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On Thursday, The Supreme Judicial Court of Maine unanimously ruled against Governor Paul R. LePage in his veto dispute with the state legislature.
The disagreement centered around the governor’s veto power and how long the governor could wait before returning vetoed bills to the legislature. Typically, the governor has ten days to veto bills and return them. If the legislature adjourns and signals the end of the second legislative session before those ten days are up, the governor may exercise a pocket veto.
LePage’s administration had claimed that the legislature’s temporary adjournment on June 30 triggered a provision in the Maine Constitution which allowed the governor to hold onto bills until the legislature reconvened for three consecutive days. The governor’s basic argument was that the legislature’s adjournment, with no set date to return, prevented him from returning vetoed bills to the legislature. Therefore, he could hold onto the vetoed bills longer than the typical ten day period.
The governor acted on this position, refusing to return the bills during the traditional ten day period, only sending them to the legislature after is had reconvened. Democrat Speaker of the House Mark Eves and Republican Senate President Mike Thibodeau refused to take up the vetoes, however, ruling them out of order.
With his constitutional interpretation rejected by the Maine legislature, LePage asked the Supreme Judicial Court of Maine to answer the question of whether his vetoes stood, or if the bills had become law.
Frary: Down the Slippery Slope to a Decision with Angus King
Late in July, Senator Angus King took a bold position on the Iran nuclear deal. The column’s title tells most of the tale: “Congress needs to carefully review Iran nuclear agreement.” This will please those among us who think careless, slipshod reviews are a lousy idea. Building on this promising beginning, Maine’s junior senator goes […]Sigaud: An Objective Look at Constitutional Carry
One of the bright spots for Republicans this legislative session was the passage of a bill that protects so-called “constitutional carry.” This legislation, which was sponsored by freshman Senator Eric Brakey (R-Auburn), removes the need for an individual to acquire a permit before legally carrying a concealed handgun in Maine. When the law takes effect […]
A Breakdown of the Veto Dispute
Over the past few weeks, there has been significant discussion in the Maine political discourse on whether or not sixty-five bills were vetoed by the Governor or have become law.
However, much of this discussion has consisted of personal attacks and false information, and has failed to focus on the legal arguments being made by the Governor, the Maine Legislature, and other political figures.
So what is this veto dispute really about?
Background on Vetoing Legislation
According to clear language in the Maine Constitution, the Governor is allotted ten days to veto legislation while the legislature is in session.
However, if the legislature’s “adjournment” prevents the Governor from returning his vetoes, he may then veto legislation “within 3 days after the next meeting of the same Legislature which enacted the bill or resolution.”Read more here: http://www.themainewire.com/2015/07/breakdown-veto-dispute/
On Tuesday Morning, activists, concerned citizens, and advocates will be gathering at the State House to encourage lawmakers to sustain Gov. LePage’s veto of the next biannual state budget. Support for the Governor’s veto has been growing since the budget deal was released two weeks ago, due to the fact that the budget contains a $300 million spending increase, does little to address the need for welfare reform, is actually a significant tax increase, and is overall a bad deal for Maine.
The rally, which is set to start at 8:30 am in the Hall of Flags in the State Capitol, will take place just hours before the legislature is set to vote on the Governor’s veto of the budget plan. […]
On Monday, Gov. LePage is expected to veto the legislature’s $6.7 biennial state budget, and force lawmakers to either over-ride his veto or head back to the budget negotiating table. And while significant attention will be given (by Democrats and members of the media) to the fact that LePage’s veto means Maine could be heading
The deal is riddled with flaws and shortcomings, and would fail to move Maine towards prosperity or economic growth. It does not adequately address the largest issues facing Maine, nor does it reflect the core ideas and principles that Republicans were overwhelming elected on last November.[…]
The Maine Legislature approved a $6.7 billion biennial budget Tuesday morning, just in time to pass Governor LePage’s ten day veto period and avoid government shutdown before the start of the next fiscal year on July 1.While this would seem like a job well done, these legislators deserve no pat on the back. A select few secretly controlled negotiations while their peers were left in the dark until voting occurred.
The manner in which this budget was created; behind closed doors in “chairs and leads” meetings held throughout the preceding weeks, then ultimately finalized in private discussions between House Speaker Mark Eves, D-North Berwick; Senate President Mike Thibodeau, R-Winterport; Senate Minority Leader Justin Alfond, D-Portland; and House Minority Leader Ken Fredette, R-Newport, flies in the face of Maine’s long held tradition of and commitment to transparency, and shouldn’t be tolerated by the people of Maine.
| Michelle O comes to Maine
Posted: 03 Oct 2014 03:22 PM PDT
ORONO
– First Lady Michelle Obama touted the health of the U.S. economy as
she visited Maine on Friday to campaign on behalf of Democratic
candidates at the University of Maine in Orono. “I remember some of you
were with us back when we were out in Iowa and New Hampshire talking
about hope and change and […]
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| Why Elections Cannot Fix Washington D.C.
Posted: 03 Oct 2014 10:19 AM PDT
As
our nation continues to spiral out of control and those we elected to
Congress continue to ignore their responsibilities and their
constitutional boundaries, what are concerned citizens supposed to do?
