In the News
SJ: Alfond says LePage interference with Statoil deal hurts state’s image
LEWISTON  — Maine Senate President Justin Alfond, D-Portland, on Monday denounced Gov. Paul LePage’s efforts to derail a deal between the state of Maine and the Norwegian energy giant Statoil. New details of the lengths that LePage’s administration went to unhinge a full-scale offshore wind energy pilot project off the coast emerged Monday in a report by...
KJ: Legislature sends $150 million in bonds to Maine voters
AUGUSTA — Lawmakers on Thursday approved a series of bond proposals totaling nearly $150 million. The five bonds will go to voters for final approval in November. The largest, a $100 million bond for transportation projects, includes $76 million for road and bridge upgrades and another $24 million for developments such as the proposed rail extension...
MS: Education leaders say bond funding needed for outdated college buildings
FAIRFIELD — Maine’s colleges don’t have the space, the buildings, or the technology to train today’s workforce adequately, legislators and education leaders said Wednesday. Standing amid 30-year-old machinery used to teach students at Kennebec Valley Community College, education leaders and Democratic lawmakers touted the advantages of a $149.5 million jobs bond they said will provide a...
MPBN: Dems Criticize LePage Admin’s Smog Proposal
 AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) _ Democratic leaders say a proposal by Gov. Paul LePage’s administration to opt out of some anti-smog regulations will have serious implications on the health of Maine residents. In a letter to the Republican governor on Tuesday, House Speaker Mark Eves of North Berwick and Senate President Justin Alfond of Portland say...
BDN: Justin Alfond and Mark Eves: From budget to health care, Legislature fought for results
Mainers expect results from whomever is leading. The legislative session that recently came to a close in Augusta was no ordinary session: For the first time since the early 1990s, Maine government was divided with a Republican in the Blaine House and Democrats holding legislative majorities. Because of that, predictions for this session were bleak....
BDN: Maine Legislature overrides LePage budget veto, avoids state shutdown
AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine House and Senate voted Wednesday to override Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of the two-year, $6.3 billion state budget, avoiding a state government shutdown and temporarily raising sales, meals and lodging taxes. Click here to read more from the Bangor Daily News.
