Paul Lepage

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Maine's donkey party loves the rich and the poor — but can't protect both

In the current legislative fight over Republican Governor Paul LePage's lust to slash Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) programs because of a $221-million shortfall in its budget, Democrats say over and over that they want to protect the po
Two-faced Democrats
By LANCE TAPLEY | February 17, 2012

The Making of Paul LePage, Part 2

Governor Paul LePage has made plenty of waves in his first year in office, and has many wondering where his sometimes provocative political attitudes come from. In this two part series we ask: who is Paul LePage?
Rise to Power
By COLIN WOODARD | January 20, 2012

The Making of Paul LePage

Governor Paul LePage generated more controversy and negative press in his first year in office than most Maine politicians do in their entire careers.
Part One: Escaping Poverty; or, the Horatio Alger Years
By COLIN WOODARD | January 13, 2012

It might never happen

The Very Smart People have proclaimed that the Democratic Party is about to reclaim control of the Maine House of Representatives.
Democrat domination
By AL DIAMON | January 13, 2012

Stupid is equal-opportunity

To me, 2011 offered a buffet of publicly expressed stupidity, perpetuated by a broad swatch of races, genders, and ideological factions. Here are a few gems.
Diverse City
By SHAY STEWART-BOULEY | January 06, 2012

What were you hoping for?

In his first year as governor, Republican Paul LePage did a decent job.
LePage's year
By AL DIAMON | December 30, 2011

Indestructible machine

The weird thing about the Maine Department of Health and Human Services is not that it wastes enormous amounts of taxpayer money. It's that it doesn't have any fun doing it.
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services
By AL DIAMON | December 23, 2011

Greenwashing?

Governor Paul LePage dealt a blow to Maine's green building industry earlier this month when he issued an executive order expanding the types of "green" wood products that can be used in state building construction.
Going green
By DEIRDRE FULTON | December 23, 2011

Who is behind the controversial regulatory takings bill?

Who is behind the controversial regulatory takings bill?
On the takings
By COLIN WOODARD | December 23, 2011

Good tidings from LePage

In place of our usual monthly Gubernatorial Scorecard, we're looking at what Governor Paul LePage has been up to through the lens of the holiday season.
Gubernatorial Wishlist
By PORTLAND PHOENIX STAFF | December 09, 2011

Long term plan

Since you're reading this column, I assume you're a person well-versed in the important matters facing this state, or else you're insanely bored and found my stuff marginally more entertaining than the legal notices.
Maine Legislature in 2012
By AL DIAMON | December 09, 2011

Three the hard way

The current field of Democratic gubernatorial candidates consists of one who's already run unsuccessfully, one who's a member of the 1 percent of rich and powerful Americans the Occupy Maine movement is protesting, and one who's sort of loopy.
Gubernatorial candidates
By AL DIAMON | December 02, 2011

Fraud isn't killing Maine's welfare system — conservative misunderstanding is

Last week in Ellsworth, Governor Paul LePage renewed his efforts to change Maine's welfare system, calling for increased restrictions on benefits for people seeking taxpayer support to get health coverage through the state's Medicaid program.
Barely hanging on
By JEFF INGLIS | November 18, 2011

Moving around

The day before Richard Connor resigned his position as editor and publisher of the Portland Press Herald and head of MaineToday Media (as well as departing his leadership posts atop a Pennsylvania newspaper company), he moved $3 million worth of real
Press Releases
By JEFF INGLIS | November 18, 2011

Ratings game

A recent poll found that more Mainers approve of the governor's job performance this year than did last year.
Gubernatorial Scorecard
By PORTLAND PHOENIX STAFF | November 11, 2011

The wrong words

In the past month, a political action committee called Putting Maine To Work has sent me so many brochures that I no longer need to worry about putting myself to work.
Putting Maine To Work's approach
By AL DIAMON | November 11, 2011

Creature from the Black Lagoon

I don't believe in ghosts. Or vampires. Or werewolves. Or other mythical creatures, such as Republican US Senate candidate Scott D'Amboise.
Tax reform: it's downright scary
By AL DIAMON | October 22, 2011

'Bath salts' hysteria grips lawmakers

Like hopeless, strung-out junkies, one legislator after another babbled contradictions.
This is your Legislature on drugs
By LANCE TAPLEY | October 07, 2011

Three-city news war

The Portland Press Herald is really under the gun right now, from within and without its walls.
Press releases
By JEFF INGLIS | September 23, 2011

LePage’s Koch Brothers connection revealed

If you're looking for a poster child for the corrupting influence of corporate money in politics, you'd have a hard time doing better than the American Legislative Exchange Council.
Corporate coziness
By COLIN WOODARD | September 09, 2011

Storm clouds

We just weathered a storm that hit harder elsewhere than it did in Maine.
Gubernatorial Scorecard
By PORTLAND PHOENIX STAFF | September 02, 2011

Don't say the words

Raye is part of the moderate wing of the GOP, fiscally conservative but close to the middle on social issues.
On the campaign trail
By AL DIAMON | September 02, 2011

Museum dreams

This week, we're joining a guided tour of the Maine Museum of Political Paleontology. A docent is explaining to a group of schoolchildren what's happening in a scene depicting cave people trying to register to vote.
Political Paleontology
By AL DIAMON | August 26, 2011

Governor to nominate favored lobbyist to MPBN board

Governor Paul LePage doesn't much like the Maine Public Broadcasting Network.
Up in the air
By COLIN WOODARD | August 19, 2011

Where’s the drumbeat?

Last week's news was dominated by a larger-than-life figure whose cartoonishly confident self-image was battered by revelations that high-level staffers were engaging in questionable practices while trying to get their jobs done.
Press releases
By JEFF INGLIS | July 29, 2011

Look out for 'bath salts'

Watch out for "bath salts" — a new synthetic drug that's been on the Maine market for less than a year but has wreaked havoc in that time.
Bad trips
By DEIRDRE FULTON | July 29, 2011

The LePage Files

Confidential administration dossiers show Governor Paul LePage crafted significant portions of his regulatory reform agenda by literally copying and pasting passages from the memos his staff received from corporate lobbyists and their clients, turning sw
Confidential administration dossiers show governor is skilled at copying corporate and lobbyist wish lists
By COLIN WOODARD | July 22, 2011

Entering the ring

Environmental advocate Jon Hinck, a lawyer and a state representative, is "seriously considering" a run against Republican US Senator Olympia Snowe in 2012, he told the Phoenix this week.
Going green
By DEIRDRE FULTON | July 08, 2011

Democrats celebrate victory in the face of defeat

Senator Dawn Hill, of Cape Neddick, the lead Democrat on the Legislature's Appropriations Committee, which fashioned the recently passed $6-billion state budget, explained to the Phoenix why she voted to reduce income and estate taxes on the rich whi
They cozy up to Republicans and the rich
By LANCE TAPLEY | July 01, 2011

End of the innocence

As the legislative session ends, the amount and nature of Governor Paul LePage's political influence has become clearer.
Gubernatorial Scorecard
By PORTLAND PHOENIX STAFF | July 01, 2011

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