Until recently all we were ever heard was, “We need to elect ‘good’
people to office that will obey the Constitution.” Now that sounds […]
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| 92,584,000 Americans not in work force; Unemployment Rate at 5.9 percent
Posted: 03 Oct 2014 10:14 AM PDT
The
national unemployment rate fell to 5.9 percent in September as the
percentage of Americans not in the workforce reached a 36-year high,
according to a Friday report from the U.S. Labor Department. “Total
nonfarm payroll employment increased by 248,000 in September, and the
unemployment rate declined to 5.9 percent,” the U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics reported Friday. […]
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National Rifle Association backs Poliquin
Posted: 02 Oct 2014 01:33 PM PDT
Republican
congressional candidate Bruce Poliquin on Thursday received the
endorsement of the National Rifle Association, the nation’s foremost
Second Amendment advocacy group. “Bruce is committed to fight for gun
owners and hunters in Maine,” said NRA Political Victory Fund chairman
Chris Cox. “He is the only candidate in Maine’s 2nd Congressional
District who shares the NRA’s commitment […]
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Press Herald columnist likens tea party to Ku Klux Klan
Posted: 02 Oct 2014 12:51 PM PDT
Portland
Press Herald columnist Alan Caron says Republican Gov. Paul LePage
isn’t the worst governor in Maine’s history, but he’s a close comparison
to Gov. Ralph O. Brewster — a man notorious for his ties to the Ku Klux
Klan. “Ralph Owen Brewster is a closer comparison to LePage,” Caron
wrote in a column published Thursday. […]
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Cato Institute ranks LePage among top four U.S. governors on fiscal policy
Posted: 02 Oct 2014 10:44 AM PDT
The
Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank headquartered in Washington,
D.C., released its 2014 Fiscal Policy Report Card on America’s
Governors. Maine Gov. Paul LePage received top marks from Cato with a
score of “A”. Only three other governors — Gov. Sam Brownback of Kansas,
Gov. Pat McCrory of North Carolina, and Gov. Mike Pence […]
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The Embarrassing Governor
Posted: 02 Oct 2014 06:51 AM PDT
Author’s
note: A previous version of this column appeared in the Portland Press
Herald We’ve heard the term “embarrassing” used a lot in Maine over the
last four years – and it’s usually in connection with our current
governor. I, for one, am not embarrassed by Republican Gov. Paul LePage
at all. OK, I’ve cringed […]
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LePage blasts Mass. liberals on natural gas policy, calls for federal intervention
Posted: 29 Sep 2014 01:09 PM PDT
AUGUSTA
- Gov. Paul R. LePage on Monday called upon the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC) to intervene in New England to address
rising energy prices before a winter gets underway — a step he said is
necessary because of recent actions taken by Massachusetts. “New England
households and our businesses are about to experience a […]
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Daily Catch: Obama’s ’60 Minutes’ Interview, Debate Debates, Minimum Wage, and James O’Keefe’s Latest
Posted: 29 Sep 2014 08:09 AM PDT
Contradiction:
In a CBS “60 Minutes” interview, President Barack Obama admitted that
his foreign policy plans in Syria were based on a contradiction. The
president’s efforts to “degrade” Islamic State forces may have the
undesired effect of helping the brutal Syrian dictator, Bashar Assad,
regain control of the country. “I recognize the contradiction in a
contradictory land […]
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Common Core: An Up-Close-And-Personal Encounter with the Standards Review Process
Posted: 29 Sep 2014 07:16 AM PDT
By
Heidi Sampson – It was with reserved optimism that I accepted a post on
the Standards Review Panel. I was informed that this process would only
look at the standards to make sure they are of the highest quality for
Maine students. I was also assured by the commissioner we would be
bringing in […]
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Poll: Poliquin leads Cain by double digits
Posted: 29 Sep 2014 06:48 AM PDT
A
new public opinion poll shows Republican Bruce Polquin leading Democrat
state Sen. Emily Cain (D-Orono) by 10 points in Maine’s Second District
congressional race. The poll was paid for by the liberal-leaning
Portland Press Herald, whose majority owner, S. Donald Sussman, has
donated to Cain. It was conducted by the University of New Hampshire
Survey […]
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WATCH: Great debates in Maine politics [video]
Posted: 23 Sep 2014 01:14 PM PDT
With
all the talk of debates this year, we thought readers might be
interested in watching a collection of previous debates in Maine
politics. Check out the “greatest hits” of Maine’s gubernatorial and
congressional debates. Michael Michaud vs. John Frary No collection of
Maine debate clips would be complete without clips from Michaud’s 2008
congressional […]
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LePage wins NRA endorsement
Posted: 23 Sep 2014 11:43 AM PDT
The
National Rifle Association has endorsed Republican Gov. Paul LePage in
his reelection bid, the group announced on Tuesday. “Based on his
leadership on Second Amendment issues, LePage has earned an “A+” rating
from the NRA-PVF in the 2014 general election,” the NRA wrote in a press
release. “An “A+” is the highest possible rating […]
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Senator can’t explain Dem job creation plans for 127th Legislature
Posted: 23 Sep 2014 07:43 AM PDT
Sen.
Ann Haskell (D-Portland), assistant majority leader in the state
senate, went on the George Hale and Ric Tyler radio program Tuesday
morning to talk about a press conference Democratic lawmakers held about
their plans for the next legislative session. After trotting out
Democratic talking points about Maine’s job creation over the past three
and […]
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Democrat state worker debunks liberals’ latest attack on LePage
Posted: 23 Sep 2014 07:01 AM PDT
When
the Bangor Daily News published a story about Gov. Paul LePage’s
vacation policy for political appointees, Democratic operatives thought
they had found campaign gold. From the BDN: “A new policy instituted by
Gov. Paul LePage in February substantially increased paid vacation time
for 54 political appointees and governor’s office staff, by crediting
prior, relevant […]
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VIDEO: Michaud dodges question on VA corruption scandal (again)
Posted: 23 Sep 2014 06:42 AM PDT
WASHINGTON,
D.C. – Following new developments in the Veterans Affairs health care
corruption scandal, U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud, the ranking Democrat on
the Veterans Affairs Committee, is struggling to answer questions about
how the committee is only now addressing problems in the system that
have been brewing for nearly a decade. In May, a preliminary […]
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