Michael Shepherd

Staff Writer

Latest

Published
March 21, 2013

Panel tables bill to make Maine gun data private

Republicans criticize the delay, but the committee chair says it’s needed to consider a proposed compromise.
Published
March 19, 2013

LePage’s teacher retirement proposal draws fire

School districts say paying part of the costs will force them to lay off staff and cut other services.
Published
March 18, 2013

Teacher retirement cost-shift foes line up in protest at Monday hearing

A legislative hearing on education changes in Gov. Paul LePage’s proposed budget featured students telling of rising student-teacher ratios and school administrators lamenting what they have already lost or are planning to cut.
Published
March 17, 2013

LePage’s budget shuffle from AG’s office may violate law

A proposal to divert $300,000 from the attorney general to the executive branch may violate state law; the concealed-weapons permits info ban bill is scheduled for a work session Thursday; Rep. Mark Eves, D-North Berwick, is throwing his weight behind a proposal that would crack down on people who exploit elders; Democrats have to admit Gov. Paul LePage has a decent sense of humor; budget hearings continue throughout the week; and the governor will be the guest of honor at the 10th annual Spring Paving Seminar.
Published
March 15, 2013

Maine seeks to change law on youth sexting

The measure aims to punish minors short of treating them as sexual predators or criminals.
Published
March 14, 2013

Out with laptops, in with iPads? Maine schools mull switch

The iPads are cheaper, but some have concerns about functionality issues, including the difficulty of writing at length using touch screens.
Published
March 14, 2013

Maine bill would allow single-gender classrooms

A Sanford school says keeping boys and girls separate can improve education, but the ACLU says it’s unconstitutional and reinforces stereotypes.
Published
March 14, 2013

CanaRx measure draws both acclaim, warnings

Public and private employers urged lawmakers Wednesday to approve the operation of a Canadian mail-order firm.
Published
March 13, 2013

Dems seek ‘sugar daddy’ in liquor, hospital debt deal, LePage says

Gov. Paul LePage Wednesday used strong language when describing the difference between how he wants to pay the state’s hospital debt and how the Democrats would handle it, saying they were looking for a “sugar daddy.”
Published
March 13, 2013

LePage: Democrats want ‘sugar daddy’

LePage heaps scorn on Democrats’ liquor contract plan and expands on his veto vow in a TV interview.