Gov. Paul LePage has again vowed to shut down state government if the Legislature votes for an increase in the lodging tax, which the governor himself proposed in February and which was resurrected Wednesday by Senate Republicans. That proposal drew fire from LePage on Thursday, who accused Senate President Mike Thibodeau, R-Winterport, of just wanting to “go home” […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Analysis: What to expect if Maine government shuts down this weekend
With no agreement in sight on a two-year budget in the Maine Legislature, the state is as close to a government shutdown as it has been since 1991. Gov. Paul LePage has wide authority to determine which state employees work during a shutdown. While he hasn’t released a plan, he sent a memo to state […]
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Legislature moves closer to budget deal
A six-person special budget committee edged closer to a deal Wednesday afternoon but more work remains before sending a package to the full Legislature for votes. Meanwhile, the clock ticks as lawmakers must pass a budget with two-thirds majorities in the House and Senate and have Gov. Paul LePage act on it by 11:59 p.m. […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Analysis: Today is the day to reach state budget deal to avoid shutdown
It’s the day of reckoning in Augusta. We’ve been giving you updates on the state budget process day after day and ticking off a number of deadlines by which lawmakers must act or cause a government shutdown. Today marks perhaps the hardest deadline yet. The six-member conference committee formed by legislative leaders two weeks ago […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. Paul LePage visits Washington on Wednesday
AUGUSTA (AP) — Republican Gov. Paul LePage is headed to Washington, D.C., as a state budget shutdown looms large back home in Maine. The Trump administration invited the governor to participate in an energy-themed event on Wednesday. LePage’s office declined to provide details. LePage has been fighting to lower energy costs, saying Maine’s high energy […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. Paul LePage: 'We’re going to shut down Friday night'
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage said Tuesday it’s worth putting state government into a shutdown to ensure the two-year state budget lawmakers are struggling to pass won’t harm Maine’s economy for the next decade. LePage, speaking during a radio interview on WVOM, accused Democrats of backing measures that will “do damage” to the state, namely […]
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Paul LePage tells Dems to pass GOP budget or there will be a shutdown
A Friday meeting between Gov. Paul LePage and the Legislature’s top Democrat inflamed partisan tension at the State House and made clear that, even if lawmakers pass a budget this week, state government could shut down Saturday. A Democratic account of that meeting was circulating around Facebook during the weekend, saying the Republican governor told […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
State House efforts to combat drug epidemic gets mixed reviews
AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine lawmakers hope new laws expanding access to the opioid reversal drug naloxone will stem overdose deaths. But advocacy groups say Maine hasn’t done enough prevention and treatment in the midst of a crisis. Drug overdose deaths in the state rose to 376 last year, from 208 in 2014. Republican Gov. Paul […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Bill would give preference to Maine, U.S. companies
AUGUSTA (AP) — A Democratic senator’s bill to give preference to Maine and U.S. companies in state contracts is receiving support in the Senate. Lawmakers voted Thursday to approve Sen. Troy Jackson’s bill that would give preference among similar bids to in-state contractors. Republican Sen. Tom Saviello’s amendment would allow businesses to qualify as in-state […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine voters approve $50 million technology bond
AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine voters have approved a special referendum election to invest $50 million in technology. The proposal asked voters if they wanted the Maine Technology Institute to distribute $45 million in grants for upgrades in aquaculture, marine technology, forestry and agriculture. The Small Enterprise Growth Fund would direct another $5 million to small […]