AUGUSTA (AP) — Augusta business and cultural leaders are looking for input on the future of the dilapidated Colonial Theater. The Augusta Downtown Alliance and the nonprofit that owns the facility are holding a public meeting on Thursday to discuss the century-old theater on Water Street that has fallen into disrepair since it closed in […]
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Bill to restore state employee pay raises draws emotional testimony
AUGUSTA — A pair of Maine State Police troopers were among dozens of state workers who told the Legislature’s budget-writing Appropriations Committee on Monday that state merit and longevity pay increases that were frozen in 2013 are taking a toll on their family finances. The two were testifying in support of a bill, LD 1639, […]
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Maine CDC officials decline invitations to testify
AUGUSTA — A legislative committee wants to hear about a document-shredding scandal from Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention officials, but none of the officials invited to testify has agreed to do so. It was unclear Monday whether the Government Oversight Committee would exercise its power to subpoena the officials at the heart of […]
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Maine program to curb elder financial exploitation
AUGUSTA — Maine officials rolled out a new program on Monday designed to bolster protections against the financial exploitation of the elderly by training staff at banks and credit unions to be aware of red flags and to properly report them. The Senior$afe program, which will also make educational materials available at banks, aims to put […]
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Maine panel explores regulating ‘narrow band’ insurance networks
AUGUSTA — A legislative panel is working on how Maine might regulate so-called “narrow band” networks offered by health insurance providers. The Insurance and Financial Services Committee on Thursday again tabled a pair of bills that seek to improve disclosure for patients and health care providers and to determine limits for how far a patient […]
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Maine House votes 114-21 in favor of revenue sharing bill
UPDATED 1:25 P.M.: LD 1762 advances in the Maine House after a 114-21 vote. AUGUSTA – A bill meant to restore $40 million in state revenue sharing for cities and towns will go before the Maine House of Representatives today. The bill, LD 1762, was approved by the Legislature’s budget-writing Appropriations Committee earlier this week on […]
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State committee looks to clarify ‘narrow network’ health plans
AUGUSTA — A bill before the Legislature aims to protect health insurance consumers by requiring more upfront disclosure on whether a new plan will cover a patient’s current doctor and medical facilities. Co-sponsored by state Sens. Dawn Hill, D-Cape Neddick, and Margaret Craven, D-Lewiston, the bill, LD 1629, would make sure consumers and health care […]
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LePage lays out major initiatives for job creation, lowering taxes in State of the State
The state’s chief executive discussed most major policy areas — from energy and education to welfare reform — and reiterated his opposition to Medicaid expansion and desire to reform welfare. But the most sweeping new policy proposals focused on economic development, lowering taxes and fighting drug abuse in Maine. As was the case in his […]
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Local lawmakers offer mixed reaction to LePage speech
AUGUSTA — Depending on whom you asked Tuesday night, Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s third State of the State Address was either a divisive missive and the launch of a re-election campaign or a measured message meant to create a sense of urgency and unity. “He was trying to keep it addressed to the state of […]
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LePage to lay out initiatives for economic development in Tuesday’s State of the State
State of the State online Gov. Paul LePage’s State of the State address will be broadcast live online tonight. The video will be shown alongside an live discussion of the speech and Maine politics. The speech and discussion start at 7 p.m. AUGUSTA — The focus will likely be on job creation and economic development initiatives […]