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Vermont's Governor to Seek Re-Election, Won't Campaign Now
Vermont Republican Gov. Phil Scott announced Thursday he is running for re-election, but he won’t hire staff, actively campaign or raise money until the current state of emergency because of the coronavirus is lifted. In an email to supporters, Scott said that during the pandemic, Vermont needs a governor who is focused full-time on responding to the disease. “I...
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Beto O'Rourke Boards a Bolt Bus for Boston
When presidential candidates travel by bus, it’s usually their own campaign bus, decked out with their name or campaign imagery. Not for Beto O’Rourke’s trip to Boston Thursday — he’s taking a Bolt bus.
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‘That Would Actually Hurt Me:' Vermonters Voice Opposition to Proposed SNAP Cuts
A proposal from the Trump administration to reform nutrition benefits is being met with pushback by Vermont’s Republican governor and the state’s Department for Children and Families, which says the move could affect thousands of kids in the state who rely on food support. “I don’t want to be on any kind of benefits at all,” said Tammy Eaborn of...
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Portsmouth Vigil Held to Honor Victims of Mass Shooting
Sunday’s vigil outside of North Church comes days after Gov. Chris Sununu vetoed three gun control bills.
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Transgender Soldiers Welcome in Massachusetts National Guard: Baker Administration
Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration says transgender soldiers remain welcome in the Massachusetts National Guard, despite President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people serving in the U.S. military. In a letter to state legislators, Secretary of Public Safety Thomas Turco said the administration “will continue to support transgender soldiers and airmen in serving our Commonwealth with dignity and...
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Vermont GOP Governor Criticizes Trump Over ‘Racist' Comments
Vermont’s Republican governor says he thinks President Donald Trump’s comments about four Democratic congresswomen of color were “offensive” and “racist.”
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Vermont Governor Addresses Veto on Gun Bill
Vermont’s governor spoke to reporters Wednesday for the first time since announcing his veto of a bill that would have placed new restrictions on handgun purchases. The Vermont Senate bill that Scott vetoed would have made people buying handguns wait 24 hours before they could take their purchase home. Advocates for a new gun waiting period in the state had...
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New Hampshire House Overrides Veto of Death Penalty Repeal
The New Hampshire House has taken a big step toward eliminating the state’s death penalty by overriding the governor’s veto. The chamber on Thursday overrode Gov. Chris Sununu’s veto of a repeal with the bare minimum votes necessary to send the issue back to the Senate. The Senate voted 17-6 in favor of repeal last month. If that tally holds,...
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Gov. Chris Sununu Vetoes Death Penalty Abolishment; Override Likely
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu has vetoed a bill to repeal the death penalty, but the measure is expected to prevail in the Legislature, which passed it with veto-proof majorities this session. The Republican governor was surrounded by law enforcement officers in a ceremony in Manchester on Friday as he called the bill an injustice to slain police officer Michael...
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Gov. Charlie Baker to Deliver UMass-Amherst Commencement Speech
Gov. Charlie Baker will deliver the keynote commencement speech next month at the University of Massachusetts’ flagship campus in Amherst. UMass announced on Wednesday that the Republican governor will speak during commencement ceremonies for the approximately 5,500 undergraduate students receiving their bachelor’s degrees on May 10.
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Mass. Releases More Heating Aid, Advocates Want Full Amount
Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration is increasing the amount of funding available to help low-income residents pay their heating bills. The announcement comes after several lawmakers and advocates for the poor objected to the administration’s initial decision to release only $11 million of the $30 million in heating assistance authorized by the Legislature last month.
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Mass. House Budget Puts Off Decisions on Taxes, Sports Betting
A $42.7 billion state budget unveiled by House Democratic leaders on Wednesday proposes additional spending on education but pumps the brakes on calls for new taxes and the legalization of sports betting. The House Ways and Means Committee’s spending plan for the July 1 fiscal year was released by Speaker Robert DeLeo and the panel’s new appointed chairman, Rep. Aaron...
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Former Mass. Gov. Weld Could Discuss Possible White House Run
Former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld is expected to discuss his status as a possible candidate for president this week. On Friday, Weld will be the featured speaker at a “Politics & Eggs” event in Bedford, New Hampshire.
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Gov. Charlie Baker Files Bill Targeting ‘Revenge Porn'
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker is re-filing a bill aimed at cracking down on pornographic images published by people seeking revenge against former lovers while offering diversion programs for teenagers who post explicit pictures or videos online. Under the bill, minors found to be sending explicit images of peers would be enrolled in an educational diversion program rather than go through...
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Ex-Gov. William Weld Changes Party Registration From Libertarian Back to Republican While Mulling 2020 Presidential Run
Former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld has changed his party registration from Libertarian back to Republican as he mulls a possible primary challenge against President Donald Trump. Weld served as a Republican governor from 1991 until 1997. He later became a Libertarian and ran for vice president on a ticket with former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson in the 2016 election.
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Baker's Bill Targets Distracted Driving, Seatbelt Scofflaws
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has filed a wide-ranging traffic safety proposal that includes a ban on the use of handheld cellphones by drivers and stepped-up enforcement of seatbelt requirements. The bill sent to lawmakers Tuesday also would toughen some penalties for drunken driving and proposes new safeguards for bicyclists and pedestrians.
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Gov. Charlie Baker Pocket Vetoes Ban on Some Flame Retardant Chemicals
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has pocket vetoed a bill that would ban flame retardant chemicals from being used in a variety of household products. In a letter sent to lawmakers on Friday, the Republican governor said while he supports the legislation’s goal of eliminating the toxic chemicals, he cannot sign the measure in its present form.
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Baker Vetoes Ban on Flame Retardant Chemicals
Gov. Charlie Baker has pocket vetoed a bill that would ban flame retardant chemicals from being used in a variety of household products.
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Signing Off on Results, Outgoing Maine Gov. Paul LePage Writes ‘Stolen Election'
Maine’s outgoing Republican governor is signing off on the results of a disputed congressional contest, but not before getting the last word with a handwritten note calling it a “stolen election.” A federal appeals court filing Friday showed all parties agreed to the dismissal of Republican Rep. Bruce Poliquin’s lawsuit over the November election without any award of legal...
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Maine Gov. Paul LePage Calls Ranked Voting “Repugnant”
Maine’s Republican governor is casting doubts on election results while a GOP congressman continues a federal lawsuit over Maine’s new voting system. Gov. Paul LePage called Maine’s ranked voting system “repugnant” to constitutional rights in Wednesday filings.