LEWISTON — Since 2011, the number of mental health records reported to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System has increased dramatically, helping block the sale of firearms to people with serious mental health concerns. But many states, including Maine, have failed to significantly change their laws to require more reporting to NICS. And now, some […]
LePage
Posted inMaine
Arguments filed with high court over disputed LePage vetoes
AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. Paul LePage, legislative leaders, the attorney general and several advocacy groups made their cases to the state’s highest court Friday, submitting detailed legal briefs in a dispute over whether 65 bills are in law or vetoed. The Maine Supreme Judicial Court will consider the written briefs ahead of oral arguments scheduled […]
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Posted inLewiston-Auburn
One hundred farms to participate in Open Farm Day on Sunday
LEWISTON ? Locally grown foods, a first-hand look at farming and agriculture, and fun and games for those of all ages could only mean one thing: the 26th Annual Maine Open Farm Day is coming. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 26, approximately 100 family farms across the state will be opening their […]
Posted inMaine
Whimper, not bang, ends 2015 Maine lawmaking session
Happy clapping Maine Senate. Posted by Scott Thistle on Thursday, July 16, 2015 AUGUSTA — An often tumultuous first half of the 127th Maine legislative session came to a nondramatic close Thursday more than six months after it started — making it one of the longest in recent state history. Beyond a smattering of official […]
Posted inMaine
Land for Maine’s Future bonds put Jonathan LaBonte in tough spot
AUGUSTA — Auburn Mayor Jonathan LaBonte, former executive director of the Androscoggin Land Trust and a well-known supporter of land conservation, is in a seemingly tough spot these days. LaBonte, who left the land trust in 2014 to become the director of Gov. Paul LePage’s Office of Policy and Management, is now responsible for scrutinizing […]
Posted inMaine
As Maine Legislature returns for final day, outcomes remain uncertain
AUGUSTA — As top legislative leaders pushed to bring to a close one of the longest lawmaking sessions in the past 24 years, some — including House Minority Leader Rep. Ken Fredette, R-Newport — were pushing for a few more days. Rob Poindexter, a spokesman for Fredette, spoke earlier this week about “pumping the brakes” […]
Posted inMaine
Cartoonist’s son accepts Paul LePage’s apology, says he wasn’t offended
AUGUSTA — Republican Gov. Paul LePage issued a handwritten apology to the son of a Bangor newspaper cartoonist who LePage quipped he would like to shoot. LePage made the comment to Nick Danby, the son of Bangor Daily News cartoonist George Danby, during a question and answer period at Dirigo Boys State in June. Earlier […]
Posted inMaine
Paul LePage stance could send another 51 bills into lawbooks
AUGUSTA — A new argument by Republican Gov. Paul LePage that the Legislature adjourned on June 30 — a position disputed by legislative leaders — could result in another 51 bills becoming law without LePage’s signature. That’s the number of bills the Legislature passed and sent to his office on June 30, the last time […]
Posted inMaine
Paul LePage argues Maine Legislature adjourned but experts disagree
AUGUSTA — Pundits and experts Wednesday were scratching their heads over why Republican Gov. Paul LePage didn’t sign or veto a set of 19 bills when the Legislature took a break at the end of June. A number of lawmakers and others say the bills became law without LePage’s signature because he failed to act […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Oxford Hills
Land trusts buy 800 acres on Crooked River
Local land trusts have signed a $1.37 million agreement to conserve roughly 800 acres along Crooked River, the largest tributary to Sebago Lake, the drinking water source for the greater Portland area. On Tuesday, CLT Co. President Robert Carlson, 89, of Harrison signed quitclaim deeds with the Western Foothills and Loon Echo land trusts, retaining the land […]