Latest news with #LePage
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
New daycare funding announced during Early Learning and Childcare week
$1.34 million will go towards a new Step Ahead Family Learning Centre in Bath On Monday, June 2, Environment and Climate Change Minister Gillis LePage, Carleton North Mayor Andrew Harvey, Councillor Scott Oakes, and Chair of the Step Ahead Family Learning board, Somer Drost, announced that after seven years in the making, the Step Ahead Family Learning Centre will build a new daycare beside the Bath Community School. The new daycare aims to reduce childcare waitlists and support working parents and guardians by offering affordable and reliable daycare options. 'This new daycare facility will be a game changer for our local families…it will mean that more children will have access to early-learning opportunities, which will help establish the foundation for their lifelong success,' said Harvey. An investment of $840,000 from the Regional Development Corporation is helping to fund the construction of a 743-square-meter accessible facility. The government formally transferred the land to the District of Carleton North for a symbolic cost of just one dollar. The federal government has donated $500,000 through the Canada-New Brunswick Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, which plans to build 3,400 new early learning childcare centres across the country by March 31, 2026. The location was strategically chosen next to key community assets, like the community pool, Bath Community School playground, and various outdoor trails. 'A network of trails that will support outdoor learning through our newly certified forest school educator. This facility is ideally positioned to enhance the educational experience of our younger swimmers. Its proximity to Bath Community School will also strengthen collaboration between the two institutions,' said Dross. The project aims to immediately offer six infant spaces and six more shortly. Lepage highlighted the importance of the connection between community and childhood education. 'They say that it takes a village to raise a child, and this community has undeniably played a vital role in ensuring that more children have access to safe educational daycare environments,' said LePage. LePage is thrilled to embark on this new journey in early childhood education and aspires for future generations to cherish their learning capacity. 'In 53 more years, hopefully, some new and a lot more kids will have gone through this daycare. And remember, as you do today, of the importance of getting infrastructures,' said LePage. Bath Step Ahead is a non-profit organization serving the community of Bath and the surrounding area. The centre supports early childhood development, healthy parent-child interaction, and family wellness services. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Barnburner' expected in Golden-LePage matchup in Maine's 2nd District
May 27—It's only been about six months since Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden survived what was billed as the fight of his political life, narrowly winning reelection in a Republican-leaning district against a former NSCAR driver endorsed by Donald Trump and U.S. House Speaker Michael Johnson. Yet, Golden, who eked out a victory over Austin Theriault even though Trump won the 2nd District by 9 points, is already locked into the next battle of his political life — this time against Paul LePage, a former two-term Republican governor whose base of support rests solidly in the 2nd Congressional District. "We thought it was exciting last time," said Daniel Shea, a professor of government at Colby College in Waterville. "It's going to be a barnburner, I'll tell you that." Once again, Maine's 2nd District will be one of the top — if not the top — pick-up opportunities for Republicans in the House of Representatives. Golden is one of the few Democratic House members representing a Trump district. At the same time, history suggests House Republicans will be facing headwinds in the midterm elections, given that their party controls the White House and Trump will not be on the ballot. Primaries for each party are still a year away, so there is time for other candidates to emerge. Although State Auditor and former Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap is considering a primary challenge against Golden, political observers see the field as largely set barring an extraordinary insurgency in either party or a strong third-party candidate. The official campaign arm of the House Democrats has already made it clear that Golden is their guy. On the other side, the official campaign arm of House Republicans has promoted a poll commissioned by a conservative group showing LePage leading Golden in the district. And Theriault ruled out a run and endorsed LePage, urging other Republicans to do the same to avoid a potentially costly and contentious primary. Dunlap said in an interview Friday that he has been having "overwhelmingly positive" conversations and also hearing some concern about his potential primary challenge to Golden. Before he decides, he needs to consider how such a campaign will impact his family and whether it's worth leaving a job he's really enjoying. "A lot of those discussions need to happen," Dunlap said. Both Golden and LePage are well-known to 2nd District voters and have compelling biographies. Golden enlisted in the Marines after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and served in combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, before returning home, earning a degree from Bates College, working as a congressional aide for Republican U.S. Senator Susan Collins, serving in the Maine House and being elected to Congress in 2018. LePage grew up in poverty and became homeless for a short period after escaping an abusive household. With the help of former U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe's first husband, LePage was admitted to and earned a degree from Husson College — now Husson University. He went on to have successful careers as a turnaround specialist in the forest products industry and as general manager of Marden's before becoming the mayor of Waterville and then Maine's 74th governor. Shea said the race has interesting dynamics for each candidate. LePage is