Lincoln County Democrats will hold the group’s monthly meeting on Monday, July 20, at the Newcastle Community Room on River Road in Newcastle. Social hour begins at 6:30 p.m.

In response to popular demand, this month’s meeting will address the ongoing investigation of Gov. Paul LePage’s involvement in the termination of the employment contract of Maine House Speaker Mark Eves at Good Will-Hinckley. The focus will be on the status of and process for the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability (OPEGA) investigation and report to the Legislature and then on next steps available to the Legislature.

Sen. Chris Johnson (D-Somerville), a member of the Government Oversight Committee which voted unanimously to ask OPEGA to conduct the investigation, will be on hand to describe the process and options available to the committee and the legislature. Also participating in the discussion will be Rep. Jeff Evangelos (I-Waldoboro/Friendship), one of the original Independent, Republican and Democratic legislators who requested an investigation of the governor's action by OPEGA, and a report back pursuant to our constitution's impeachment provisions.

Lincoln County Democrats will also hear an update from Maine People’s Alliance mid-coast organizer Caroline Ginsberg on the signature gathering campaign underway to put a raise in the minimum wage on Maine's ballot in 2016. In April, the Maine People's Alliance and Maine AFL-CIO submitted paperwork to launch a citizens' initiative to raise Maine's minimum wage to $9 in 2017 and then by $1 a year until it reaches $12 by 2020.

After that it would increase at the same rate as the cost of living. The initiative would also incrementally raise the tipped minimum wage until it matches the minimum wage for all other workers by 2024. The Secretary of State's office formally approved the petition language in early June.


The meeting will consider a resolution of support for the campaign.

All interested citizens are welcome to attend. For more information, please call (207-549-3149) or go to www.lincolncountydemocrats.org