The state ethics commission’s staff contacted Rep. Dillon Bates, a Democrat, nearly a dozen times before the unspent funds were repaid.
Kevin Miller
Kevin Miller joined the staff of the Portland Press Herald in 2012 and has worked as a journalist in Maine since 2005. He currently covers state politics, the Maine Legislature and environmental/natural resources issues. A policy wonk, Kevin previously wrote about Congress and federal issues as the Press Herald’s Washington, DC correspondent. Before settling in Maine, he covered state government, higher education and environmental issues for newspapers in Virginia and Maryland. In his spare time, Kevin enjoys hiking, camping, fishing, kayaking, cross-country skiing or doing pretty much anything else outdoors. He lives in Newcastle with his wife, Carissa, and their dog.
Posted inNews, Politics
Legislative committee splits on voter ID, clean elections bills
Republicans are once again pushing to require voters to show a photo ID before casting a ballot and want to eliminate public campaign financing for gubernatorial candidates.
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Posted inLocal & State, News
Tribal-state relations are ‘fractured and broken’ over sovereignty issues
Leaders of Maine Indian tribes tell lawmakers that the 37-year-old federal settlement intended to resolve tribal-state issues has failed and needs to be revisited.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Legislature passes midyear budget with funding for opioid treatment, tuition freeze
The $64 million supplemental budget includes $4.8 million to fund comprehensive opioid treatment for 400 uninsured Mainers.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Critics at hearing say Maine bureau ‘cherry-picks’ veterans’ strong claims for benefits, rejects others
A bill seeks to address allegations that difficult disability cases are turned away, but the Bureau of Veterans Services says it’s just adhering to federal criteria.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Environmental groups to make hard push to reverse Maine’s new solar rules
They say the PUC’s ‘extreme’ changes, which are opposed by the governor for different reasons, will stifle industry investment and were improperly adopted.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
Crowd offers ideas to lawmakers on marijuana sales regulation
Enforcement, taxes, workplace issues and the impact on towns are discussed, as legislators wait to see whether Washington will disrupt legalization.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Bill calls for nearly doubling number of signatures needed for Maine ballot initiatives
The proposed constitutional amendment is one of several that aim to address what some view as the overuse of Maine’s referendum process for policymaking.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Bill to apply 15-cent deposit to mini liquor bottles advances
Supporters say the number of ‘nips’ showing up in roadside ditches or tossed on front lawns is increasing with the popularity of the 50-milliliter bottles.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
How would LePage’s plan to outsource park jobs affect visitors?
Conservation advocates believe replacing the current staff would hurt the visitor experience, but the state says the change comes with benefits.