While the governor said it would primarily affect hospitals and private colleges, nonprofits fought the proposal in the governor’s two-year budget.
Kevin Miller
Kevin Miller joined the staff of the Portland Press Herald in 2012 and has worked as a journalist in Maine since 2005. He currently covers state politics, the Maine Legislature and environmental/natural resources issues. A policy wonk, Kevin previously wrote about Congress and federal issues as the Press Herald’s Washington, DC correspondent. Before settling in Maine, he covered state government, higher education and environmental issues for newspapers in Virginia and Maryland. In his spare time, Kevin enjoys hiking, camping, fishing, kayaking, cross-country skiing or doing pretty much anything else outdoors. He lives in Newcastle with his wife, Carissa, and their dog.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
LePage proposes measure to address ‘welfare cliff’
Meanwhile, Maine lawmakers review a competing Democratic measure that seeks to remove disincentives for some welfare recipients to earn more pay.
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Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Bill’s supporters push to force LePage to issue land conservation bonds
Republican Sen. Roger Katz, who introduced the bill, says the Legislature will ‘set a terrible precedent’ if it lets the governor withhold the voter-approved bonds.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Debate heated as panel tries to craft compromise mining bill
The DEP praises tweaks to the agency’s original proposal, but critics suggest lawmakers are caving in to outside pressure.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Bill expands targeting of out-of-state Maine Turnpike toll evaders
The Turnpike Authority accuses Canadian commercial truckers as its biggest and most consistent toll scofflaws.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News, Politics
Maine medical marijuana caregivers, dispensaries clash over DHHS bill
The legislation proposed by the LePage administration would add restrictions for the 1,700 small caregivers who grow and distribute the drug.
Posted inNews, Politics
Update Patriot Act, Maine’s senators say after NSA ruling
U.S. Sens. Angus King and Susan Collins say reforms are needed to protect citizens’ privacy rights.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
LePage wants to divert corrections board funds to give raises to corrections officers
The governor, who has been sharply critical of the state’s Board of Corrections, wants to use $6.6 million originally earmarked for the board to make the pay for state prison officers more competitive.
Posted inNews, Politics
Maine panel opposes ‘right-to-work’ bill in party-line vote
The bill, which would make Maine the 26th state to prohibit labor unions from collecting dues from employees who opt out, is expected to die in the House.
Posted inPolitics
Maine lawmakers consider taking away wind power’s expedited permits
Critics say a 2008 law has forced taxpayers to subsidize a costly and unpredictable technology.