AUGUSTA — In a surprise move late Monday, Democrats on the Legislature’s budget-writing Appropriations Committee voted out a bill that would restore $40 million in state revenue sharing to Maine municipalities. In a straight party-line vote, majority Democrats on the committee passed the measure on to the full Legislature on 7-0 vote without any Republicans […]
budget
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine lawmakers still negotiating on state revenue share for cities
AUGUSTA — Lawmakers on the Legislature’s budget-writing Appropriations Committee said Wednesday they were still trying to reach a compromise on about $40 million in state funding for cities and towns. A cut to local revenue-sharing, the money the state sends to municipalities to help ease the burden of property taxes, was built into the current […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
DHHS chief Mayhew says budget gap only totals $78 million
AUGUSTA — The projected budget shortfall for the state’s Health and Human Services Department will be significantly less than originally projected, the department’s commissioner said Friday. DHHS Commissioner Mary Mayhew told lawmakers on the budget-writing Appropriations Committee that the updated forecast incorporates six months of data from the current fiscal year, leading to a $30 […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Municipal officials ask lawmakers to restore revenue sharing
AUGUSTA — Further reductions in state aid to Maine cities and towns will result in cuts to essential services and skyrocketing property taxes, municipal officials told lawmakers on Wednesday. Mayors, city council members and town managers are urging lawmakers to approve a measure that would prevent the reduction of $40 million in municipal aid next year […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Senate women score legislative wins as influence grows
WASHINGTON — After decades of trying to amass power, several woman have vaulted to the top of influential congressional committees, putting them in charge of some of the most consequential legislation being considered on Capitol Hill. The $1.1 trillion spending plan Congress approved this week was the handiwork of Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Barbara Mikulski, […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
House passes $1.1 trillion bill to fund government
WASHINGTON (AP) — A $1.1 trillion spending bill for operating the government until just before next fall’s election steamed through the battle-weary House on Wednesday over tepid protests from tea party conservatives, driven by a bipartisan desire to restore painful cuts in domestic and defense programs and show disaffected voters that Congress can do its […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, sj-web
Lewiston votes on school budget today
LEWISTON — There are no lines or waiting today at the polls at Longley Elementary School gym. The polls are open for a second vote on the Lewiston school budget. Approval would allow the city to use state money that was not in the first budget when approved by voters in May. A low turnout […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Lewiston votes on school budget today
LEWISTON — There are no lines or waiting today at the polls at Longley Elementary School gym. The polls are open for a second vote on the Lewiston school budget. Approval would allow the city to use state money that was not in the first budget when approved by voters in May. A low turnout […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage says Maine must find $119 million to balance budget
AUGUSTA — Republican and House Minority Leader Kenneth Fredette, R-Newport, said late Monday afternoon that new data show a general fund revenue shortfall of $119 million in the two-year budget that started July 1, 2013, and ends June 30, 2015. The Department of Health and Human Services accounts for the vast majority of the shortfall. […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Lewiston to vote on school budget again
LEWISTON — Residents are being asked to vote Tuesday on a $58.4 million school budget for 2013-14, even though they approved it in May. The second vote is needed because the school budget was approved in May before legislators passed the state budget in June. The state budget had an additional $409,000 for Lewiston eduction. […]