Christopher Cousins
State House Bureau Chief
- 207.443.5310
- ccousins@bangordailynews.com
State finance chief launches inquiry after ex-employee claims supervisors valued protecting own jobs over saving money
AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine’s finance commissioner has launched an inquiry into the Bureau of General Services, after an ex-employee claimed he was subject to reprisal from his managers for trying to negotiate lower rates on architecture contracts for state projects. “Please be assured that if the investigations indicate that reform …
Two Maine virtual charter school applications gain initial commission approval
AUGUSTA, Maine — Two proposals that could become Maine’s first virtual charter schools were among three applications that the Maine Charter School Commission voted to move forward Thursday. The commission rejected applications by the same two virtual charter school groups at this stage of the process last year — after …
George Mitchell: US approaching golden age despite ‘very negative emotion’ about politics
AUGUSTA, Maine — Former U.S. Sen. George J. Mitchell said Tuesday that despite how daunting some of the country’s problems are, the United States is on the precipice of one of the most prosperous eras in American history. Mitchell, who was in Augusta on Tuesday to address the Legislature and …
Charter school debate continues as Maine commission turns attention to online offerings
AUGUSTA, Maine — For years, 14-year-old Riley Deraps of South Portland felt like the public school system had him stuck on a track to somewhere he didn’t want to go. After he signed up for required classes, there were only one or two slots left in his daily schedule to …
STATE & CAPITOL (blog)
What will LePage say during his State of the State Address?
on Jan. 24, 2014, at 7:44 a.m.
Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s State of the State Address next month will reaffirm some of the priorities he’s been spearheading since taking office and highlight some of his proudest accomplishments. That should serve as no surprise, as virtually every governor uses his State of the State Address to take stock …
Controversial Maine ‘religious freedom’ bill rejected by legislative committee
AUGUSTA, Maine — A bill intended to protect religious freedom, but which opponents said would have opened the door to the use of religion to justify illegal discrimination and Maine Human Rights Act violations, suffered a serious blow Thursday when the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee voted 8-4 against passage. Thursday’s vote …
STATE & CAPITOL (blog)
Justin Alfond expands his support to both Democrats in state Senate primary election
on Jan. 23, 2014, at 12:44 p.m.
Senate President Justin Alfond, D-Portland, who earlier this week voiced support for Democrat Steve Woods in the race for the Senate District 25 seat being vacated by independent Sen. Richard Woodbury, said Thursday following the entrance into the race of another Democrat that he is neutral. Former U.S. Senate and …
Former Sen. George J. Mitchell to address joint session of Maine Legislature
AUGUSTA, Maine — Former U.S. Sen. George J. Mitchell, perhaps one of the most accomplished politicians to move from Maine to the national and international scenes, will visit the State House on Tuesday to deliver a speech to a joint session of the House and Senate. Mitchell, a Democrat, will …
STATE & CAPITOL (blog)
Democrat Steve Woods jumps into race for state Senate seat being vacated by Woodbury
on Jan. 21, 2014, at 7:58 p.m.
Steve Woods, the Yarmouth-based businessman who in the past two years has launched unsuccessful bids to be governor and U.S. Senator, announced Tuesday that he now has set his sights on the state Senate and will run as a Democrat for the seat currently held by the Senate’s only independent. …
Marijuana Policy Project looks to legalize pot in South Portland, York, Lewiston
AUGUSTA, Maine — The Marijuana Policy Project will launch new efforts to legalize recreational marijuana use this fall in Lewiston, South Portland and York, a move that leaders in two of those cities said caught them to some degree off guard. While South Portland Police Chief Edward Googins said he …
Senate snuffs LePage veto; bill that pays to help MaineCare recipients quit smoking to become law
AUGUSTA, Maine — The Senate voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to override Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of a bill that would require the state’s Medicaid program to fully fund tobacco cessation treatment. The Senate’s 31-4 vote Tuesday morning follows a strong rejection of the governor’s veto on Thursday in the …
STATE & CAPITOL (blog)
Poliquin recalls when famed New England Patriots coach Belichick was better at lacrosse
on Jan. 17, 2014, at 8:13 p.m.
