Tag Archives: Rodney Whittemore

LePage’s return to budget talks hasn’t broken impasse, but he predicts no shutdown

While the Legislature winnows its list of bills left to deal with this year, talks on the budget are totally stalled. Senate Minority Leader Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, said the same conflicts exist now as have hamstrung budget negotiations during the past few weeks, and that the situation might have become worse since he and other […]

Maine Democratic Party leader will have to fight to keep job

Good morning from Augusta, where Tuesday’s election is already providing fallout for Maine Democratic Party Chairman Phil Bartlett. Outgoing state Rep. Diane Russell, D-Portland, confirmed late Wednesday that she’ll run to replace Bartlett at the state committee’s next meeting on Nov. 20, while term-limited House Majority Leader Jeff McCabe, D-Skowhegan, said he’s considering a run. In a […]

LePage’s confusing exchange on Medicaid expansion

Good morning from Augusta, where today’s round-up starts with a confusing exchange on Medicaid expansion between Gov. Paul LePage and a caller on MPBN’s “Maine Calling” on Monday. The main point of confusion seemed to be around existing eligibility for childless adults under Medicaid, the federal-state health care program for low-income people. Maine is one of […]

LePage, Eves continue sparring over governor’s ‘absolute immunity’ claim

Good morning from Augusta, where Gov. Paul LePage and his attorney continue to claim “absolute immunity” for the governor regarding the lawsuit against him by House Speaker Mark Eves, D-North Berwick. In a legal argument filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court, LePage attorney Patrick Strawbridge rebuffs Eves’ claims on several fronts, many of them centered […]

Upheaval after Scalia’s death poses dilemma for Collins

Good morning from a sleepy Augusta, where state offices are closed for Presidents Day. But American politics were upended with the Saturday death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. President Barack Obama, a Democrat, said he’ll nominate a successor to the conservative judge, but Republican leaders and presidential candidates have said the replacement should be picked by the […]

Maine Democrats to kick off Senate campaigns on Monday

You know the even-year legislative session is near when the State House news conferences begin and the campaigning revs up. That’s happening Monday, when the Maine Senate Democratic Campaign Committee will formally kick off its coordinated bid to win back the upper chamber ahead of legislators coming back to Augusta on Wednesday. But make no mistake, the […]