Organized labor packs hearing rooms to defend unions as LePage officials argue to make paying dues optional in order to improve Maine’s business competitiveness.
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
Maine legislative committee opposes concealed-gun bill in party-line vote
The bill, which appears to have broad support in the full Legislature, would allow legal gun owners to carry concealed handguns without obtaining permits.
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Posted inPolitics
Groups push to add pregnant women in chemical reviews
But DEP officials warn doing so would create a financial burden and uncertainty for businesses.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Committee backs bill to require payback for General Assistance fraud
Mainers who get benefits fraudulently would have to pay back the money or make repayment plans before they could receive further welfare benefits.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine lawmakers reject bill to bar alewives from upper St. Croix River
Guides and sporting camp owners in the Grand Lake Stream area want to block alewives, for fear that the sea-run fish will harm the important smallmouth bass fishery.
Posted inPolitics
Groups petition Maine regulators to reconsider Efficiency Maine cuts
Two conservation organizations and a contractors’ group say the PUC should have considered legislative intent when it decided to reduce funding to a program that promotes energy efficiency.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
LePage fights cities’ efforts to set their own minimum wages
The governor supports a bill that would prohibit Maine cities and towns from setting rates.
Posted inNews, Politics
Maine mayors say state-local partnership has ‘eroded’ under LePage
The mayors, including Portland Mayor Michael Brennan, signal support for a budget deal that would broaden the sales tax but raise concerns about cuts to municipal revenue sharing.
Posted inNews, Politics
LePage announces new legal counsel, policy advisers
Cynthia Montgomery fills a position left vacant when former chief legal counsel Carlisle McLean was appointed to the Maine Public Utilities Commission in February.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Latest dispute over alewives in St. Croix River may lead to independent review
The LePage administration is proposing a working group to examine the scientific arguments over the fish.