AUGUSTA — Negotiations between Maine legislative leaders over the state budget ended abruptly on Wednesday, with both sides blaming each other for the breakdown that could lead to a state government shutdown if a deal remains elusive at the end of the month. The leaders of the House and Senate have been meeting behind closed doors […]
budget
Posted inRiver Valley
Votes still being counted for Dixfield wind ordinance ballot question
DIXFIELD — Votes were still being counted late Tuesday night to determine the results of Dixfield’s referendum ballot, including an article that would repeal the town’s Wind Energy Facility Ordinance and replace it with an amended draft. Tuesday’s vote on the wind ordinance was the latest in a long series of votes stretching back to […]
advertisement
Posted inMaine
Budget deal with lower income tax, higher sales taxes seems near
AUGUSTA — Top legislators are working feverishly behind closed doors on a budget deal that would include broad income tax cuts and an expansion and increase in the sales tax. A document obtained by the Bangor Daily News on Tuesday outlined several pieces of a tax reform plan being considered by leadership in the House […]
Posted inFranklin
RSU 9 board to discuss next step in budget process
FARMINGTON — Regional School Unit 9 directors will discuss the next step in the budget process next week, after the $32.25 million school budget was rejected by voters Tuesday. The vote was 741-1,045. The proposed budget represented a 3.9 percent increase, or $1.2 million, more than this fiscal year. “I want to thank the people […]
Posted inFranklin
RSU 9 voters reject $32.25 million budget
FARMINGTON – Regional School Unit 9’s proposed $32.25 million school budget for 2015-16 failed Tuesday by a 741-1,045 vote. Only Farmington, Starks and Weld in the 10-town district approved the spending plan, which was a 3.9 percent increase, or $1.2 million, from the current budget. Farmington voters passed it by a 262-234 vote. Starks residents […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Committee approves budget plan opposed by House GOP, LePage
AUGUSTA — A divided Maine legislative committee approved a two-year, roughly $6.6 billion state budget on Saturday that doesn’t include the income tax cuts or welfare changes sought by Gov. Paul LePage and House Republicans after legislative leaders failed during weeks of intense negotiations to strike a deal that all sides support. The measure approved […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Conservative groups push Maine Republicans to reject budget deal
AUGUSTA — Several conservative groups are calling on Republicans in the Maine Senate to reject a proposed budget that doesn’t include income tax cuts or significant changes to welfare programs. Senate Republicans struck a tentative budget deal with Democrats earlier this week but House Republicans say they refuse to approve that spending plan because it […]
Posted inMaine
Maine budget in full stall as lawmakers grapple for compromise
On Thursday, LePage again turned up the heat by going public about his displeasure with the state Senate’s Republican majority leadership. During an hourlong radio chat Thursday morning, LePage blasted Senate Republicans, again accusing them of siding with House Democrats in stymieing his efforts to lower and eventually eliminate Maine’s income tax. “The conflict is this,” […]
Posted inBethel, Oxford Hills
Bethel voters to decide on $3.7 million municipal budget
BETHEL — Residents will vote on a $3.7 million municipal budget at next week’s annual town meeting. The meeting begins at the polls Tuesday, June 9, at Crescent Park School and will continue at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, also at the school. One issue to be decided at the polls is whether the Bethel […]
Posted inRiver Valley
Peru residents to vote on $997,685 budget at June 9 polls
PERU — Residents will vote on a $997,685 municipal budget on the June 9 referendum ballot. The polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Town Office. Town Clerk Vera Parent said the town’s budget, which includes Oxford County’s assessment, is $39,329 more than the previous year. Article 4 asks if […]