By A.J. Higgins MPBN news story AUGUSTA, Maine – Pressure is mounting on Gov. Paul LePage to release more than $11 million in voter-approved conservation bonds. Thursday morning, a coalition of land conservation groups rallied in support of projects they say could collapse as the result of the governor’s refusal to authorize the bonds unless Read More
releasing land bonds
Legislature Gives Veto-proof Approval to Bill that would Force LePage to Issue Bonds
By Christopher Cousins, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. Paul LePage’s blockage of voter-approved bonds, which he has used several times during his tenure in attempts to force his will on the Legislature, received significant pushback Thursday when the Senate voted 26-9 and the House voted 102-48 for a bill Read More
Legislator Offers Deal to Resolve Land Bonds Standoff
The compromise would funnel money to both land conservation projects and Gov. LePage’s heating assistance program. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA – A House Democratic leader is trying to thaw the political freeze on the Land for Maine’s Future program by proposing a bond package to fund both land Read More
LePage’s Investigation of Land for Maine’s Future Would Be a Waste
By The BDN Editorial Board Bangor Daily News editorial At his rant-filled press conference Friday, Gov. Paul LePage said he was launching an investigation of the Land for Maine’s Future program. The governor has refused to sign off on bonds to fund projects that have already been approved by LMF, putting dozens of land conservation Read More
LePage: Stalling Conservation Bonds Helps ‘Poor’ in Battle with ‘Rich’
By John Swinconeck, The Times Record Times Record news story reprinted on bangordailynews.com BRUNSWICK, Maine — Gov. Paul LePage on Monday clarified the reasoning behind why he ordered an investigation into the Land for Maine’s Future program. “Just rumors. When you hear a lot of chatter, look into it,” said LePage, speaking after an assembly at Read More
LePage Says He has Ordered Investigation of Land for Maine’s Future
By Christopher Cousins Bangor Daily News news story Gov. Paul LePage made news on several fronts during a nearly hour-long press conference Friday at the Blaine House, which by now you’ve probably read something about. One of the tidbits we know the least about was LePage’s statement that he has called for an investigation into Read More
Katz’s Bond Bill Would Return Power to the People
The attempt to use voter-approved bonds as bargaining chips violates the Founders’ vision. By The Editorial Board Portland Press Herald editorial ‘If men were angels, no government would be necessary,” wrote Founding Father James Madison. “If angels were to govern men … (no) controls on government would be necessary.” But – even in Maine – Read More
Senator Pushes Ahead with Bill to Force LePage to Release Conservation Bonds
By Christopher Cousins, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — Republican Sen. Roger Katz of Augusta argued Monday that no governor should have the power to overrule the will of Maine voters when it comes to the release of bond funding. Katz has made headlines for opposing Republican Gov. Paul LePage on Read More
Bill’s Supporters Push to Force LePage to Issue Land Conservation Bonds
Republican Sen. Roger Katz, who introduced the bill, says the Legislature will ‘set a terrible precedent’ if it lets the governor withhold the voter-approved bonds. by Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage’s hardball political tactics came under bipartisan criticism Monday from lawmakers who are considering a bill Read More
