AUGUSTA — State Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, is hoping to pass a bill that would allow spouses and children of active-duty military personnel free access to Maine’s state parks. Brakey’s bill would expand a program that allows active-duty military members free access to the parks but doesn’t allow family members to have access without the […]
state
BFA: Bingham property could be given to state
BETHEL — The Bingham Forest Authority voted to recommend to Bethel selectmen to go to court to determine if the BFA has the right to use the Daisy Bryant Road to access the 2,300-acre Bingham Forest. “If the judge says ‘no,’ we’re filing papers with the state of Maine (to give the land to the […]
Legislature passes bill that removes permit requirement for concealed guns
AUGUSTA — A bill that removes Maine’s requirement that those carrying a concealed handgun first obtain a permit from law enforcement to do so passed the state Senate on a 23-12 vote Tuesday. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, now moves to Republican Gov. Paul LePage, who will have 10 days to veto […]
Class C baseball championship: Saints no underdog, but they wear label well
AUBURN — Not many high school baseball teams knock off the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds in a region to reach a state championship game. We know Saint Dominic Academy has never done it in a baker’s dozen years of excellence under the watchful eyes of Coach Bob Blackman, because, well, the Saints are always […]
Maine budget in full stall as lawmakers grapple for compromise
On Thursday, LePage again turned up the heat by going public about his displeasure with the state Senate’s Republican majority leadership. During an hourlong radio chat Thursday morning, LePage blasted Senate Republicans, again accusing them of siding with House Democrats in stymieing his efforts to lower and eventually eliminate Maine’s income tax. “The conflict is this,” […]
LePage joins call for constitutional amendment to balance federal budget
AUGUSTA — Flanked by Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Gov. Paul LePage said Thursday he would push Maine lawmakers to pass a resolution urging Congress to create an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would require the federal government to maintain a balanced budget. LePage and Kasich, both Republicans, said the issue of balancing the federal […]
Class A State Cheering Championships: Lewiston is back, with seventh title
AUGUSTA — Lewiston cheering has borne the burden of building and maintaining a dynasty at the conference, regional, state and New England levels. One pressure the Blue Devils hadn’t experienced in that steady climb and lengthy stay atop the pyramid: Redemption. They wore that motivation mind-bogglingly well Saturday. Lewiston erased the memories of last year’s […]
Local lawmakers offering mixed reactions to LePage address
AUGUSTA — In reaction to Gov. Paul LePage’s State of the State address Tuesday, both Democrats and Republicans seemed to be keeping open minds to a pending budget proposal that many said is “bold and visionary.” Democrats, including state Rep. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, were more reserved in their praise of LePage but still offered an […]
As winter storm Juno wallops Maine, LePage declares state of emergency
AUGUSTA – Maine Gov. Paul LePage urged residents to stay off the roads and hunker down Tuesday as winter storm Juno whipped across the state causing blizzard conditions and flooding along the coastline. LePage also announced all state offices would be closed Tuesday. LePage made the official declaration at about 4:30 a.m. Many schools and […]
LePage budget plan reforms Maine tax policy
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage on Friday made good on his promise to “go after” Maine income taxes in his next two-year budget. LePage’s 2016-17 spending plan for state government includes sweeping reforms to Maine’s tax policy, dramatically changing the sources of state revenue from the income tax to a broader and higher sales tax. The […]