PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Regardless of what critics might say, Republican Gov. Paul LePage has done much of what he promised he’d do, pushing through tax cuts, reducing the state pension fund shortfall, paying back money owed to hospitals, and cutting Medicaid benefits that he said were too generous. And he’s commemorating his accomplishments in […]
budget
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
House OKs $642 billion defense bill, veto threat remains
WASHINGTON (AP) — Ignoring a White House veto threat, the Republican-controlled House approved a $642 billion defense budget Friday that breaks a deficit-cutting deal with President Barack Obama and restricts his authority in an election-year challenge to the Democratic commander in chief. The House voted 299-120 for the fiscal 2013 spending blueprint that authorizes money […]
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Posted inFranklin
RSU 9 to outline proposed budget Monday
FARMINGTON — Voters will be able to review next year’s school budget at a public hearing Monday at Mt. Blue High School. At 7 p. m., the Regional School Unit 9 board will present the proposed $28.9 million budget for 2012-13 in the high school gymnasium. The final increases add approximately $3 million to next […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
SAD 52 residents speak out about failed budget
GREENE — Residents told SAD 52 directors Thursday night that the 2012-13 budget was defeated last week, in part, because it was too high and positions were eliminated at the same time raises were handed out. Approximately 50 residents attended the school board meeting at Greene Central School Gym to discuss why the $23 million-plus […]
Posted inFranklin, The Franklin Journal
SAD 58 budget passes; suggested changes fail
SALEM TOWNSHIP – After two hours of discussion and decisions at SAD 58’s budget meeting Thursday night, voters approved a $9.5 million spending plan for 2012-13. Comments from the 122 voters reflected concerns about rising property taxes in Western Maine. Although the budget is approximately the same as what the district spent in 2007, many […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Demolitions get boost in Lewiston bond package
LEWISTON — The effort to demolish abandoned apartments in the downtown will get a $65,000 boost in the next year, councilors decided Tuesday. They approved a 2012-13 municipal bond package that calls for $2.9 million in capital spending for city roads, vehicles and equipment, $9 million for schools and $6.3 million for water, sewer and […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
RSU 16 budget passes even though two towns reject it
POLAND — The $18.5 million budget for Regional School Unit 16 was approved at Tuesday’s referendum by a vote of 370-312. Poland’s vote was 218-152. Mechanic Falls and Minot voters turned it down. In Mechanic Falls the vote was 73-75. In Minot it was 79-85. The votes reflected the budget’s impact on local property taxes. […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Dozens protest DHHS cuts in Augusta as Maine Senate deliberates budget
AUGUSTA — Maine lawmakers were greeted with a boisterous protest Tuesday as they headed back to finish work on the state’s budget. Dozens of people opposed to proposed cuts to the state’s Department of Health and Human Services lined the corridors to the Maine Senate and House of Representatives chanting, “Protect Maine families” and “Maine […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Auburn council questions funding arts, economic development agencies
AUBURN — There were too many questions about funding for economic development and regional arts for councilors to reach any agreement Monday night. Councilors will take up the questions of funding the Lewiston Auburn Economic Growth Council and L/A Arts at a future workshop. “In my opinion, we should make a decision about the growth […]
Posted inOur View
State budget skips the cost of tax breaks
“This Legislature will not repeat the mistakes of the past by using a one-time windfall to put a Band-Aid over our broken system in the hopes that the problem will go away,” House Speaker Robert Nutting, R-Oakland, told reporters last week. Whew. That’s a relief. Until you consider what the Republicans will do instead: Grant […]