Tag Archives: Barack Obama

Poliquin joins new push for firm policy on child immigrants by year’s end

The congressman from Maine’s 2nd District is among a group of Republicans calling for a “balanced approach” around an Obama-era immigration policy. A coalition led by the Maine Chamber of Commerce wants a solution, too.

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 […]

Obama won twice in Maine, but his politics took backward steps

Good Martin Luther King Jr. Day morning from Augusta. Take an hour to listen to a speech he gave at Bowdoin College in 1964. The State House is closed on this federal and state holiday and the Daily Brief is late and short. It’s also the final Monday under President Barack Obama, who will turn his office over to Republican President-elect […]

Legislature slates hearing on LePage mental health facility, but it could be moot

Good morning from Augusta, where the Maine Legislature will hit the ground running with a big hearing next week. But the issue they’re examining may be moot in a big way. I’m talking about the struggle between Gov. Paul LePage’s administration and most of the Maine Legislature over a new, 22-bed mental health facility to […]

It looks like Clinton won the debate. Will she gain an edge?

Good morning from Augusta, where I’m recovering from a late night watching last night’s historic presidential debate at the Bangor Daily News’ watch party in Portland. Nobody in that liberal bastion seemed to think Republican Donald Trump bested Democrat Hillary Clinton. Our crews fanned out across the state captured more diverse reactions. “Who won the debate?” […]

Obama threatens to veto ‘onerous’ Poliquin bill on Iranian leaders’ finances

Calling it “onerous” before it passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday, President Barack Obama’s administration issued a Wednesday veto threat of a bill proposed by U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin that would force the U.S. to disclose financial information on top Iranian officials. It’s linked to opposition from Poliquin and fellow Republicans to the Democratic president’s 2015 nuclear […]

Democratic VP hopeful Tim Kaine to hold Maine fundraiser

Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine of Virginia will be in Maine for a private fundraiser on Thursday, according to Hillary Clinton’s campaign. A campaign spokeswoman confirmed the event on Wednesday, but she didn’t have a location or other details. Kaine, a U.S. senator, won’t appear publicly. However, three Democratic sources said the fundraiser will be […]

LePage targets hybrid, electric cars in ‘free ride’ gas tax discussion

Good morning from Augusta, where Gov. Paul LePage targeted ways to ensure drivers of electric cars are contributing their fair share to the cost of maintaining roads on Tuesday. LePage’s comments came during his weekly radio appearance on WVOM amid a discussion about a trip to Boston the governor has scheduled next week on the expansion […]