AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A Maine Democrat’s bill would require hand-washing facilities or disinfectant at areas where the public can touch livestock and other animals. Roger Fuller’s bill is set for a Thursday hearing. Fuller’s bill doesn’t apply to domestic pets and requires signs emphasizing hand-washing’s importance. Fuller says his bill follows health officials’ 2015 […]
Maine politics
Posted inMaine
Maine recovers jobs after recession; aging workers a concern
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The state’s economy is back to where it was before the recession when it comes to jobs, a feat some economists thought might be impossible because of its shrinking workforce. The state has returned to the pre-recession peak of about 620,800 jobs, meaning it has made up the 25,000 or so […]
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Democrats counterpunch Gov. LePage by rolling out alternative budget
Maine Speaker of the House Sara Gideon, D-Freeport, speaks during the first session of the 128th Legislature at the State House in Augusta, Dec. 7, 2016. AUGUSTA, Maine — Legislative Democrats quantified their opposition to Gov. Paul LePage’s state budget priorities Thursday when they unveiled an alternative budget plan they call “The Opportunity Agenda.” In […]
Posted inUncategorized
Congressman Bruce Poliquin hasn't said how he will vote on GOP health bill
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage and legislative Republicans have pushed for changes now melded into their party’s national health care bill. U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin pushed for others at a White House meeting on Tuesday. But with a vote expected in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday and top Republicans ruling out more changes that they […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Collins, King, Pingree urge LePage to drop fight against North Woods monument
Northern Maine accepts the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and so should Gov. Paul LePage. That’s the message from Maine’s two U.S. senators and Rep. Chellie Pingree in separate statements released Wednesday and Thursday. They said LePage was wrong to ask President Donald Trump to reverse an executive order that created the monument and return the land to private ownership or […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. Paul LePage urges Maine utility regulators to resign over solar decision
Gov. Paul LePage uses a model of a home selling solar power to the electric grid during a press conference at the State House to decry a recent decision by the Public Utilities Commission that he says will force Maine ratepayers to subsidize the solar industry. AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. Paul LePage said Friday he […]
Posted inOxford Hills
LePage tax plan pushes Oxford County to consider combining services
PARIS — Representatives for Gov. Paul LePage at a budget forum Thursday night asked Oxford County residents to rethink how towns spend money. The gathering was the second stop in as many days to pitch a plan that would reform the state’s tax system and spending priorities. On Wednesday, the governor presented his plan, which seeks […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Bates professor: Canny strategy fueled Republican success
LEWISTON — Voter anger and dissatisfaction with President Barack Obama did more than big money or a third-party candidacy to elect a wave of Republican candidates, including Gov. Paul LePage, on Nov. 4, a Bates College associate professor said Friday. John Baughman said history and a canny Republican strategy also helped. “How did LePage win?” […]