AUGUSTA — The Legislature has sent Gov. Paul LePage a bill that would move Maine back to a statewide presidential primary in 2020. It’s a move LePage has said he supports, but at least a handful of state lawmakers are questioning whether all taxpayers should have to foot the $1 million to $2 million bill […]
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State Senate approves county jail funding
AUGUSTA — The Senate on Tuesday unanimously approved legislation providing nearly $2.5 million in new funding to the state’s county jails. The bill, LD 1614, was amended to cover the costs using part of an anticipated increase in federal Medicaid matching funds the state expects to receive for 2016. It does not, however, offer a […]
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Bill to expand state veterans bureau heads to Gov. Paul LePage
AUGUSTA — A bill that adds staff to Maine’s Bureau of Veterans Services gained final approval in the state Senate Monday on a unanimous vote. The legislation, LD 1612, would also provide tuition to the University of Maine and the state’s community college system for members of the Maine National Guard. The bill combines some […]
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Overhaul of Maine tree growth tax credit chopped down by committee
AUGUSTA — Legislation designed to dramatically overhaul Maine’s tree growth property tax credit program fell largely on deaf ears Monday as lawmakers on the Legislature’s Taxation Committee unanimously rejected the proposal offered by Republican Gov. Paul LePage. Among other provisions in the bill, LD 1632, is one that would have excluded from the program, which […]
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Committee splits on pay increase for Maine governors
AUGUSTA — Proposals by Republican Gov. Paul LePage to hike the salary of the next governor to $150,000 a year, increase pay for lawmakers and reduce members of the Legislature appeared poised for defeat Thursday. Lawmakers on the Legislature’s State and Local Government Committee split along party lines in a 5-5 vote after unanimously voting […]
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Maine Senate votes to kill estate tax
AUGUSTA — A bill that would eliminate the state’s tax on inheritances worth more than $5 million gained approval in the Republican-controlled Maine Senate on Wednesday on an 18-13 party-line vote. But the GOP victory against what they call the “death tax” is likely to be short-lived, as the Democratic-controlled House voted Tuesday to reject […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Gov. Paul LePage turns awards lunch into political speech
NEWRY — Gov. Paul LePage used a state tourism conference’s typically light-and-happy awards ceremony as a political platform Tuesday, calling for everyone in the room to pass the word that current ballot initiatives — including raising the minimum wage — will have a catastrophic effect on the state. “(Tourism is) a great industry; it’s a […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Gov. Paul LePage to hold town hall meeting in Mexico
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage has announced he will hold his next town hall on Tuesday, March 22, in Mexico. The event will take place at Mountain Valley Middle School, 58 Highland Terrace, from 6 to 7 p.m. The meeting is open to the public. “The town hall meeting will focus on (LePage’s) vision for […]
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Eric Brakey stands alone against bill for big business fund
AUGUSTA — Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, stood alone Thursday against a bill that could set up a new fund with the Finance Authority of Maine to make large loans to businesses hoping to bring good-paying jobs to the state. The bill, LD 1480, sponsored by Sen. Stan Gerzofsky, D-Brunswick, creates the Maine Capital Investment Program within […]
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LePage asks Legislature when it is going to ‘wake up’ on paper industry woes
AUGUSTA — In a pair of blistering missives to State House leaders Tuesday, Republican Gov. Paul LePage charged lawmakers with doing little to help the state’s sagging pulp and paper industry and asked when the Legislature is going to “wake up.” He also labeled Democratic lawmakers as “job killers” and accused them of misleading the […]