Maine Speaker of the House Sara Gideon, D-Freeport, speaks during the first session of the 128th Legislature at the State House in Augusta, Dec. 7, 2016. AUGUSTA, Maine — Legislative Democrats quantified their opposition to Gov. Paul LePage’s state budget priorities Thursday when they unveiled an alternative budget plan they call “The Opportunity Agenda.” In […]
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10 ways legislators want to change minimum wage law
A long day of testimony is in store for the Legislature’s Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development Committee with 10 bills aimed at chipping away at or preserving the minimum wage law up for debate. Wrangling over the minimum wage is perennial at the State House, but this year brings a tricky balancing act for legislators, […]
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Maine joins suit against Trump administration over delay of energy-efficiency rules
Maine is one of 10 states and a handful of national environmental groups suing the Trump administration, claiming it’s violating federal law by delaying energy-efficiency standards intended to save Americans almost $24 billion. Six rules for ceiling fans, walk-in coolers and other consumer products that are being blocked by President Donald Trump have been projected […]
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Legislature to vote on bill that outlaws lobbyists lying to lawmakers
AUGUSTA — The Legislature will consider making it a misdemeanor crime for lobbyists to lie or conceal a “material fact” while testifying to lawmakers. The Portland Press Herald reports the State and Local Government Committee voted in favor of a revised version of the bill on Monday. The bill no longer includes members of the […]
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LePage administration says welfare recipients skipping drug tests
AUGUSTA — GOP Gov. Paul LePage’s administration says welfare recipients aren’t showing up for drug tests and that reform is needed. The state requires drug tests for welfare recipients with prior drug convictions who score high on a substance-use disorder screening tool. The state Department of Health and Human Services told The Associated Press that […]
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Bill would make attacking a police officer a hate crime in Maine
AUGUSTA (AP) — A Maine Republican legislator wants to make it a hate crime to single out and attack a police officer. Republican Rep. Karleton Ward’s bill would address those who commit crimes against a person because of that person’s status as a law enforcement officer, firefighter or emergency medical care provider. It would also […]
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Rep. Donna Bailey’s bill would give disabled free access to state parks
AUGUSTA — A legislator is proposing to give permanently disabled people free admission to Maine State Parks. The proposal by Saco Democratic Rep. Donna Bailey would apply to people who have been determined to be permanently disabled by an official body such as the U.S. Social Security Administration or a workers’ compensation board. The access […]
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Gov. Paul LePage issues a full pardon for a dog
AUGUSTA — Whatever his faults, Gov. Paul LePage clearly has a soft spot for dogs. LePage announced a pardon Thursday for a husky named Dakota that had been sentenced to die by an Augusta court for showing aggressive behavior that included killing a smaller dog. LePage said, though, that Dakota was getting a bum rap. […]
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Jared Golden fires back at Paul LePage on ID cards for veterans
AUGUSTA — A Lewiston Democrat called out Gov. Paul LePage on Thursday for criticizing legislative inaction to help provide identification cards to veterans who need them to access federal health care facilities in New Hampshire. “For the last eight days, an emergency bill which would solve this very issue and passed unanimously in the Senate […]
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Lawmakers blast Maine casino bid after lobbyist admits offshore backing
AUGUSTA — A lobbyist hastily hired by an offshore firm run by controversial developer Shawn Scott told a confrontational panel of Maine legislators Wednesday that the firm is behind the 2017 ballot question to add a casino in York County. He also said that if voters pass the question, the firm plans to sell the […]