AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage’s exploration of a state tax elimination plan proposed by the conservative Maine Heritage Policy Center has legislative Democrats drawing battle lines in what looks to be a State House fight over economic development initiatives. Last week, in an interview with the Bangor Daily News, George Gervais, commissioner of Maine’s Department […]
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Maine Democrats want to keep trying to expand Medicaid
More coverage: LePage sparks debate over expanding Medicaid AUGUSTA — Maine Democrats say they’ll reintroduce a measure in January to expand Medicaid coverage to more low-income residents under the federal health care overhaul. Democratic House Speaker Mark Eves of North Berwick and Assistant Democratic Leader Anne Haskell of Portland on Tuesday called on Republican Gov. Paul […]
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LePage brags that welfare fraud prosecutions are up
AUGUSTA — Maine Gov. Paul LePage says the state is prosecuting more cases of welfare fraud and abuse. The Republican governor said Tuesday that 45 cases of fraud were referred to the Fraud Investigation and Recovery Unit in 2012, compared with 32 in 2011. His office says there were only 10 cases referred to the […]
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LePage signs executive order requiring suicide prevention policies in state departments
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage has signed an executive order designed to boost suicide prevention efforts in Maine. The order signed by the Republican governor on Tuesday requires the state departments to develop suicide prevention and awareness policies. Each state agency will educate employees about the resources available to themselves or co-workers who they feel […]
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LePage signs $149.5 million bond package
Maine lawmakers OK $149.5M education, roads bonds: What’s in the bond package. AUGUSTA — Maine voters will be asked this November to decide how much the state should borrow for roads, bridges and education facilities. Adrienne Bennett, a spokeswoman for Republican Gov. Paul LePage, said Friday that he has signed a five-bill bond package worth […]
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Maine lawmakers OK $149.5M education, roads bonds
AUGUSTA — A $149.5 million state borrowing plan for roads and education facilities is one step closer to the November ballot following lawmakers’ approval of the bond package during a special legislative session on Thursday. The five-bill bond package proposal easily reached the two-thirds majority in both chambers necessary for approval. The bills now head […]
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Lawmakers pass bill that addresses overcrowding at Riverview
AUGUSTA — The Maine Legislature Thursday took the first tentative steps towards solving overcrowding and understaffing problems at the state’s Riverview Psychiatric Center. Meanwhile, the federal government’s Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services approved a corrective action plan for the facility after it found patient and staff safety issues and treatment shortfalls during an inspection in […]
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Vitelli takes oath to join Maine Senate for special session
AUGUSTA — The Democratic winner of the special election in Maine Senate District 19 is joining the Legislature for a special session. Republican Gov. Paul LePage swore in Democratic Sen. Eloise Vitelli of Arrowsic on Thursday morning. Vitelli won the election Tuesday to fill a seat left vacant by the resignation of Democratic Sen. Seth […]
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LePage wants Democrats to cap bond package at $150 million
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage said Wednesday that he and legislative leaders are “all pretty much in the same place” on the importance of what has been a contentious bond package following a meeting in Senate President Justin Alfond’s office Wednesday morning. LePage told reporters that he will support a borrowing package of up to […]
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LePage says he kept department heads from hearing
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage on Wednesday said he barred his department chiefs from making themselves available at a Tuesday meeting of the Appropriations Committee. “The state is not going to be run by committees, it’s going to be run by the chief executive of the state,” LePage told reporters outside the State House. LePage […]