well-known, so he won't have to spend time or money to build name recognition. But many voters already have their minds made up about him. "The good news is, for a lot of voters in the 2nd CD, LePage is well-regarded," Shea said. Golden has the advantage of incumbency as he seeks a fifth term, but that edge has its limits. While Shea said incumbents usually face their most difficult reelection races for their second or third terms, that hasn't been the case with Golden, who has faced a series of tough opponents in his right-leaning district. "Jared Golden is confronting it every single race. He's had to work really hard to keep that seat," Shea said. "It's very rare for incumbents who are not widely out of sync with their district or confronting a scandal to lose." In an interview after announcing his decision to seek reelection, Golden said he is running for reelection to Congress, rather than governor or the U.S. Senate, to help Democrats break the Republican trifecta in Washington. Republicans control the White House, Senate and House and are using their dominance to push for cuts to Medicaid and tax breaks to wealthy Americans, efforts criticized by Golden last week. "I'm not really interested in standing aside and letting (LePage) walk into Congress, because I think he's bad for Maine and for the people I represent in the Maine 2nd Congressional District," Golden said. "The collective voice of my constituents is decidedly in favor of more health care coverage not less." Aides for LePage would not make him available for an interview for this story. But the former governor has been making the rounds on conservative radio and TV programs to accuse Golden of neglecting his district. LePage's campaign has been active on social media. As in previous campaigns, LePage is focusing on welfare reform and advocating for a national policy to put people's photos on EBT cards used to distribute public benefits, while also joining the backlash against transgender athletes. "MAINE NEEDS A STRONGER VOICE IN CONGRESS," LePage said in an X post on Wednesday. "Straight Talk. Someone with a record of creating jobs, fighting the woke extremism, cutting wasteful spending, safeguarding hospitals, protecting taxpayers, defending the 2nd Amendment, and always looking out for seniors who rely on Social Security and Medicare." Golden is already looking to remind voters about the controversial and unpopular parts of LePage's record, while also highlighting how the former governor has mostly lived in Florida since leaving office, only returning to mount comeback attempts. Golden recalled in an interview how LePage in 2017 reportedly said in a private meeting that the Lewiston legislative delegation, of which he was a member, should be "rounded up and executed in Kennedy Park." LePage's aids denied the comment was made, as did others who were present at the meeting. Golden, who was the assistant leader of House Democrats during the last two years of LePage's term as governor, also recalled how LePage vetoed MaineCare expansion seven times and then refused to implement the expansion after it was approved in a statewide vote. And when Golden unseated Republican Bruce Poliquin in the 2nd District in 2018 in a ranked-choice election, LePage wrote "stolen election" on the official certification of election results. "When I won in 2018, he became the originator of the stolen election lie," Golden said. "He literally wrote it on my election certificate, 'stolen election,' a prelude to what happened in early 2021," referring to the riots at the U.S. Capitol fueled by Trump's unsubstantiated claims. After joining the race this month, LePage unveiled a new stolen election accusation, claiming without evidence on WVOM radio that his decisive 2022 loss to Democratic Gov. Janet Mills was because "it was bought (and) we had noncitizens and the undocumented voting." Noncitizens are not allowed to vote in Maine. Trump is expected to loom large over this election, just like last year, when Golden refused to endorse President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris. Golden also wrote an op-ed predicting a Trump victory, saying "I'm OK with that," downplaying concerns that his reelection would lead to the downfall of democracy. LePage, who during his unsuccessful 2022 bid for governor ran as a more toned-down version of the firebrand governor the nation came to know, has fully embraced Trump and his first few months in office during his recent radio interviews. "I have a similar style that the president has," LePage told conservative radio host Howie Carr. "Actually, I think I like his style this time around. This time around, he's really busting down the doors. He's had four years, so he knows where the bodies are buried and he is uncovering him. I'm telling ya, I'm so proud of him right now. I think President Trump is doing a phenomenal job." Just this week, LePage told WGAN Newsradio that he would work closely to execute Trump's agenda, promising to "get an audience with the president if need be." He embraced the "big, beautiful" budget bill advanced by House Republicans, saying "it's so important to this country," even though the bill is projected to add $5 trillion to the national deficit and LePage has raised concerns over the deficit. That budget bill was condemned by Golden as "reckless," citing the proposed cuts to Medicaid. Republicans, Golden said in a written statement, are "ramming through an extreme agenda that takes health care away from the working poor and borrows trillions of dollars to fund a package of tax cuts tilted in favor of those at the top." Copy the Story Link
Epoch Times
06-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Former Maine Gov. LePage Announces Congressional Bid in GOP Stronghold Held by Democrat
