Central Maine News: June 18, 2015

These are some of the stories central Maine is talking about today.

Holding a pink plastic pig and standing next to a Christmas tree, Republican Governor Paul LePage tells Mainers to demand more from their government. According to WGME the governor accused legislators of holding “secret meetings” and using dishonest money moves in order to reach a budget deal. LePage’s colorful reaction to the budget caused a stir in Augusta. The governor made it clear he is not happy with the budget and plans to make hundreds of line item vetoes to lengthen the process. The governor's staff brought out pig toys as well as a Christmas tree Wednesday afternoon. On the tree were the faces of members of the Appropriations committee and House and Senate leaders who passed the budget. The governor also said he has several hundred line item vetoes for the budget, which the legislators will have to override one by one.  LePage also said the only way the government would shut down is if Democrats vote to do that. He said the shutdown is a scare tactic. (WGME)

Gov. Paul LePage says he will veto "several hundred" items in the $6.7 billion state budget.The Republican governor vowed to use his line-item veto power to strike out hundreds of items in the budget that lawmakers sent to his desk Wednesday to "waste a little bit of their time." LePage's made the announcement at the Statehouse in front a Christmas tree decorated with ornaments that featured the faces of lawmakers. He blasted lawmakers for negotiating behind closed doors to give themselves gifts or insert money for their pet projects into the budget.Lawmakers will have to take individual override votes on each budget line that's vetoed. LePage said lawmakers have been wasting his time for five months and now he intends to waste theirs. (AP)

The Office of the Inspector General in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says the VA Maine Healthcare System is linked to nationwide problems with mental health services for veterans. The report says that many veterans have not received mental health services or have waited long periods for the services because of problems such as inappropriate scheduling practices. The office found problems with scheduling, staffing and employee morale in the mental health unit of the veterans system based in Togus. Togus Director Ryan Lilly says the facility is pleased that the review "did not substantiate the majority of the allegations."  (AP)

Fireworks sales are on the decline in Maine. Maine's ban on fireworks was lifted in 2012 and during its first full fiscal year in 2013, fireworks sales started with a boom, taking in $6,148,503. According to WCSH, the Maine Revenue Service but it's been declining since. It dropped to $4,449,178 in 2014. And with one month left in the 2015 fiscal year, sales are only at $3,144,889 so far. Owner of Big Bang Boom Fireworks said the gradual drop in popularity was expected after the ban was lifted. However, he believes that Maine can support the existing stores due to the state's size. Macmillan feels it's easier for fireworks businesses to survive in rural areas that have less fireworks restrictions and store space in rural areas is easier to find because state law requires fireworks stores to be at least 60 feet from all other buildings. (WCSH)

The cold and long winter is leading to above-average pollen levels throughout the state. Affiliated Laboratory is the oldest site in the country that collects pollen and allergy data. The company collects data every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from early April until September. According to WCSH, this spring has shown high pollen numbers, and that's not unusual, but it just happened so quickly because of the long winter. The good news is the worst of it should be over. (WCSH)

The Senate passed a bill Wednesday that would make it more difficult for parents to opt out of vaccinations for their children. It would require parents to consult with a doctor and get a signed form in order to opt out of the required vaccines for school. According to WCSH, the bill passed by wide margins in both the House and Senate, but would need more votes to override an expected veto from Gov. LePage. (WCSH)

Police in Charleston, South Carolina, are looking for a gunman who opened fire in a downtown historic black church, killing nine people. Authorities are calling the shooting a hate crime. The gunman, described as a white man in his early 20s, walked into Emanuel AME Church Wednesday night during a prayer service. Charleston Mayor Joseph Riley says, "The only reason that someone could walk into a church and shoot people praying is out of hate." (AP)

Soon after Wednesday night's deadly shooting at a historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina, a group of pastors huddled together praying in a circle across the street. Community organizer Christopher Cason said he felt certain the shootings were racially motivated. He says, "I am very tired of people telling me that I don't have the right to be angry." Cason said. "I am very angry right now." (AP)

Federal prosecutors and attorneys for former U.S. Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert will be in court Thursday to determine how the hush-money case against him will proceed. Hastert is charged with violating banking rules and lying to the FBI about promising to pay $3.5 million in hush money to conceal what a person familiar with the allegations say was sexual misconduct from Hastert's days as a high school teacher. Earlier this week, a federal judge in Chicago approved a request by prosecutors to keep some evidence against Hastert secret. (AP)

No appeals are in the courts as condemned Texas prisoner Gregory Russeau heads for execution Thursday evening. Russeau was convicted of killing a 75-year-old East Texas auto repair shop owner 14 years ago during a crack cocaine binge. Russeau would be the nation's 17th convicted killer to receive a lethal injection this year and the ninth in Texas. (AP)

The streets of downtown Chicago will be lined with hockey fans Thursday as the city celebrates the Blackhawks' third Stanley Cup win in six years. Team members, including Jonathan Toews (tayvz) and Patrick Kane, will ride on double-decker buses during a parade stretching through the city's Loop neighborhood to Michigan Avenue. Tens of thousands of fans are expected to greet the team when the buses arrive at Soldier Field for a rally starting at 11 a.m. local time. (AP)