AUGUSTA — Legislative leaders on both sides of the political aisle Tuesday defended a $6.7 billion state budget and tax bill crafted largely in secret negotiations between party leaders, saying they ran out of time to follow a more public process. Changes to a budget bill that was previously approved on a 9-4 bipartisan vote […]
budget
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine House OKs budget deal that includes tax cuts, welfare reform
AUGUSTA — A two-year state $6.6 billion budget deal tentatively agreed to by Maine’s top Democratic and Republican lawmakers and awaiting votes in the Legislature will include income tax cuts and welfare reforms but not to the extent Republican Gov. Paul LePage wanted. Lawmakers did accept some of LePage’s budget proposals including the elimination of the […]
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Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Auburn settles $34.7 million budget
AUBURN — With some last-minute tweaks to the way it handles special funds for its ice arena, Ingersoll Arena and rescue service equipment, councilors approved their fiscal year 2015-16 budget Monday. Councilors voted 5-1 to approve a budget that increases municipal spending from $34.1 million to $34.7 million — a $568,302 increase and under the […]
Posted inMaine
Price tag holds up handgun bill
AUGUSTA — Despite winning majority votes in the Maine Legislature, a bill doing away with permit requirements for those carrying a concealed handgun might be holstered because of its price tag. The bill, LD 652, will cost the state more than $200,000 a year in lost permit and fine revenue and could cost as much […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine lawmakers could vote on budget bill Tuesday
AUGUSTA — House Speaker Mark Eves said Monday that he will attempt to move the state budget forward this week by calling for a vote on a compromise budget bill. Eves spokeswoman Jodi Quintero said in communications with reporters on Monday that amendments to the budget are being drafted by the Revisor of Statutes office […]
Posted inMaine
LePage renews push to end Maine’s ‘death tax’
AUGUSTA — As the top party officials at the State House continued their ongoing negotiations on a two-year budget for Maine, Republican Gov. Paul LePage on Friday renewed his push to do away with the state’s estate tax. LePage and his conservative allies call the tax paid on inheritances valued at over $2 million a “death […]
Posted inBethel, Oxford Hills
Bethel residents approve several budget items
BETHEL — Residents overwhelmingly voted in favor of several municipal budget items at Wednesday evening’s annual town meeting at Crescent Park School. As of 8 p.m., residents were still making their way through the 38-article warrant. The proposed 2015-16 municipal budget is $3.7 million, an increase over last year’s $3.4 million. Among the articles approved […]
Posted inMaine
Democrats, Republicans blame each other for failed budget talks
AUGUSTA — Less than 24 hours after a budget deal seemed nearly complete, the path toward a compromise in the divided Legislature was foggier than ever, once again raising the likelihood of a government shutdown. A two-year, $6.7 billion spending plan passed with bipartisan support in the budget-writing Appropriations Committee last weekend but did not […]
Posted inRiver Valley
Dixfield voters reject six budget articles
DIXFIELD — Residents rejected six budget articles on Tuesday’s referendum ballot, ballot warden Theresa Hemingway said Wednesday morning. For the second-consecutive year, residents rejected the proposed Executive Department budget. The vote was 346-391. The Board of Selectmen recommended $302,113, while the Finance Committee recommended $306,513. The requested amount was $317,197. Hemingway said voters also rejected […]
Posted inRiver Valley
Rumford voters approve $7.7 million municipal budget
RUMFORD — Residents approved a $7.70 million municipal budget at Tuesday’s referendum. Each of the budget-related articles were approved by healthy margins. Residents also voted 438-854 against contracting for police services with the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office, as did neighboring Mexico. Both towns will keep their respective police departments. Residents voted 745-505 in favor of […]