AUGUSTA – New revelations this morning that governor Paul LePage’s office issued 7 executive orders that were never published.
In Maine, executive orders are required to be filed and posted on the state’s website within a week after being issued. The first order was signed on April 20th – and called for a review of the Maine Human Rights Commission.
This came after the Human Rights Commission criticized the governor for attempting to intervene in a discrimination case involving a midcoast diner.
Secretary of state Matthew Dunlap says the LePage administration has never had a problem in the past – but adds, this is a serious issue.
“The administration has been entirely dismissive of this. They say it was an oversight,not a big deal. Except that it is a very big deal. Executive orders have the force of law. They have an impact on every person in the state of Maine.” Matthew Dunlap, Secretary of State
Dunlap says this isn’t a message you can give the public. But the governor says he believes that was simply a clerical error by his office.
At this point, legislative leaders say they are reviewing the matter.
