PORTLAND — U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud on Friday introduced a bill that would mandate a minimum crew of two for freight trains in the aftermath of a runaway train derailment that killed 47 people in Canada. Canadian transportation officials already issued a directive banning solo-operator crews for trains hauling dangerous materials following the July 6 derailment […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Blaine Richardson seeking GOP nod in Maine’s 2nd District
AUGUSTA — Blaine Richardson, the conservative former Navy captain who ran unsuccessfully in 2012 for the GOP’s nomination for Maine’s 2nd U.S. District, will run for Congress again, according to an announcement from the candidate. Richardson’s intention to run for the office currently held by Democratic Rep. Mike Michaud has been well-known to watchful eyes […]
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Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Collins the only Republican supporting $54 billion transportation bill
WASHINGTON — Sen. Susan Collins of Maine was the only Senate Republican who voted for a $54 billion measure for transportation, housing and community development grants Thursday. The Senate Republicans killed it because it exceeded the spending limits required under automatic budget cuts that are the product of Washington’s failure to deal with its fiscal problems. […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
U.S. lawmakers warn of repercussions after Russia grants Snowden asylum
MOSCOW — Edward Snowden, the fugitive former U.S. security contractor, left the transit zone at Moscow’s international airport Thursday after Russian authorities granted him temporary asylum. Anatoly Kucherena, an attorney for Snowden, said documents were issued Thursday allowing Snowden to live and work in Russia for up to one year while his application for permanent […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage says Democrats are fighting to deny school choice
AUGUSTA — Senate President Justin Alfond’s criticism of Baxter Academy for Technology and Science in the Bangor Daily News last week drew a pointed response Wednesday from Republican Gov. Paul LePage, who told Alfond, a Democrat, in a letter that “attacking a public charter school that provides choice for Maine students reeks of hypocrisy.” LePage, […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine state workers ratify labor deal
AUGUSTA (AP) — For the first time in more than two years, Maine’s primary state employees union has a new contract. The Kennebec Journal (http://bit.ly/13lbMrM ) reported that members of the Maine State Employees Union voted by a wide margin on Tuesday to ratify a two-year agreement that includes a pair of 1 percent wage […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Democrats, environmentalists rip LePage plan to diminish Maine’s role in air pollution cooperative
AUGUSTA — Opposition is mounting to Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s proposal to limit Maine’s role in a 13-state initiative designed to curb the production of smog under the federal Clean Air Act. Numerous environmental groups and legislative Democrats weighed in against the proposal on Tuesday, with lawmakers calling it a “race to the bottom that […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
National Journal: New poll by Democratic ally shows Michaud surging ahead of LePage
AUGUSTA — A poll commissioned by the National Education Association and conducted by a Democratic polling firm shows that Democrat Mike Michaud has moved ahead of incumbent Republican Gov. Paul LePage and independent Eliot Cutler in a three-way race for governor,National Journal political blog writer Kevin Brennanreported Friday morning. Spokesmen for LePage and Cutler criticized […]
Posted inMaine
Liberty BBQ features famed journalist
LEWISTON — The Defense of Liberty political action committee will hold its 2nd Annual Defense of Liberty BBQ at the home of Stavros Mendros on Saturday, July 27 starting at 1 p.m. The headline speaker will be Ben Swann, an award-winning television reporter who has received international attention for covering controversial issues in his fact-checking […]
Posted inMaine
Success of Maine lawmakers varies widely for 2013
AUGUSTA — When it comes to making law in Maine, you win some, you lose a lot. Whether minor changes or sweeping reforms, state lawmakers had varying degrees of success in getting the bills they penned passed into law during the first half of 2013. In all, lawmakers and Gov. Paul LePage offered 1,577 bills […]