AUGUSTA —Bills addressing issues ranging from slot machines to renewable energy to revamping a state-sponsored health care rides program await lawmakers Wednesday at the State House. The first week of the “short session,” which is set to end in April, starts this week. But topping the list is what appears to be a more than […]
budget
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Bipartisan budget agreement clears Congress
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress sent President Barack Obama legislation Wednesday scaling back across-the-board cuts on programs ranging from the Pentagon to the national park system, adding a late dusting of bipartisanship to a year more likely to be remembered for a partial government shutdown and near-perpetual gridlock. Obama’s signature was assured on the measure, which […]
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Posted inRiver Valley
Dixfield selectmen approve 2014 Water Department budget
DIXFIELD — The Board of Selectmen voted 4-1 Monday to approve a 2014 budget of $359,230 for the Dixfield Water Department. Chairman Mac Gill and Selectmen Hart Daley, Dana Whittemore and Bob Withrow voted to approve the budget, while Selectman Scott Belskis voted against it. In other business, the board voted 4-0 to change the […]
Posted inFranklin, The Franklin Journal
Franklin County to hold hearing on $1.1 million unorganized territory budget
FARMINGTON — The Franklin County commissioners will hold a public hearing Tuesday on a proposed $1.1 million unorganized territory budget for 2014-15. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. Dec. 17 at the Franklin County Courthouse. The budget as is represents a $251,580 decrease from the current budget. The lower budget is mainly due to […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine budget task force proposes eliminating $40 million in tax breaks
AUGUSTA — Democrats in the Legislature call a plan submitted to the budget-writing Appropriations Committee on Thursday a roadmap to closing $40 million worth of tax breaks — largely ones for businesses. Republicans quickly labeled it a scheme to increase taxes by $80 million. Sen. Anne Haskell, D-Portland — co-chairwoman of a special task force […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Rotundo continues to press LePage administration on supplemental budget
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage’s refusal to submit a budget revision bill this fiscal year has spurred Democrats in the Legislature to take the lead in crafting a supplemental budget, something that hasn’t happened in Maine in recent memory. But by taking the budget reins, Democrats drew strong criticism from Republicans. Sen. Dawn Hill, D-Cape […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Lawmakers start crafting a supplemental budget
AUGUSTA — Maine lawmakers pushed forward with a plan to craft a supplemental budget Tuesday in order to address revenue shortfalls because Gov. Paul LePage says he won’t submit a proposal to fix a budget he tried to spike. The supplemental budget is typically submitted by the governor but LePage’s office says he doesn’t intend […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
GOP, Obama line up behind modest budget deal
WASHINGTON — Top Republicans and President Barack Obama are lining up behind a modest but hard-won bipartisan budget agreement that seeks to replace a portion of tough spending cuts facing the Pentagon and domestic agencies. The deal to ease those cuts for two years is aimed less at chipping away at the nation’s $17 trillion […]
Posted inFranklin, The Franklin Journal
Livermore Town Office gets new alarm system
LIVERMORE — A new building alarm system has been installed at the Town Office. A power surge on Nov. 25 damaged the system, requiring the replacement, Administrative Assistant Kurt Schaub said Wednesday. A Seacoast Security representative estimated the cost would not exceed $600 and included an upgraded keypad and smoke detectors, he said. The power […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Collins defends vote against drone civilian casualty reporting
AUGUSTA — Sen. Susan Collins’ vote against an amendment to an intelligence budget bill that would require the U.S. to tally and report civilian casualties in drone strikes has caught the attention of a national blogger who argues Collins’ early vote could put the entire 2014 Senate Intelligence Authorization Act at risk. The vote could […]