Michael Shepherd

Staff Writer

Latest

Published
April 4, 2013

Earned-income tax break passes Senate

But the close vote suggests Democrats won’t be able to override a potential veto by the governor, who likely won’t see the bill until June.
Published
April 3, 2013

Legislative committee supports amended concealed carry information bill

Information about Maine’s concealed-weapon permit holders moved one step closer to being permanently off the public record Wednesday.
Published
April 3, 2013

Bar public from concealed-guns data, Maine panel says

Legislators back keeping information on individual permit holders private, but more general statistics may still stay public.
Published
April 3, 2013

Marijuana advocates plan protest of Wellness Connection

The Hallowell rally on Friday will protest the company’s use of pesticides and its treatment of workers.
Published
April 3, 2013

Legislature kills GOP-backed capital-gains tax break

The Democratic majority rejects arguments that lowering the tax would stimulate economically beneficial investments to offset lost revenue
Published
April 2, 2013

Oversight panel delays review of Portland charter school

The Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee delayed a decision Tuesday on a review of an embattled Portland charter school until after state regulators consider the school’s license application next week.
Published
April 2, 2013

House Democrats determine fate of two Maine tax bills

The state’s earned income tax credit for low-to-moderate-income taxpayers would double under a bill approved Tuesday.
Published
April 1, 2013

Two rebuked, as tempers flare at union bills hearing

A legislative hearing on bills to make Maine a right-to-work state turns contentious.
Published
March 31, 2013

Medical marijuana group outbids GOP leaders for LePage dinner date

Medical Marijuana Caregivers of Maine outbids Republican Party leaders to win a pricey dinner for four with Gov. Paul LePage; Democrats and Republicans used recent news cycles to drive fundraising efforts last week; Sen. Roger Katz questions whether the State House security screening area is worth the $250,000 it costs the state each year; the Sunlight Foundation, a national transparency group, gave the Legislature’s website a grade of “D”; cities and towns continue to send resolutions to the Legislature opposing provisions in LePage’s proposed two-year budget.
Published
March 29, 2013

Workers unionize at Maine’s largest medical marijuana dispensary

Employees at Maine’s largest medical marijuana dispensary group have unionized, reportedly against management’s wishes, days after a state investigation set off by workers found the company violated state laws and rules.