AUGUSTA (AP) — Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s administration has gotten approval to spend up to $5,000 to defend a state commission against a $500 fine lodged by Maine’s Democratic attorney general.
A hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 12-13 at Kennebec County Superior Court.
Attorney General Janet Mills filed a civil complaint claiming a commission tasked with reforming public education funding intentionally violated the law by excluding the public from an April meeting
LePage withdrew the executive branch from the commission following media attention. His chief legal counsel, Avery Day, is representing the commission.
On July 8, the attorney general’s office authorized the commission to contract with Bangor lawyer Erik Stumpfel at an hourly rate of $225. The authorization includes mileage reimbursement and ends next July.
The Times Record Sustaining Sponsor
We believe a community must be informed to thrive. bowdoin.edu
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less