Posted inMaine, sj-web

GOP lawmakers cry foul after Dems refuse to reconvene Legislature to address nursing home funding

AUGUSTA — The top Republican lawmakers in both the House and Senate are criticizing Senate President Justin Alfond and House Speaker Mark Eves for refusing to call the Legislature back into session to discuss a highly politicized attempt by the governor to funnel more money into the state’s nursing homes. A day before the Legislature […]

Posted inMaine, sj-web

Maine Republicans adopt new party platform at Bangor convention

BANGOR — Maine Republicans have adopted a new platform that touts the state’s accomplishments under Gov. Paul LePage and highlights the party’s stance on issues ranging from education to firearms. The platform was adopted Friday as the GOP convention kicked off in Bangor. It opposes new taxes, defines marriage as a union between one man […]

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Posted inMaine, sj-web

After tea party uprisings, Maine GOP expects unity at Bangor convention

AUGUSTA — Top party officials are promising unity at the Maine Republican State Convention this Friday and Saturday in Bangor. If the predictions are right, the event will be a much smoother gathering than the two prior conventions, which saw factionalism split the party along ideological lines. The push for party cohesion is evident in […]

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Bennett seeks to unite Maine Republicans at convention

PORTLAND (AP) — After two raucous and divisive GOP conventions, Maine Republican party chairman Rick Bennett is promoting solidarity. Four years ago, tea party activists and conservatives at the GOP convention replaced the platform with one calling for sealing the borders and a return to “Austrian economics.” Two years later, Ron Paul libertarians staged a […]

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Maine GOP says ethics panel’s website falsely creates impression of debt

AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine Republican Party officials are fending off allegations that the party is deep in debt, saying that an inaccurate state campaign finance website has created a false impression that the party spent more money than it had during the most recent reporting period. “We are solvent,” said Benjamin Lombard, the party’s treasurer, on Friday. […]

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Maine Senate rejects constitutional carry; OKs concealed gun permit overhaul

AUGUSTA — A Republican effort to make it legal to carry a concealed handgun without a permit was shot down in the Maine Senate on Friday. The Senate voted 19-14, largely along party lines, to indefinitely postpone the proposed amendment to a bill that would create a statewide database for concealed handgun permits and make […]

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GOP leadership offers alternatives to expanding Medicaid in Maine

AUGUSTA — Republicans who oppose a proposal to expand Medicaid under the federal health care say many Mainers have an alternative: Buying cheap private plans on the exchange with tax credits. But critics say those making less than roughly $12,000 a year won’t receive help to pay for plans on the exchange. According to the […]

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GOP member of government oversight panel wants investigation of nonpartisan staff emails

AUGUSTA — Suspicious of untoward political activity, a Republican member of the Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee is requesting an investigation into emails from nonpartisan State House staff who are charged with providing dispassionate, objective analysis to lawmakers. Rep. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville, presented his request during the committee’s meeting on Friday. He said it was a […]