AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage has promised he would campaign against any lawmaker who opposes his efforts to reduce and eventually eliminate the state’s income tax. But a tax-reform plan being offered by LePage’s Republican allies in the State House falls far short of the governor’s proposal, setting up the possibility that they will face […]
LePage
Posted inMaine
Democrats on Maine taxation committee reject LePage referendum bill
AUGUSTA — On a mostly party-line vote, a legislative committee Wednesday rejected a proposal by Republican Gov. Paul LePage that would ask Maine voters to repeal the state’s income tax by 2020. The proposal seeks to put a ballot question before voters in November that would amend the state’s constitution to prohibit a state income […]
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Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Lewiston lawmaker wants to limit cash withdrawals of welfare benefits
LEWISTON — A Lewiston Democrat is offering a bill that would limit the amount of cash welfare recipients could withdraw on state-issued electronic benefit transfer cards to 25 percent of their monthly benefit amount. The bill, LD 1097, proposed by state Sen. Nate Libby, also would restrict the use of Maine-issued EBT cards to Maine […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage heads to Washington to testify on federal energy policy
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage is en route to Washington, D.C, where he’ll testify Wednesday before to the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s subcommittee on energy and power. The hearing, chaired by Rep. Ed Whitfield, R-Kentucky, will focus on Republican-backed proposals to expedite the interstate natural gas pipeline permitting process and streamline hydropower licensing and […]
Posted inMaine
LePage presents plan to reduce Maine’s welfare cliff
AUGUSTA — A Gov. Paul LePage plan aimed at moving more Mainers from welfare to work by allowing them to more gradually transition from public support as they gain income got a lukewarm reception from an organization that advocates for the state’s poor Tuesday. During a news conference earlier in the day, LePage rolled out […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage moves to cut all funding for defunct Board of Corrections
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage is proposing to slash funding for the mothballed state Board of Corrections in the coming budget — a move that could all but ensure the group’s permanent dissolution. The board has been defunct since 2014, when member departures and LePage’s unwillingness to appoint new members rendered the body incapable of […]
Posted inMaine
Maine jail consolidation debate leaves legislative panel shackled in deadlock
AUGUSTA — A forced marriage that didn’t work out. That’s the way one state lawmaker Wednesday described the failed 2007 effort to merge the operations of Maine’s county jails with the state’s prison system. “I feel like we’re a marriage counselor,” said state Rep. Tim Theriault, R-China. “Thank goodness they don’t hate each other yet.” […]
Posted inMaine
Wind power proponents tout study showing positive impacts for Maine
AUGUSTA — Proponents of Maine’s wind-power industry Tuesday touted a new study showing positive impacts on health and the environment from the industry’s growth in the state. Meanwhile, a bill before the Legislature aims to “dismantle” the state’s wind energy sector, according to those who testified against the bill, also on Tuesday. “This study confirms […]
Posted inMaine
Funding for Lewiston-Auburn passenger train study gets House OK
AUGUSTA — A bill that funds a $500,000 study and plan for bringing passenger rail service to Lewiston-Auburn passed the House of Representatives with little fanfare late last week. The bill, LD 323, sponsored by Rep. Jared Golden, D-Lewiston, has enjoyed strong bipartisan support at the State House as well as the backing of Lewiston’s […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. LePage: Welfare fraud investigations, prosecutions up
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s administration says the number of welfare fraud investigations and prosecutions have gone up significantly. The Department of Health and Human Services says that it referred 81 welfare fraud cases to the attorney general in 2014, up from 10 cases in 2010. It says it has referred 35 […]