Maine lawmakers again consider a cap on the number of bills they can submit
Observers in both parties think it’s a good idea, but the Legislature has long been loathe to limit its responsibilities.
Tag Archives: Rick Bennett
Poliquin may have to go through a Marine veteran to keep his seat
National Democrats may have their man in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District: Assistant Maine House Majority Leader Jared Golden of Lewiston said he’ll announce his run against U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin at a news conference today in his home city. Golden, a 35-year-old Marine veteran, is in just his second legislative term and has a climb […]
Maine Republicans: Strike ‘insurance’ from Medicaid expansion question
Several Maine Republicans said Tuesday that the Medicaid expansion question on the November ballot shouldn’t contain the word “insurance,” a concern that was quickly dismissed by a top Question 2 proponent. The group, led by former Maine Republican Party Chairman Rick Bennett, sent a letter to Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap on Tuesday listing the use of “insurance” […]
Republicans send reinforcements for LePage’s campaign against Medicaid expansion
Good morning from Augusta, where a group of Republicans is expected to express concern about the wording of Maine’s 2017 Medicaid expansion referendum on Tuesday, showing that it’s not going to go unanswered in the public domain. Former Maine Republican Party Chairman Rick Bennett, Rep. Heather Sirocki, R-Scarborough, and other elected officials will be headlining […]
Collins, King list what they don’t like about Senate health care bill
Good morning from Augusta. Republicans in the U.S. Senate released their long-secret Affordable Care Act replacement bill on Thursday. It’s far-reaching, proposing a nearly $1 trillion tax cut mostly for corporations and high earners, scaling back tax credits, limiting Medicaid spending and winding down the Medicaid expansion in current law. Early reviews from Maine’s senators […]
LePage administration to ask Trump to OK list of Medicaid changes
Good morning from Augusta, where the LePage administration revved up the news cycle this morning with a letter outlining changes to the state’s Medicaid program that they want green-lit by President Donald Trump. The impact of all of these proposed changes is unclear, but they include premiums and other changes that the Maine Department of Health and […]
How Mainers will mark Day 1 under President Donald Trump
Good morning from Augusta on what will be the first half-day of America under President Donald Trump — three words that I never thought I’d type as a young and only very casual watcher of “The Apprentice.” Here’s your Prince-penned soundtrack. The Bangor Daily News’ coverage will kick off at 9 a.m. with a live blog in which we’ll […]
Maine GOP chairman to leave post at term’s end in January
Good morning from Augusta, where the Maine Republican Party will have a new face at the helm by January’s end. Chairman Rick Bennett told the Bangor Daily News on Thursday that he’s leaving his post when his term ends on Jan. 28. Vice Chairwoman Demi Kouzounas said she’ll be running to replace him. Just about any way you […]
What to make of Susan Collins’ stand against Donald Trump
Good morning from Augusta. All eyes are on U.S. Sen. Susan Collins after her bombshell Washington Post op-ed that said she won’t vote for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. She’s one of only a few Republican senators to make that pronouncement so far, including Ben Sasse of Nebraska and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. The only prominent Maine Republican before her to […]
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 […]
