AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage announced plans Tuesday to introduce three welfare reform bills for the next legislative session, which begins in January. Among the proposed legislation will be two welfare reform bills sponsored by House Republican Leader Ken Fredette of Newport. Those bills were rejected by the Democrat-controlled Legislative Council, but will move toward […]
LePage
Posted inMaine, sj-web
FOAA: LePage’s office flooded with records requests
AUGUSTA (AP) — A Maine legislative panel is examining whether to set a deadline for government officials to release documents sought under freedom-of-information laws, but those officials argue it can take months to fulfill such requests because of a bombardment of queries seeking hundreds of pages of records. The Republican governor’s office says responding to […]
advertisement
Posted inMaine
Documents show LePage staff approved $1 million no-bid contract for welfare report
AUGUSTA — Despite telling a television reporter earlier this week he didn’t hire a private company to produce an analysis and recommendations on Maine’s welfare and health care programs, a document obtained from Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s office shows members of his staff, in fact, authorized the expense. LePage said Tuesday that the Alexander Group […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage opts Maine out of anti-smog effort
AUGUSTA — Environmental groups attacked Gov. Paul LePage on Monday for his refusal to sign a petition in favor of tough standards in nine states from which pollution affects air quality in Maine and other eastern states. Governors in eight northeastern and mid-Atlantic states — including every New England state except Maine — have asked […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Sierra Club backs Michaud in Maine governor’s race
PORTLAND (AP) — The Sierra Club is endorsing Democrat Mike Michaud over independent Eliot Cutler in the governor’s race, announcing a yearlong education effort that will likely be backed by spending from the national group with a goal of preventing Republican Gov. Paul LePage from winning a second term, the group said Monday. The earliest-ever […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage touts accomplishments after 1,000 days in booklet
LePage said that the booklet “Moving Maine Forward” shows that his administration’s efforts have yielded real results on his campaign promises like job creation and welfare reform. “Our administration has set clear priorities that focus on creating a more prosperous place for Mainers in the state we call home,” he said in a statement. The […]
Posted inMaine
Lawmakers ax bills on pot and welfare reform; accept human trafficking and veterans housing proposals
AUGUSTA — Legislative leaders Thursday rejected a bill that could have put the issue of legalizing marijuana on the lawmaking agenda for the session that begins in January. Portland voters earlier this month overwhelmingly approved a city ordinance that makes legal the possession of up to 2½ ounces of marijuana for recreational use by adults […]
Posted inMaine
Lawmakers challenge LePage on contract for Medicaid critic
AUGUSTA — Key state lawmakers, including a Lewiston senator, are questioning a nearly $1 million contract to hire a consultant to study an expansion of Medicaid in Maine. Lawmakers also are questioning the consulting firm’s objectivity and why Department of Health and Human Services officials in Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s administration awarded the no-bid contract under […]
Posted inMaine
Michaud says Maine should cancel MaineCare ride contract, get its money back
PORTLAND — U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud is challenging Maine Gov. Paul LePage to exhibit “leadership and action” in light of ongoing problems with a state-funded nonemergency ride program. Michaud is a Democratic candidate for governor in 2014. The $40 million ride program, funded under the state’s Medicaid program, MaineCare, provides rides to medical appointments for eligible […]