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LePage Circumvents Lawmakers To Retain Education Chief

Gov. Paul LePage is continuing to maneuver around state lawmakers to ensure that he keeps his pick for state education chief while avoiding the normal confirmation process. The governor has appointed Debra Plowman, a former Republican state lawmaker, as temporary deputy education chief. The move essentially allows William Beardsley to perform most of the duties as commissioner even though Plowman is now, technically speaking, his boss.

The new title changes are LePage’s latest attempt to keep Beardsley at the helm of the Department of Education. The governor has accused Democrats of conspiring to block Beardsley’s appointment. Democrats have countered that LePage is flaunting the rules governing the appointments of commissioners.

On Wednesday Bangor representative Victoria Kornfield, the lead Democrat on the education committee, asked the governor during a forum in Bangor when he planned to formally nominate a commissioner. The two had a testy exchange. After, Kornfield said some lamwakers are concerned that LePage could be violating the law.

“I know that some people on the education committee are talking to the AG about this,” Kornfield says. “And I know that there are several reports that we are supposed to have gotten, by law, we have not received. So I think it is a problem that we don’t have a commissioner.”

“Bill Beardsley is an excellent candidate, an excellent choice and you folks are just playing games,” LePage told Kornfield. “Excuse me, but that’s the truth. Thank you, I answered your question. I answered your question!”

LePage has accused Democrats of blocking Beardsley because of his statements on transgender bathroom use.

Journalist Steve Mistler is Maine Public’s chief politics and government correspondent. He is based at the State House.