Gov LePage Apparently Not Interested in Sponsoring Online Registry Bill Showing Welfare Benefits

Gov. Paul LePage isn't showing interest in sponsoring a bill by the Lewiston mayor to create an online registry of residents receiving welfare benefits. Peter Steele, LePage's communication director, tells the Sun Journal there's no plan for the governor to submit such a bill. Mayor Robert Macdonald said in a column in the Twin City Times that he plans to submit the bill. He told the Sun Journal the idea wasn't to publicly embarrass welfare recipients, but to make the information available to the public to fight welfare fraud and abuse. Macdonald says he submitted the proposal to local lawmakers, who had until Friday to submit proposed bill titles for legislation to be considered in January. (AP)