Here’s a popular citizen idea: trim the size of the Legislature. If we did, we’d have fewer lawmakers to propose spending bills and less support costs to staff and administer Maine’s yearly sessions. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures Maine is ranked 40 when it comes to total population but it has the […]
budget
Posted inFranklin, The Franklin Journal
Livermore Falls budget review ongoing
LIVERMORE FALLS — Selectmen began to examine the proposed budget recently with three department heads going over four budgets. Selectmen have taken no action on any of the budgets presented. The process will continue at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the Town Office. Public Works foreman Billy Nichols told selectmen on Feb. 6 that […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. LePage hits Dems over budget
PORTLAND — Gov. Paul LePage on Friday called Senate Democrats obstructionists for voting against a proposed state budget that would close a $120 million shortfall. A Democratic senator responded by calling the budget proposal “short-sighted with long-term consequences.” The Republican governor said Republicans, House Democrats and some Senate Democrats were willing to cooperate in reaching […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Bill would eliminate pensions for any state employees who commit felonies
AUGUSTA, Maine — An after-deadline bill submitted by a Republican lawmaker would allow courts to revoke pensions for state employees convicted of felony crimes in connection with their work. The bill was submitted just two weeks after it was learned that the former Maine Turnpike Authority director, who has pleaded guilty to stealing tens of […]
Posted inMaine
Analysis: DHHS budget compromise patched for the moment
AUGUSTA — With its preliminary approval by the Maine House of Representatives on Tuesday, one would think the Department of Health and Human Services budget compromise was still intact. And it is, but not before it wasn’t. The proposal that is expected to come out of the House on Thursday likely will look a bit […]
Posted inRiver Valley
Mountain Valley school district learns of possible state aid boost
DIXFIELD — Superintendent Tom Ward and the RSU 10 board kicked off the 2012-13 budget development process Monday with news of a possible increase in state aid. Ward explained that valuations in the 12 district towns have remained essentially flat, unlike last year when the overall values increased by $45 million. With more value, state […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Health providers gird for DHHS cuts under compromise deal
Lawmakers may have reached a bipartisan deal to close a budget gap at the Department of Health and Human Services, but health care providers are still bracing for deep cuts. Members of the Legislature’s budget committee pushed back against Gov. Paul LePage’s proposal to drop coverage and tighten eligibility for some MaineCare beneficiaries, but left […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Poland’s proposed budget up for review
POLAND — The proposed 2013 budget for the town is available for public inspection at the Town Office and online, Town Manager Rosemary Kulow told selectmen Tuesday. The proposal is comparable to the current year’s budget, standing at a little more than $12 million. Selectmen also learned through a communication from Androscoggin County commissioners that […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. LePage attacks bipartisan budget proposal
AUGUSTA — A bipartisan budget package aimed at erasing a looming $221 million shortfall is “full of gimmicks” and lacks structural changes needed over the long haul to make state Medicaid services affordable to taxpayers, Gov. Paul LePage charged Monday. LePage lobbed heavy criticism at the Appropriations Committee, which has been working for weeks on […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
School expansions big part of Lewiston’s capital budget plan
LEWISTON — Need for room at Lewiston Middle School and the city’s elementary schools is pushing the capital budget for the city, staff said Tuesday. City Administrator Ed Barrett presented a list of capital projects across the city to a joint meeting of the City Council, Planning Board and Finance Committee. All told, the city’s Capital […]