PORTLAND

A mural depicting Maine Gov. Paul LePage in full Ku Klux Klan regalia sparked a heated debate in Portland regarding the boundaries of free speech.

The street art was painted on a wall belonging to the East End Wastewater Treatment Facility sometime within the past week.

Next to the caricature of LePage read the words “racist,” ‘’homophobe,” ‘’moron,” and finally “governor” — which had a red line painted through it.

Mayor Ethan Strimling pushed for the mural’s removal on Tuesday, saying it bordered on hate speech. But city officials permitted the mural to remain.

Portland Water District officials say the wall along the city’s Eastern Promenade has been open to graffiti artists for 15 years.

Someone altered the mural Tuesday night to remove all KKK imagery and instead add Mickey Mouse ears to LePage’s likeness.

House lacks support for special session on LePage

LePage has avoided immediate legislative punishment for an obscenity-laden voicemail and threats he directed toward a Democratic lawmaker.

Democratic House Speaker Mark Eves said Tuesday he’s disappointed with the lack of support for a special session addressing LePage’s conduct.

Democrats said 84 representatives voted “yes” while 67 didn’t respond or voted no. Two Republicans responded “yes” and two said “no.” A special session requires majority approval from both parties.

The Senate GOP leader says he won’t poll senators, saying he’d support reconvening if impeachment was ruled out.

The governor told WVOM-FM Tuesday he wants to “move on” after saying he wished he could challenge a lawmaker to a duel and point a gun at his forehead.

LePage apologized and blamed the media for fueling the controversy. Democrats want LePage to resign, which the governor has ruled out.

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