The leaders of Legalize Maine are backing the gubernatorial candidate who has led the political effort to keep the state’s recreational marijuana market closed. Every member of Legalize Maine’s five-person board of directors has donated to House Minority Leader Ken Fredette’s gubernatorial campaign, accounting for almost one out of every five dollars the Newport Republican […]
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Some Maine lawmakers push to delay legalization of marijuana sales
AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine lawmakers on Tuesday started discussions about how long to delay retail marijuana sales while lawmakers continue to work on regulations needed to get the industry up and running. A ban on retail pot sales technically is in place until Thursday, but the state hasn’t set up a way for marijuana retailers […]
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Some Maine lawmakers push to delay legalization of pot sales
AUGUSTA (AP) — Republican House Leader Ken Fredette is calling for the delay of recreational marijuana sales in Maine until next year, or until lawmakers approve needed regulations. A ban on retail pot sales technically lifts Thursday, but the state hasn’t set up a way for marijuana retailers to get the required licenses. Meanwhile, the […]
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Ken Fredette announces he is running for governor
House Minority leader Ken Fredette, a Republican, announced he is running for governor in 2018. PORTLAND (AP) — Ken Fredette, a Republican and longtime ally of Maine Gov. Paul LePage, is joining the state governor’s race. The Portland Press Herald reports the 53-year-old announced his run Wednesday morning at his law offices. Fredette is barred from […]
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Lawmakers reach tentative budget deal
Update: Gov. Paul LePage ends shutdown by signing $7.1B budget bill AUGUSTA — Lawmakers hoped late Monday that they had struck a deal that would allow state offices to open as usual on Wednesday. “We’re closing in on a budget deal” that Gov. Paul LePage will sign, said Sen. Nate Libby, D-Lewiston. “The shutdown should end […]
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House blocks statewide teacher contract proposal sought by Paul LePage
AUGUSTA — A proposal to allow the state to negotiate a uniform teacher contract throughout Maine fell short in the House on Tuesday. By an 80-68 vote, lawmakers declined to create a pilot program that would let school districts choose to rely on a contract the state would negotiate with teachers. Rep. David McCrea, D-Fort […]
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House seeks to make lying to legislators a felony
AUGUSTA — Despite warnings it could escalate partisan squabbles into criminal charges, the House approved a proposal that would make it a felony for some to provide false testimony to legislators. Initially conceived as a broad ban on anyone providing false testimony, the revised bill adopted by a vote of 76-70 would make it a […]
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GOP House leader says LePage walking back from June prison closure
AUGUSTA (AP) — A leading Republican says Maine’s governor is walking back from a proposal to close a minimum-security prison in June. Republican Gov. Paul LePage proposed shutting down Downeast Correctional Facility to save $5 million annually as part of his two-year, $6.8 billion budget. A legislative panel expressed support for funding the prison months […]
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Maine Republicans, Democrats at odds in budget negotiations
AUGUSTA — Democrats and Republicans have until the end of June to enact a state budget but both sides see the biggest sticking point as a voter-approved tax on high earners to fund schools. Democratic House Speaker Sara Gideon said a budget should be coming out of the Legislature’s appropriation committee by no later than June […]
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GOP House leader Ken Fredette wants to require private well water testing
House Minority Leader Ken Fredette AUGUSTA (AP) — The Republican leader of the Maine House wants to require testing of private wells that provide drinking water. Half of Maine’s population gets it drinking water from private wells, and the state says it assumes very few of them are routinely tested. In contrast, public water supplies […]