative session officially ended Aug. 2. […]
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Paul LePage names new press secretary
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage appointed a new press secretary Tuesday. Julie Rabinowitz, the Maine Labor Department’s director of policy, operations and communication, will start in the new role on Sept. 5. “Julie has worked closely with our communications team and our policy advisers in her role at the Labor Department, and I am looking […]
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OPEGA report finds lack of accountability for Pine Tree Development zones
AUGUSTA (AP) — A report suggests a program created by then-Maine Gov. John Baldacci to spur development in economically depressed areas is not helping much. Some lawmakers want to scrap the program. The Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability says the Pine Tree Development Zone program lacks accountability to assess its true capacity to […]