Tag Archives: Ben Chipman

LePage’s jail consolidation plan looks dead. Was it ever alive?

Maine sheriffs came out in force against the plan, which surprised them when it was released in January. Now, it looks like fixing the jail system will be the task of another governor.

Maine Democrats split on value of ranked-choice voting lawsuit

Supporters of ranked-choice voting in Maine have filed a lawsuit designed to guarantee the system is implemented in time for the June prmary, but not even RCV supporters can agree whether the lawsuit was necessary.

A Maine Democrat’s day in the national convention spotlight

Good morning from downtown Gardiner, where it’s already hot and I’m feeling the effects of a sunburn from a weekend on Webb Pond in Hancock County. But I’ll power through, because it’s my job to tell you about the Maine delegation feeling the Bern in Philadelphia at the Democratic National Convention. The roll call vote to […]

It looks like conservatives push-polled Mike Thibodeau’s district

Good morning from Augusta. This is the time of year that your phone will start to ring with political robocalls and polls. Today, we lead with one that looks particularly dirty, courtesy of a Winterport man who took a polling call at home on Monday evening that he said ended after he became angry. He asked not to […]

Portland legislator’s fundraising haul ‘among’ the highest ever for Maine primary

A Democratic Portland legislator raised an eye-popping $89,000 for her June primary for a Maine Senate seat, a haul that state election officials called among the biggest ever at this point in a race. Rep. Diane Russell’s filing was the highlight of a batch of disclosures due to the Maine Ethics Commission on Friday, covering legislative campaign activities […]

Maine panel ends ethics probe on Portland lawmaker, but illuminates legal loophole

Good morning from Augusta, where a Portland lawmaker running for a Maine Senate seat in the city declared victory after a state ethics panel vote on Wednesday. But it wasn’t such a slam dunk and his case illuminated what advocates called a loophole in state election law. It revolves around Rep. Ben Chipman, a Democrat running in a Senate primary […]

How LePage could (but likely won’t) be impeached today

Good morning from Augusta, where lawmakers will likely consider impeaching a governor for the first time in Maine history. A group of liberal lawmakers has been talking about their attempt to oust Republican Gov. Paul LePage from office since last summer and all indications are that they will present their order today. The plan is for the House […]

Unlikely LePage impeachment bid could hit House floor Wednesday

The sponsor of the bid to oust Gov. Paul LePage from office released an impeachment order on Monday that could be taken up when lawmakers return to Augusta on Wednesday. But it’s hard to overstate how unlikely it is to move forward: On Monday, House Majority Leader Jeff McCabe, D-Skowhegan, who will likely preside over the House […]

Half of Portland House delegates support pot legalization

Four of Portland’s eight delegates to the state House of Representatives will announce their support for the Nov. 5 referendum to decriminalize possession of marijuana by adults in that city. A “yes” vote on Question 1 in Portland would legalize the recreational use of marijuana by adults 21 years of age and older. Democratic Reps. […]