Paul LePage

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Maine Governor Defies Voters on Medicaid Expansion

Paul LePage is flouting ballot initiative, hindering efforts to implement ObamaCare program

(Newser) - Nearly 60% of Maine's voters gave the green light to Medicaid expansion in their state in a November ballot initiative, and individuals are supposed to become eligible for coverage starting July 2, per that mandate. But there's a wrench in the works in the form of Gov. Paul...

Maine Votes to Expand Medicaid, Gov. Vows to Block It

It's not clear whether he actually can

(Newser) - Maine took an unprecedented step Tuesday when residents overwhelmingly voted to expand the state's Medicaid program—but Gov. Paul LePage quickly said he'd block the immediate implementation of the expansion. A statement Wednesday says the referendum, which was approved by a margin of 59% to 41% and would...

Murdered Reporter's Boyfriend Among Virginia Winners
'Anti-Trump Wave' Results
in Big Gains for Democrats
THE RUNDOWN

'Anti-Trump Wave' Results in Big Gains for Democrats

Murdered reporter's boyfriend was among Virginia winners

(Newser) - Almost a year to the day after President Trump was elected, Democrats scored big victories in races across the country—especially in Virginia, where Democrat Ralph Northam defeated Trump-endorsed Republican Ed Gillespie in the governor's race . Democrats made major statewide gains in Virginia as well as recapturing the governor'...

Voters Could Set Precedent for Medicaid Expansion

If Maine referendum passes, Gov. Paul LePage can't block Medicaid expansion under ACA

(Newser) - On Nov. 7, Maine will take an unprecedented step for a state when it allows residents to vote on expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, the New York Times reports. Maine is one of 19 states where Republicans have blocked Medicaid expansion available under the ACA. The Maine legislature...

In Maine, Signs Don't Point to Park Obama Designated

Gov. Paul LePage refusing to install road signs to Katahdin Woods and Waters

(Newser) - Katahdin Woods and Waters is 87,000 acres in Maine that former President Obama designated a national monument in his final months in office. But you're going to have to use Google Maps to get there, because there are no road signs in the area directing drivers to...

Pooch Ordered Euthanized Despite Pardon From Governor

But appeals are expected

(Newser) - A judge has ordered a dog to be euthanized despite a pardon issued by Maine Gov. Paul LePage, the AP reports. The Alaskan husky named Dakota was originally ordered to be put down after getting loose and killing a neighbor's pug last year and later attacking a second dog....

Maine Gov. Accused of Trying to Discourage Student Voters

ACLU wants LePage investigated for voter intimidation

(Newser) - Maine Gov. Paul LePage should be encouraging first-time voters in his state, not trying to scare them off, says the ACLU, which wants the Republican to be investigated for alleged voter intimidation. When LePage was asked Monday about fliers that appeared on a college campus over the weekend falsely claiming...

America's 10 Least Popular Governors

Chris Christie makes the list but doesn't top it

(Newser) - Morning Consult has released its rankings of the country's most and least popular governors, and a certain one-time presidential hopeful from New Jersey is near the top of the disapproval column. Politico reports Chris Christie is the third most unpopular governor in the country with a 68% disapproval...

Maine Gov. Tells Press He'll Never Speak to Press Again

Paul LePage also won't resign or seek 'professional help'

(Newser) - Gov. Paul LePage isn't going anywhere, the Boston Globe reports. Nor will he be seeking "professional help." The embattled Maine governor announced on the radio Wednesday his plans to stay in office and seek "spiritual guidance" along with his family. "I'm not an alcoholic,...

Maine Governor: 'Maybe It's Time to Move On'

Paul LePage says he's mulling a resignation, but he hasn't made any final decisions

(Newser) - Paul LePage may have more free time to partake in 1825-style duels soon if he steps down as Maine's governor, floating the latter idea Tuesday on a local radio station while addressing reaction to recent inflammatory statements he's made, per the Portland Press Herald . "I'm looking...

Governor Leaves Lawmaker 'Bizarre,' Vulgar Voicemail

'You little son-of-a-bitch, socialist [expletive]'

(Newser) - The governor of Maine left what TPM calls a "bizarre and threatening"—not to mention foul-mouthed—voicemail for a Democratic state lawmaker he believes called him a racist. "I’ve spent my life helping black people and you little son-of-a-bitch, socialist cocksucker," Gov. Paul LePage said...

Wife of US' Worst-Paid Governor Is Waiting Tables

Ann LePage is saving up for a Toyota RAV4

(Newser) - Ann LePage bounded with a cup of chowder and a plate of fish and broccoli, in her first double shift at McSeagull's, a bustling restaurant touting double-wrapped bacon scallops and views of Boothbay Harbor. The wife of Maine Republican Gov. Paul LePage had kept a low profile for the...

Gov: I Meant 'Maine Girls,' Not 'White Girls'

LePage tries to walk back drug dealer remarks

(Newser) - Maine Gov. Paul LePage says he is being labeled a racist because of a "one word slip-up" during remarks on the state's drug problem . He insists that he hadn't intended for there to be a racial element to his claim that out-of-state drug dealers called "D-Money,...

Maine Gov: Drug Dealers Impregnating 'White Girls'

LePage under fire for 'blatantly racist' remarks

(Newser) - Maine Gov. Paul LePage is known for being outspoken, and equally outspoken critics are calling him a racist after remarks he made at a town hall meeting on Wednesday. When asked about the state's drug problem, the Republican started talking about out-of-state drug dealers, saying "guys with the...

Former Mayor Throws Vaseline at Maine Governor

It was a reference to crude remark he made 2 years ago

(Newser) - Let's be honest: A former Maine state lawmaker and mayor essentially threw a jar of Vaseline at Gov. Paul LePage yesterday. But WGME will only go so far as to say in its headline that Joanne Twomey threw the jar "near" the guv, and the Bangor Daily News...

Report: Maine Governor Says Obama 'Hates White People'

2 lawmakers say so, but Paul LePage denies it

(Newser) - Maine's governor managed to make even his fellow Republicans cringe at a fundraiser last week, according to two GOP state lawmakers who were there. Paul LePage was discussing how President Obama blew his chance at being a great president by not touting his biracial heritage—which he hasn't...

Maine Hides Gun Permit IDs After Newspaper Request

Governor signs emergency measure into law

(Newser) - New Maine legislation keeps the identities of those with concealed-carry permits under wraps—at least for now. Both houses of the state legislature easily passed the emergency measure, signed by Republican Gov. Paul LePage yesterday, after the Bangor Daily News last week requested data on permit holders and "a...

17 Stories