When Bruce Poliquin roots for the New England Patriots, he carries a little more oomph than the rest of us when it comes to Head Coach Bill Belichick. Poliquin, of Oakland, the former state treasurer who is running for Maine 2nd Congressional District as a Republican, has known Belichick since …
CAMPAIGN 2014
LePage, Michaud call Cutler’s debate challenge a stunt
AUGUSTA, Maine — Eliot Cutler, an independent candidate for governor, has gone public with his challenge to Maine’s other two major gubernatorial candidates to participate in policy debates in every county in Maine — and soon. The campaigns for Democrat Mike Michaud and Republican Paul LePage said Cutler is trying …
House overturns LePage veto of bill to help MaineCare recipients quit smoking, kills budget fix bill
AUGUSTA, Maine — Lawmakers in the House of Representatives on Thursday overwhelmingly overrode Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of a bill designed to reduce tobacco-related illness in Maine, but the House narrowly sustained a budget bill veto that could reduce state revenues by about $7 million between now and mid-2015. LePage …
STATE & CAPITOL (blog)
Governor’s race fund raising reports show fast Michaud, slow LePage and rich Cutler
on Jan. 15, 2014, at 11:54 p.m.
U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, the presumed Democratic candidate for governor, leads Republican Gov. Paul LePage and independent candidate Eliot Cutler in the overall money race, according to new campaign finance reports the candidates filed Wednesday with the Maine Ethics Commission. As of the December 31 filing deadline two weeks ago, …
STATE & CAPITOL (blog)
LePage’s list of budget ‘shortfalls’ includes new spending proposals
on Jan. 15, 2014, at 6:08 p.m.
The $119 million state budget shortfall identified by the LePage administration this week includes millions of dollars of new spending initiatives, some of which are repeats of proposals by the governor that were rejected last year by the Legislature. Though the dollar amounts associated with the items are small in …
Architect of high-profile state liquor contract renegotiation resigns from state government
AUGUSTA, Maine — Gerry Reid, who oversaw the renegotiation of the state’s liquor contract and struck a deal he believes will double state revenues from liquor distribution over the next 10 years, has announced that he is retiring from state government. Reid, whose tenure with the state will reach two …
Bill that would make it easier for towns to quit regional school districts advances
AUGUSTA, Maine — A bill that would ease the requirements for municipalities that want to pull out of their regional school units is headed to the Legislature with a unanimous show of support from the Education Committee. LD 783, An Act to Change the Voting Requirements for the Withdrawal of …
Maine’s $119 million budget hole linked to Medicaid use, underperforming LePage savings initiatives
AUGUSTA, Maine — Republicans and Democrats have been sparring for weeks over the causes of the state budget shortfall, which on Monday evening was pegged by Gov. Paul LePage at approximately $119 million. While Republicans have blamed higher-than-expected use of some Medicaid programs, Democrats have alleged mismanagement within the Department …
STATE & CAPITOL (blog)
Cold outside? Here are a few surprises about surviving winter in Maine
on Jan. 14, 2014, at 1:21 p.m.
Reminding Mainers how to survive winter is sort of like reminding a fish to swim or a snowflake to fall to Earth, but that’s just what members of the Legislature’s Energy Committee held a press conference for on Monday. I am one among the masses who daily find themselves locked …
Source: Missing Malaysian jet may have disintegrated in mid-air
LSD-laced steak sickens Florida family
Portland man dies from injuries suffered in Windham crash
Sky bridge? I-395 connection? Change in expectations a better answer to Cross Center traffic
Mike Michaud can stand up for papermakers and Maine’s high-tech future
How a modern logistics hub in Bangor can make port in Searsport competitive
Maine coach says his future ‘out of my hands’ after team ousted by Stony Brook in league quarterfinal
Rivalry renewed: New-look Yankees should contend with Red Sox for AL East title
Grade’s overtime goal lifts Falmouth by St. Dominic for second straight Class A hockey state title
William Clay Ford Sr., Detroit Lions owner and former Ford Motor chief, dies
Patriots want to restructure Wilfork’s deal
The Navy’s 2014 Spouse Survey misses some things
‘Yeah, we get a lot of bruises’: Roller derby skates north to Aroostook County
The (one-act) play is the thing: MPA starts high school drama competitions statewide
Blackfish or Blacklist? Part II