AUGUSTA — Mary Mayhew, who has served as Maine commissioner of Health and Human Services since the beginning of Gov. Paul LePage’s tenure, will be leaving that post Friday. LePage announced her departure Wednesday in a prepared statement, in which he said she did an “exceptional job” at the helm of state government’s largest department. […]
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Next up for ‘nips’ bill: a near-certain veto
AUGUSTA — A measure to require a 5-cent deposit on tiny liquor bottles known as nips is heading for a near certain veto from Gov. Paul LePage — and possibly a move by him to ban nips entirely, which could hurt a major bottler based in Lewiston. With the Senate’s unanimous agreement Tuesday , the […]
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Gov. Paul LePage rips newspapers in veto of bill that would harm newspapers
AUGUSTA, Maine — A heavier flow of bills moving to the floors of the legislative chambers means more vetoes from the all-time champion in that statistic: Gov. Paul LePage. The House of Representatives will vote on whether to override another five vetoes today, including one of a bill that would actually hurt Maine newspapers, which sit […]
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Republicans say statewide teacher contract could aid rural districts
AUGUSTA (AP) — Bills to create a uniform teacher contract across the state are set for key committee votes. Republican Gov. Paul LePage says such an idea would help rural districts compete for teachers. Bills sponsored by GOP Reps. Matt Pouliot and Jeffrey Timberlake are set for work sessions Tuesday. Pouliot says his bill would […]
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Legislature passes bill to limit PAC expenditures
AUGUSTA — The Maine Legislature has approved a bill that bars lawmakers from paying themselves or businesses they own from political action committees under their control, sending the measure to Gov. Paul LePage for his approval. The bill, An Act Regarding Political Action Committee Expenditures, was passed unanimously last week by the Maine House and […]
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Paul LePage refuses to put up National Monument road signs
Gov. Paul LePage is refusing to put signs along state roads showing the way to Maine’s national monument, pending the outcome of a federal review, state officials said Friday. The governor won’t allow official signs for Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument to be placed along Interstate 95 and Routes 11, 157 and 159 — […]
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Maine to close Downeast Correctional Facility next month
A red pickup truck pulls away from the Downeast Correctional Facility in Machiasport in February. The Department of Corrections says it plans to lay off all guards, relocate prisoners, and close the facility by June 10. MACHIASPORT — Layoff notices will be issued to all 46 employees at Downeast Correctional Facility in Machias, which will […]
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Gov. Paul LePage wants to put the brakes on turnpike tolls
AUGUSTA — Maine’s Republican governor wants to start shutting down the state turnpike authority within the next decade. The House referred Gov. Paul LePage’s bill to the transportation committee on Thursday. The Maine Turnpike Authority would have until November 2027 to remove all toll facilities on the turnpike, except the York toll facility. The quasi-governmental […]
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Paul LePage blames media when asked about Trump’s problems
At first, the Gov. Paul LePage had a muted reaction to the heightening controversy around President Donald Trump when asked about it by WGAN on Thursday. He ended at a conspiracy theory. He said “I don’t trust the media,” then endorsed the Trump administration’s appointment of former FBI Director Robert Mueller as special counsel handling the investigation into the […]
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Lawmakers debate bill to allow wrongful-death suits for fetuses
AUGUSTA — A proposal to allow families to file wrongful-death lawsuits after a fetus dies is sparking disagreement in Maine, where some say the measure is an attack on reproductive rights. Backers of the bill say it’s a way for families to seek financial damages when a fetus dies due to neglect or default by […]