2 weeks ago

Jared Kushner dismisses concerns raised by Maine native about White House security clearances

Presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner on Monday dismissed concerns raised by a whistleblower about the White House’s security clearance process, saying President Donald Trump’s administration has faced “a lot of crazy accusations” during the past two years.

2 weeks ago

Under Mills, Maine is watching a regional effort to curb transportation emissions

Good morning from Augusta. After the inauguration of Gov. Janet Mills, Maine has been participating in -- but has not formally joined -- a regional effort that could produce a cap-and-trade system aimed at lowering vehicle emissions, the region’s largest source of carbon pollution.

2 weeks ago

Maine native suspended from White House job says 25 security clearance denials were reversed during Trump administration

A White House whistleblower told lawmakers that more than two-dozen denials for security clearances have been overturned during the Trump administration, calling Congress her “last hope” for addressing what she considers improper conduct that has left the nation’s secrets exposed.

2 weeks ago

Susan Collins goes to bat for parts of Affordable Care Act

Maine’s senior senator is arguing that the president is taking the wrong approach in his latest effort to kill his predecessor’s signature health care plan.

3 weeks ago

Maine GOP leaders launch a grassroots group to punch back at progressives

Good morning from Augusta. The top officials in the Maine Republican Party formed a new nonprofit group last month that looks to be aimed at grassroots work after the chair won re-election in January promising to form an alternative to the liberal Maine People’s Alliance.

3 weeks ago

Angus King joins Republicans to reject Green New Deal resolution

Republican Sen. Susan Collins and independent Sen. Angus King voted Tuesday to reject the non-binding resolution known as the Green New Deal. Democrats characterized the vote, brought forward by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, as a GOP ploy to capitalize on retracted documents that aren’t part of the proposal.

3 weeks ago

Without the revenue they want from Mills’ budget, Maine cities and towns renew push for local sales tax

Good morning from Augusta. Proposals to allow Maine cities and towns to enshrine local-option sales taxes have momentum in 2019, but they’re facing the same problems that have stopped them in the past amid opposition from business groups and some progressives.

3 weeks ago

LePage found a way to create a state police motorcycle unit ‘out of nowhere’

A small, new Maine State Police motorcycle unit that began with an “out of nowhere” request from former Gov. Paul LePage nearly a year ago will be rolled out formally in April.

3 weeks ago

Janet Mills signs bill to protect hemp producers from confusion with marijuana

Maine’s governor has signed a bill designed to make clear that production and sale of hemp-derived food products are allowable in the state.

3 weeks ago

LePage pardoned his late mentor’s grandson in closing days of his administration

Former Maine Gov. Paul LePage pardoned his late mentor's grandson in the final days of his second four-year term, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press that detail pardons for crimes including drug trafficking, tax evasion and embezzlement of public funds.

3 weeks ago

An early poll shows Susan Collins with a lead over a likely challenger

Good morning from Augusta. The first wide-ranging public poll in Maine since the 2018 election has plenty of good news for Democrats after they swept the Blaine House and the Legislature, but U.S. Sen. Susan Collins is an early favorite for re-election in 2020.

3 weeks ago

Bill Would Authorize Third Maine Casino, Run By State’s Tribes

Maine lawmakers are considering a proposal to allow the state’s tribes to operate a casino, a measure drawing a lot of opposition.

3 weeks ago

Maine’s congressional delegation calls on Barr to release the Mueller report

Maine’s congressional delegation on Sunday called on the U.S. attorney general to make the Mueller report available to the American public.

3 weeks ago

A Trump Republican says he’ll challenge Susan Collins from the right in 2020

A conservative blogger has announced that he’ll run a Republican primary against U.S. Sen. Susan Collins as she approaches a 2020 re-election race promising to be one of the more competitive ones in a year with a difficult map for Democrats.

4 weeks ago

A revived ‘red flag’ bill could prompt the biggest gun control debate in Maine this year

Good morning from Augusta. A so-called “red flag” bill to allow courts to order a person deemed dangerous to temporarily surrender guns is moving forward again in the Maine Legislature and could be an early flashpoint for conservatives despite a past compromise of sorts on the issue.

4 weeks ago

Nick Isgro’s tweets on vaccines and immigration deepen split in Maine Republican Party

Republican leaders in Augusta are taking two approaches in responding to controversial statements made last week by Maine GOP vice chair Nick Isgro falsely linking immigrants to the outbreak of once-eradicated diseases

4 weeks ago

What has to happen before Maine can use ranked-choice voting for president

Good morning from Augusta, where this morning lawmakers will hear public testimony on what’s perhaps the most likely ranked-choice voting proposal to gain any real traction this legislative session: a bill to use the process when voting in presidential primaries and general elections.

4 weeks ago

Maine House gives early OK to replacing Columbus Day with holiday honoring native people

The Maine House of Representatives initially approved a bill on Tuesday that would make the state join several others and a handful of municipalities including Bangor by recognizing the October holiday of Indigenous Peoples Day instead of Columbus Day.