Michael Shepherd

Staff Writer

Latest

Published
June 5, 2013

Stokes: Cellphone warrants would cost state $500,000

Maine’s attorney general’s office says that a bill that would require police to get warrants to collect cellphone records could cost $500,000 over the next several years, but proponents say that number may be inflated.
Published
June 5, 2013

Maine House gives redistricting plan initial OK

The Maine House of Representatives easily gave initial approval to a new redistricting plan for the Legislature on Wednesday, but an independent Knox County lawmaker complained that he was “gerrymandered” under the plan.
Published
June 4, 2013

Maine Senate rejects bill to allow concealed weapons on school grounds

Retired state trooper’s proposal to allow trained teachers to carry concealed guys next goes to House, where it’s likely to fail.
Published
June 4, 2013

Maine House vote kills bill to elect top state officials

A bill to provide for the popular election of Maine’s attorney general, treasurer and secretary of state was rejected by the Maine House of Representatives on Tuesday, killing the proposal.
Published
June 3, 2013

State Senate OKs online sales tax bill, putting issue before LePage’s pen

The state Senate voted unanimously Monday to pass a bill that would move Maine a step closer to assessing sales tax on goods purchased on the Internet.
Published
June 2, 2013

State House notebook: Republicans wearing out the word ‘welfare’

Also, proposed changes to Maine’s tax system, and gun control.
Published
June 2, 2013

GOP redefines MaineCare expansion as ‘welfare’

Republicans are calling MaineCare expansion “welfare,” stretching the meaning of the word; the Taxation Committee splits on reform ideology; enough Democrats have helped Republicans stop gun-control measures; and Gov. Paul LePage’s controversial TV remained above his office door Friday.
Published
May 31, 2013

Modest changes found in commission’s legislative redistricting plan

New maps for Maine’s 186 legislative districts have been approved unanimously by a bipartisan commission, setting up votes in the Senate and the House.
Published
May 31, 2013

Maine commission unanimously approves redistricting

Based on compromise, their work paves the way for likely passage by the House and Senate.
Published
May 29, 2013

GOP senators kill Dems’ plan to link Medicaid, hospital bills

Democrats’ plan to link Medicaid expansion to repayment of the state’s debt to its hospitals was officially killed Wednesday when Republicans in the Senate voted to sustain Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of the plan.