How LePage — and his veto pen — remade Maine politics

6 years ago

Gov. Paul LePage’s legacy as Maine’s 74th governor will be complex and varied, ranging from his conservative accomplishments to verbal explosions that put Maine in a negative national light.

But while his mouth has attracted most of the attention, there is no denying that his use of the veto pen will cement his place in the history books.

With three of his four terms spent as Democrats held legislative majorities, the Republican governor’s veto became the most formidable weapon in his efforts to simultaneously advance his conservative agenda while thwarting liberal and moderate initiatives. To say he set records is an understatement.

LePage has vetoed 642 bills, but let’s put that into some context.

To read the rest of “How LePage — and his veto pen — remade Maine politics,” an article by contributing Bangor Daily News staff writer Christopher Cousins, please follow this link to the BDN online.