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| Governor Paul LePage (R-Maine) |
Republican Governor Paul LePage of Maine has consistently enacted
a conservative agenda in the Pine Tree State, in spite of Democratic
opposition, and frequent media investigations into his rhetoric as well as
dealings with the state legislature in Augusta.
a conservative agenda in the Pine Tree State, in spite of Democratic
opposition, and frequent media investigations into his rhetoric as well as
dealings with the state legislature in Augusta.
In another victory for Second Amendment advocates and
conservatives in general, LePage signed into law legislation which would remove
the permit requirement to carry a firearm in Maine.
conservatives in general, LePage signed into law legislation which would remove
the permit requirement to carry a firearm in Maine.
Gov. Paul LePage on
Wednesday signed into law a bill to nix the concealed gun permit requirement in
Maine.
Wednesday signed into law a bill to nix the concealed gun permit requirement in
Maine.
The law, dubbed
“constitutional carry” by supporters, won support from a broad bipartisan
coalition of lawmakers in the House and Senate. It will take effect 90 days
after the current legislative session ends.
“constitutional carry” by supporters, won support from a broad bipartisan
coalition of lawmakers in the House and Senate. It will take effect 90 days
after the current legislative session ends.
LePage faced Democratic majorities after the 2012 elections,
but Republicans regained the state senate after 2014, and Republicans are only
eleven seats shy of a majority in the lower chamber.
but Republicans regained the state senate after 2014, and Republicans are only
eleven seats shy of a majority in the lower chamber.
The path to passage faced heated pressure on both sides,
too:
too:
“It’s what the people
have been wanting, and the studies we’ve looked at [from other states with
permitless carry] … we see very few problems,” Ireland said. “We’re anxious to
see how it’s going to work out.”
have been wanting, and the studies we’ve looked at [from other states with
permitless carry] … we see very few problems,” Ireland said. “We’re anxious to
see how it’s going to work out.”
The bill’s path to law
featured heavy lobbying from third-party groups on both sides of the debate.
The National Rifle Association urged its passage, while EveryTown for Gun
Safety, a gun control organization associated with former New York City Mayor
Michael Bloomberg, opposed the measure.
featured heavy lobbying from third-party groups on both sides of the debate.
The National Rifle Association urged its passage, while EveryTown for Gun
Safety, a gun control organization associated with former New York City Mayor
Michael Bloomberg, opposed the measure.
The bill also was
opposed by the Maine Chiefs of Police Association, Maine Sheriffs’ Association
and individual police departments in several of Maine’s largest cities. The only law enforcement agency to publicly
support the bill was the Maine State Police.
opposed by the Maine Chiefs of Police Association, Maine Sheriffs’ Association
and individual police departments in several of Maine’s largest cities. The only law enforcement agency to publicly
support the bill was the Maine State Police.
Conservative Republican LePage has had his other share of
political victories, too.
political victories, too.
Maine
Democrats caved to LePage on welfare reform, especially since Republicans
campaigned on stopping welfare fraud and abuse of the public assistance system
in the state. LePage has also pushed hard for tax reform, threatening to veto
every bill from the Democratic state assembly until they signed off on
repealing the state income tax.
Democrats caved to LePage on welfare reform, especially since Republicans
campaigned on stopping welfare fraud and abuse of the public assistance system
in the state. LePage has also pushed hard for tax reform, threatening to veto
every bill from the Democratic state assembly until they signed off on
repealing the state income tax.
His hard-line approach has engaged conservatives and enraged
liberals in Maine. He is also well-known for
speaking his mind without reserve, regardless of perceptions from media or fellow Mainers. The
Lewiston-born LePage, reared in an abusive home, lived on the streets before a
couple adopted him. He worked through school, owned businesses, then entered
politics through the Waterville City Councl, first as member, then Mayor.
liberals in Maine. He is also well-known for
speaking his mind without reserve, regardless of perceptions from media or fellow Mainers. The
Lewiston-born LePage, reared in an abusive home, lived on the streets before a
couple adopted him. He worked through school, owned businesses, then entered
politics through the Waterville City Councl, first as member, then Mayor.
Riding the Tea Party wave in 2010, Gov. LePage was elected
with 37% of the vote in a five-way general election, then achieved reelection with
44%, despite two well-known general election challengers. His tenure in Maine
coincides with other pro-Republican developments, even though the state has not
elected a Republican President in
nearly three decades. The state’s Congressional delegation, whittled down
to two house reps since the 1960s, elected former state treasurer Bruce
Poliquin, the first Maine Republican in nearly two decades.
with 37% of the vote in a five-way general election, then achieved reelection with
44%, despite two well-known general election challengers. His tenure in Maine
coincides with other pro-Republican developments, even though the state has not
elected a Republican President in
nearly three decades. The state’s Congressional delegation, whittled down
to two house reps since the 1960s, elected former state treasurer Bruce
Poliquin, the first Maine Republican in nearly two decades.