John Baldacci News

For the LGBT communities of Maine, Washington, New Jersey and Michigan, today marks the end of months-long battles on their rights, as voters head to the polls and cast their votes for marriage referendums, a new governor and employment protections.

AUGUSTA – Governor John E. Baldacci today signed an executive order forming a task force to make recommendations on the implementation of a new medical marijuana law approved Tuesday by Maine voters.

The law expanding access to marijuana for medical reasons passed by voters Tuesday needs changes to make it workable, said Maine Gov.

The distance between 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. and Main Street seems a lot shorter in the aftermath of Election Day 2009, which saw Republicans post important victories across the nation, including in the Westchester county executive's race.

Supporters of marriage equality for same-sex couples post a sign on Election Day.

The stars seemed aligned for supporters of gay marriage. They had Maine's governor, legislative leaders and major newspapers on their side, plus a huge edge in campaign funding.

One year after California's Proposition 8 struck down gay marriage in the largest state in the Union, Maine has become the latest battleground in the debate over the definition of marriage.

Tuesday's off-year election might not have the high stakes of the 2008 presidential election, but there are several significant races worth watching: New York's 23rd Congressional District Why it matters: A conservative backlash against a moderate Republican candidate propelled this race into national headlines as proof of an ongoing family feud ...

Bolstered by out-of-state money and volunteers, both sides jockeyed Monday to boost turnout for a Maine referendum that could give gay-rights activists in the U.S. their first victory at the ballot box on the deeply divisive issue of same-sex marriage.

Ten million new doses of vaccine against the H1N1 influenza virus will become available in the United States this week, Obama administration officials said over the weekend.

North America's largest utility company Hydro-Quebec has announced it will pay $4.4 billion for transmission lines of New Brunswick Power, a deal that would help the company secure greater access to electricity markets in the U.S. Hydro-Quebec announced Thursday that it expects to spend up to $23 billion over the next decade to boost its hydro ...

Kansas crop farmer Terry Lawrence first read about Maine's ballot box showdown over gay marriage from online news sites catering to conservative Christians.

Gov. John Baldacci: Maine's Unlikely Gay Rights Advocate Discusses 'Question One' with Rachel Maddow The Maine Governor lays down a solid, constitutionally-based case for maintaing equal marriage rights in his state.

The crusade for gay marriage in America could suffer a stinging rebuke or score a historic victory, depending on how Maine voters cast their ballots in a deadlocked showdown that the polls show could go either way.

Acknowledging his past opposition to gay marriages, Gov. John Baldacci is urging Mainers to vote against the ballot proposal to repeal the state's same-sex marriage law.

Maine voters will make history next month when they cast their ballots on whether to legalize same-sex marriage in the state - one way or another.

Voters in Maine will decide next week whether to overturn the legislation signed by Gov.

LEWISTON a ' Corporations from all over Maine, and some from outside, have rallied around Gov.

AUGUSTA – The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is putting thousands of Mainers to work, improving vital State infrastructure and helping families through the toughest economic period since the Great Depression, Governor John E. Baldacci said today.

There's a dust-up brewing along Maine's education trail as those who want to repeal the state's new school consolidation law face down those who want the law to stay on the books.