Maine Senate upholds LePage veto of fireworks restrictions

AUGUSTA — The Maine Senate has upheld Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of a bill that would’ve placed some limits on fireworks use in the state.

The Democratic-led Senate voted 20-15 in favor of sustaining the veto of the bill that would’ve restricted the use of fireworks before noon and clarified that their irresponsible use could represent disorderly conduct.

LePage said the proposed restrictions were “heavy-handed regulations” and seek “to roll back the existing legal framework that permits the use of approved fireworks.”

Fireworks became legal in 2012.

Supporters say it merely seeks to give relief to those concerned about firework use. They say they’ve received complaints from veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, parents of small children and farmers with livestock.

The bill faces a final vote in the House.