Opponents say it would hurt e-commerce and cause confusion, but backers contend it is needed to protect consumer privacy.
Scott Thistle
Scott Thistle is the State House reporter for the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. He has covered politics and government in Maine since 2006. Prior to that he served as the State House reporter for the Duluth News Tribune in Duluth, Minnesota. A Maine native, Thistle has worked in journalism since 1990, when he got his start at a weekly newspaper in rural Oxford County, Maine. He is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and an active volunteer with the National Ski Patrol. He resides with his wife, Amy and his two sons Finn and Kai, in Auburn, Maine.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine’s highest court rules ranked-choice voting is unconstitutional
The advisory opinion means lawmakers must start the process of amending the Constitution to allow the voter-approved law or repeal it, which is more likely.
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Posted inLocal & State, News
Legislative committee wants answers about LePage plan to close prison
The governor’s move to close the Downeast Correctional Facility in rural Washington County has prompted concerns and rumors.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Committee rejects bill that would set up safe places for using illegal drugs
The goal is to reduce overdose deaths, and some states are trying the medically staffed facilities, but one legislator says Maine is not ready for them yet.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Veto override puts plan for Gorham-to-turnpike toll road in motion
Gov. Paul LePage backs the project but has said he doesn’t want any more toll roads, as evidenced by his new bill to eliminate the Maine Turnpike Authority and its toll system by 2027.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine bill would allow ‘safe injection’ facilities to prevent fatal overdoses
The legislation aims to provide one more tool in the effort to combat the overdose crisis, but critics say allowing people to take illegal drugs raises ethical and liability issues.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
Bill would require permission to sell Mainers’ personal web data
Maine lawmakers from across the political spectrum respond to a federal change that allows the sale of information about what internet customers search for and read online.
Posted inLocal & State, News
LePage repeats wish for death penalty for drug dealers
During a radio interview from Florida, he also said he’s ‘all in’ supporting a bill that could lead to manslaughter charges for dealers.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine lawmakers may try an unusual legislative maneuver to stop York County casino vote
The idea, to pass and then repeal the proposal, is one of the options under discussion, but not all agree the strategy is a good one.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine’s secretary of state invited to join Trump commission on voter fraud
Matthew Dunlap, who is skeptical of voter fraud claims by the president and others, said he could provide a valuable dissenting view on the national panel.