AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage vetoed a bill Tuesday that could require utility shareholders to bear the costs of audits similar to the ongoing review into massive, unexplained price spikes reported by some Central Maine Power customers. The CMP audit bill was among 13 vetoed by LePage on Tuesday, one day after he vetoed 23 […]
vetoes
Gov. Paul LePage expects Legislature to override some vetoes Wednesday
AUGUSTA — After pondering whether lawmakers will be able to deal with all of his vetoes in a single day, Gov. Paul LePage said Tuesday he expects them to override at least a couple of them. He said legislators are likely to overturn his rejections of a ban on using handheld devices while driving and […]
Veto report: Legislature overturns LePage’s veto on Narcan bill
AUGUSTA — The Latest on veto overrides by the Legislature: UPDATED 4:39 p.m. (BDN): The Legislature has completed its work, at least as far as vetoes are concerned. The Senate took its vote on the final veto from Gov. Paul LePage at about 4:30 p.m. Friday. Of the 33 vetoes considered Friday, 12 were sustained and one […]
Court rules against Gov. Paul LePage; 65 bills are law
PORTLAND — The Maine Supreme Judicial Court has found that a set of 65 bills that Republican Gov. Paul LePage was contesting have become law. The opinion came just six days after the court heard lawyers for LePage and the Legislature’s caucus leaders make their case, with one side arguing LePage had missed his veto […]
Maine’s high court hears LePage case against Legislature’s adjournment
PORTLAND — A set of questions that — depending on how they are answered — could tip Maine government on its ear were heard by the state’s highest court Friday. The justices of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court seemed to be carefully considering both sides as they prepared to give an advisory opinion to Republican […]
Bill to set up vets commission stuck in LePage’s legal limbo
AUGUSTA — A bill that creates a short-term task force of veterans to review and make recommendations for change to the state’s Bureau of Veterans Services is among a group of 65 bills in legal limbo as the Legislature and Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s lawyers prep to duke it out in the state’s highest court. […]
LIVE CHAT: Friday on LePage’s case before Maine’s high court
Join us Friday online for a live chat on Gov. Paul LePage’s case before the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. We will discuss the arguments before the justices with a panel of political and legal experts including Steve Robinson, Lance Dutson and Peter Brann as lawyers for the governor and the Legislature make their oral arguments […]
Arguments filed with high court over disputed LePage vetoes
AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. Paul LePage, legislative leaders, the attorney general and several advocacy groups made their cases to the state’s highest court Friday, submitting detailed legal briefs in a dispute over whether 65 bills are in law or vetoed. The Maine Supreme Judicial Court will consider the written briefs ahead of oral arguments scheduled […]
Paul LePage stance could send another 51 bills into lawbooks
AUGUSTA — A new argument by Republican Gov. Paul LePage that the Legislature adjourned on June 30 — a position disputed by legislative leaders — could result in another 51 bills becoming law without LePage’s signature. That’s the number of bills the Legislature passed and sent to his office on June 30, the last time […]
Maine Legislature to return to State House on July 16 for ‘veto day’
AUGUSTA — The $6.7 billion state budget may be in place, but Maine lawmakers don’t get to clear off their desks just yet. While they plowed through nearly all of the remaining bills on their to-do list last week, lawmakers will be hauled back to Augusta later this month thanks to Gov. Paul LePage’s prolific […]