AUGUSTA — A new Maine law aims to crack down on human trafficking, a problem supporters of the legislation say is growing but often unnoticed. The law (LD 11 59) ceremonially signed by Gov. Paul LePage on Thursday expands the definition of human trafficking to include more crimes that involve the victimization of someone for […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Bruce Poliquin rebuffs efforts to recruit him as Maine Republican chairman
AUGUSTA — Bruce Poliquin said Wednesday that he is not interested in becoming chairman of the Maine Republican Party despite a statewide effort to recruit him. “I’m just not going to pursue it any further,” Poliquin told the Bangor Daily News on Wednesday afternoon. “I’m flattered with the outpouring of people who want me to […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Session ends, but haggling over bonds continues
AUGUSTA — The Democratic-controlled Legislature finished their business for the session early Wednesday, but a bitter partisan battle over borrowing money to fix the state’s roads and bridges remained heated. Lawmakers adjourned after midnight following a long day of votes on more than 30 bills vetoed by Republican Gov. Paul LePage, who has rejected more […]
Posted inMaine
Legislative Analysis: Why it didn’t look like the Democrats were in the majority
AUGUSTA, Maine — Democrats campaigned in 2012 with a promise to end the authoritarian rule of Republican Gov. Paul LePage. That message resonated last November with voters who returned Democrats to majority status in both the House and Senate after giving Republicans control of the Legislature in 2010, the same year LePage won the Blaine […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine Senate Democrats choose Jackson as leader
AUGUSTA — The lawmaker from northern Maine who came under attack last month by Gov. Paul LePage is now the top Democrat in the state Senate. Maine Democrats announced Wednesday that Sen. Troy Jackson of Allagash will serve as majority leader following the resignation of former Senate Democratic leader Seth Goodall of Richmond, who has […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine Sen. Goodall resigns leadership post to serve as SBA regional chief
Majority Leader Seth Goodall told Gov. Paul LePage in a letter that it’s been an honor to serve and that leaving the Senate is “bittersweet.” A special election will be held for Senate District 19, which covers Sagadahoc County and the town of Dresden. The date will be set by the governor. Goodall’s resignation was […]
Posted inMaine
Maine Senate, House pass budget fix
AUGUSTA — The Legislature has passed a bill to fix a $6 million hole in Maine’s two-year $6.3 billion state budget. The Democratic-led House and Senate gave final approval to a bill to raise the service provider tax late Tuesday night. Its fate was uncertain after it failed in the House earlier Tuesday. But lawmakers […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislature ends session with a tension-filled day
AUGUSTA — Political tension that has been building throughout the legislative session went into overtime Tuesday as lawmakers scrambled through dozens of gubernatorial vetoes and other business in an attempt to adjourn for the summer by the end of the day — some 20 days later than the targeted adjournment date of June 19. While […]
Posted inMaine
State poised to review rail safety after Quebec crash
AUGUSTA — State lawmakers moved quickly to review the safety of Maine’s railroads following the recent disaster in Lac-Megantic, Quebec. The Maine House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a legislative order offered by Rep. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham, that could set the Legislature’s Transportation Committee to work later this summer. Also, Gov. Paul LePage issued an […]
Posted inFranklin, Maine, The Franklin Journal
Bill allowing Livermore Falls to vote on leaving Androscoggin County moves forward
AUGUSTA — Livermore Falls voters will have the opportunity to decide whether they want to leave Androscoggin County and join Franklin County, after a late vote in the Maine House of Representatives on Tuesday. After a series of back-and-forth votes and a lengthy floor debate, the House voted to allow the town to vote on […]