North to Augusta

Scott Thistle is the State Politics Editor at Sun Journal. As a reporter he's covered politics and various other topics in Maine and Minnesota for the past decade. Feel free to contact him with questions, story ideas or tips. [email protected] thisdog on twitter.

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Gov. Paul LePage promises vetoes for all bills coming from Legislature until they allow people to vote on income tax repeal in Maine

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Gov. Paul LePage speaks to reporters on June 8, 2015 regarding a one-month budget for state if lawmakers fail to reach a budget accord.

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Automated phone call made by Lauren LePage, with Maine People Before Politics, to voters in Republican Senate districts where lawmakers are in disagreement with Republican Gov. Paul LePage on a tax-reform proposal

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State Sens. Garrett Mason and Mike Thibodeau explain their position on a sales tax increase and expansion in Maine.

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This is polling expert Keith Frederick on a poll he was commissioned to conduct for the Eliot Cutler for Governor campaign in Sept. of 2014

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"It is shameful they would use the Maine National Guard members as pawns in their election-year tactics. I will say it again: While I am Commander-in-Chief, I will not do anything to harm the dedicated men and women of the Maine National Guard." – Maine Gov. Paul LePage "I'm sure those Guard personnel who contacted us will be relieved to hear that there is no change and that the Governor will fight to keep the 133rd in Maine." Willy Ritch, spokesman for U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine.

http://www.sunjournal.com/news/maine/2014/05/22/lepage-insists-there-are-no-set-plans-move-national-guard-unit/1538107

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Democratic 2nd District candidates Emily Cain and Troy Jackson agree on issues, offer contrasting styles at Lewiston forum (Scott Thistle/Sun Journal photos 2014)

Primary races are heating up in the CD2 race and Lewiston-Auburn has been a favorite stump stop for candidates. Democratic candidate Emily Cain, a state Senator from Orono and Republican candidate, Bruce Poliquin, a former state treasurer from Oakland were both in town Thursday.

Poliquin is running against former state Senate President Kevin Raye of Perry.  

While Poliquin was at Simones Hot Dog stand, a favorite L-A haunt for stumping pols, Cain was visiting Baxter Brewing Co. -- another fast-growing favorite local in L-A, for those seeking higher office.

In 2012 Raye visited the hot dog stand with former U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine. Snowe was endorsing Raye, her former chief of staff, in that year's CD2 election.

Later Thursday Cain and her Democratic rival state Sen. Troy Jackson of Allagash participated in a forum in Paris, Maine. 

Maine Democrats and Republicans will select their party's candidate in a June 10 primary election. 

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Maine Democrats call for Medicaid expansion as LePage plans CMCC visit

LEWISTON — Maine Gov. Paul LePage will visit Central Maine Medical Center on Wednesday to deliver the news the state is making good on a $183 million debt it has owed the state's 39 hospitals beginning in 2009. The state payment for past services provided under MaineCare, the state's...

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Maine lawmakers Tuesday discussed with reporters a proposal to expand the state's MaineCare program using funds available to the state from the federal government under the Affordable Care Act. Clockwise from top left is Rep. Ken Fredette, R-Newport. Fredette, the Republican Minority Leader in the House opposes the expansion of the program without further debate and study. Republicans have also noted the state needs to provide health care coverage for some 3,100 disabled and elderly Mainers who are eligible for MaineCare but are currently wait-listed before expanding the program to single and childless adults. At top right state Sen. Anne Haskell, D – Portland, said Maine's Republican Gov. Paul LePage should not be in the position to decide who gets and doesn't get health care in Maine. At bottom House Speaker Mark Eves, D-North Berwick, tells reporters expanding the MaineCare system will create jobs and save the state money in the long run. Read the report here.

http://www.sunjournal.com/node/1424316

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Because this one goes to 11 . . . (with tweets) · thisdog

11 tweets from #mepolitics tonight

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LePage calls for special session on bonding bill, Riverview issues

AUGUSTA — On his way to a manufacturing conference in Florida, Maine's Republican Gov. Paul LePage issued a proclamation Wednesday calling the Legislature back to work Aug. 29. In a release, LePage said lawmakers are expected to pass a $149.5 million state borrowing package that...

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Rep. Jeff Timberlake, R- Turner, speaks on the resignation of several Maine GOP officials. Timberlake is a committeeman for the Androscoggin County Republicans. 

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Shots from this week at the State House. 

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Maine budget panel unanimously approves $6.3 billion bill

This story was updated at 12:08 a.m.  AUGUSTA — Lawmakers worked into Saturday morning as they put the finishing touches on a $6.3 billion bipartisan budget that temporarily raises the sales tax while shifting more costs to cities and towns. The budget-wr...

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#mepolitics Clockwise from top: Augusta Mayor Bill stokes speaks in favor of background checks for private gun sales. State Sen. John Cleveland, D-Auburn, speaks on an energy bill he co-authored before its passage. The measure gained overwhelming bipartisan support. The statue, "Wisdom" on the top of the Maine State House as viewed from skylight in the tunnel connecting the capitol with the Cross Building. Sgt. Mark Connor of Lewiston. Leslie Manning of the Durham Friends Meeting House leads a group in song at the Maine State House as they hold a vigil for the state budget. The same day Gov. Paul LePage urged lawmakers to close a funding gap for the state's 2013 budget. State Sen. Mason Garrett, R-Lisbon Falls and Sen. Tom Saviello, R-Wilton, found themselves on opposing sides in a vote over expanding Medicaid. Saviello voted for the expansion and Garrett against it. State Rep. Jeff Timberlake, R-Turner, stands before a television monitor installed at the State House by Maine Gov. Paul LePage that reminds visitors and lawmakers how many days it's been since LePage announced a plan for a balanced state budget. The television and stand it was meant to sit on cost Maine taxpayers $1,480.

All photos Scott Thistle/Sun Journal 2013.