Former Maine Gov. Paul LePage announced on Monday he's running to represent the state's 2nd congressional district in an effort to unseat a Democrat incumbent in the GOP stronghold. LePage, a Republican, confirmed his congressional bid in a social media post on Monday. 'I do not need a job, I am running to protect our Maine jobs. I am running to serve the people of Maine and help the president fix Washington,' LePage wrote in LePage, 76, served two terms as governor from 2011 through 2019. When he was The former governor said more voices are needed to defend against those working against the president and his agenda. 'The entrenched interests are fighting President [Donald] Trump at every turn as he works to fix problems,' LePage added in his Related Stories 5/2/2025 4/16/2025 LePage's congressional bid sets up a challenge against Democratic incumbent Rep. Jared Golden in a largely rural district that heavily favored Trump in each of his three elections. On Monday, Golden, 42, said in a LePage, an early Trump supporter, moved to Florida after leaving the governor's office in 2019 and later re-established residency in Maine. Additionally, a spokesperson for Golden said the congressman is not focused on reelection, but rather on protecting the state's fishing communities, fighting health care cuts, and working to secure jobs at the Bath Iron Works shipyard. Golden won reelection to Congress through Maine's Golden, in his reelection bid, said he was an independent voice and campaigned on his willingness to work with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. 'I've been one of the most independent-minded members of Congress, one of the most bipartisan,' Golden said during an October debate. Golden said he voted against President Joe Biden more than any other House Democrat. The Democrat also promoted his advocacy for the lobster industry, which is a big part of the economy in a region known for its lobster fishing and logging. The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) issued a statement in response to LePage's bid to challenge Golden in the GOP stronghold. 'Jared [Golden] rubber stamps the radical Left transgender agenda because 90 percent of his donors are out-of-state liberals,' (NRCC) said in a NTD, sister media of The Epoch Times, reached out to his Maine office to verify this claim and did not receive a response by the time of publication. LePage's congressional bid represents the second attempt at a political comeback after his retirement after he lost to Gov. Janet Mills in 2022. He blamed his election loss on the gubernatorial contest's focus on abortion rights. LePage said during a debate that he would veto a bill banning abortions at 15 weeks. Since Republicans already hold a slim majority in the lower chamber, the 2nd congressional district in Maine will be one of the most-watched House races in the country. The midterm elections will be held in November 2026. A total of 468 seats, including 33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats, are up for grabs. The Associated Press contributed to this report. From NTD News
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Donald Trump before Donald Trump' tries for a comeback in Maine
The former Maine governor who has called himself 'Donald Trump before Donald Trump' has launched a campaign to take over the seat held by Democratic Rep. Jared Golden. Paul LePage, who served as governor of Maine from 2011 to 2019, on Monday announced a run for the state's swingy second district, which Golden won last November by less than a point in a ranked-choice vote. 'I do not need a job, I am running to protect our Maine jobs,' LePage said in a statement on social media announcing his candidacy. 'I am running to serve the people of Maine and help the president fix Washington.' The bombastic Republican, who regularly stoked controversy as governor, stepped aside after eight years overseeing the state and moved to Florida. He ran again for the post against Gov. Janet Mills in 2022, losing by nearly 13 points. In 2019, shortly after leaving the governor's mansion, LePage made headlines for suggesting that Democrats' money came from Jewish donors, 'for the most part.' In 2011, he initially refused to attend a Martin Luther King Jr. Day Breakfast, and told an enraged NAACP to 'kiss my butt' when the organization complained. Golden, a four-term House rep, has survived in his seat by tracking to the political center. President Donald Trump won the second district by around six points in 2020. LePage carried the district in his recent loss to Mills. During the 2024 election, Golden did not endorse former Vice President Kamala Harris and he's banded with Republicans on energy policy. The Cook Political Report lists the seat as a tossup. 'The entrenched interests are fighting President Trump at every turn as he works to fix problems,' LePage said. 'We need more straight talk to help take back Washington. We need more real-world business experience, those who know how to create jobs.'
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Donald Trump before Donald Trump' tries for a comeback in Maine
The former Maine governor who has called himself 'Donald Trump before Donald Trump' has launched a campaign to take over the seat held by Democratic Rep. Jared Golden. Paul LePage, who served as governor of Maine from 2011 to 2019, on Monday announced a run for the state's swingy second district, which Golden won last November by less than a point in a ranked-choice vote. 'I do not need a job, I am running to protect our Maine jobs,' LePage said in a statement on social media announcing his candidacy. 'I am running to serve the people of Maine and help the president fix Washington.' The bombastic Republican, who regularly stoked controversy as governor, stepped aside after eight years overseeing the state and moved to Florida. He ran again for the post against Gov. Janet Mills in 2022, losing by nearly 13 points. In 2019, shortly after leaving the governor's mansion, LePage made headlines for suggesting that Democrats' money came from Jewish donors, 'for the most part.' In 2011, he initially refused to attend a Martin Luther King Jr. Day Breakfast, and told an enraged NAACP to 'kiss my butt' when the organization complained. Golden, a four-term House rep, has survived in his seat by tracking to the political center. President Donald Trump won the second district by around six points in 2020. LePage carried the district in his recent loss to Mills. During the 2024 election, Golden did not endorse former Vice President Kamala Harris and he's banded with Republicans on energy policy. The Cook Political Report lists the seat as a tossup. 'The entrenched interests are fighting President Trump at every turn as he works to fix problems,' LePage said. 'We need more straight talk to help take back Washington. We need more real-world business experience, those who know how to create jobs.'
