AUGUSTA — A day after Maine Republicans were touting a decrease in the overall tax burden for most Mainers based on a report by the nonpartisan Truth in Accounting think tank, another report shows the state is still among the worst for overall tax burden. On Tuesday, the iconic American financial newsletter Kiplinger released an […]
Maine
Posted inOp-Eds
What Maine needs to do to prosper, part 2
Nearly six years ago, the Sun Journal published a guest column from me, “What does Maine need to prosper?” Let me examine Maine’s progress during that time, in various aspects. In 2009, I wrote, “… but cutting alone can never lead to prosperity. If it could, then by cutting and cutting and cutting some more, […]
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Maine blueberry harvest slightly below average in 2015
PORTLAND (AP) — The volume of Maine’s wild blueberry crop has increased dramatically in the last several decades, but this season’s harvest looks to have been slightly behind recent trends. The 2015 harvest is likely less than 90 million pounds, and possibly as low as 85 million, University of Maine horticulture professor David Yarborough said. […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Shriners delight parade crowd in downtown Lewiston
LEWISTON — “Here come the clowns!” exclaimed 8-year-old Caitlin Michaelis of Auburn as the spectacular parade of the 2015 Northeast Shrine Association’s Fall Field Days passed by Saturday afternoon. Caitlin had a prime position at curbside where mini-cycles, pint-sized trailer trucks and lobster boats zoomed past for nearly two hours. It was a festive atmosphere […]
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Dispute roils Land for Maine’s Future program; no end in sight
AUGUSTA — A dispute between Gov. Paul LePage and a coalition of land conservation groups and lawmakers over funding for the state’s Land for Maine’s Future program is unlikely to end anytime soon. LePage has refused to issue voter-approved funds for the program until the Legislature allows some of the revenue from timber harvested on […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Maine Small Business Coalition joins campaign finance reform push
LEWISTON — A group of local business owners threw their support Thursday to a statewide ballot effort aimed at reforming Maine’s campaign finance and political advertising disclosure laws. All are members of the Maine Small Business Coalition, which represents more than 4,000 small businesses from across the state. They said the coalition supports a yes […]
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Paul LePage wants to limit SNAP recipients to $5,000 in assets
Poll: Should Maine deny food stamps to applicants with more than $5,000 in assets? AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage has announced new rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps. LePage’s administration said any person applying for SNAP benefits would be ineligible if they had more than $5,000 in personal assets. […]
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George Mitchell backs Iran nuclear deal at Lewiston Public Library
LEWISTON — The road to real peace is long and winding, but it always beats the alternative. While former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell, an iconic Maine Democrat and global peacemaker, didn’t put it quite like that, his message to a group of about 150 gathered Tuesday could be easily summed up that way. Mitchell, who […]
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Paul LePage to promote Hire-A-Vet Campaign
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage and first lady Ann LePage are lending their support to a project that aims to hire 100 unemployed Maine veterans in 100 days. The LePages will host a 4 p.m. Wednesday reception at the governor’s mansion, the Blaine House, to showcase the Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign, according to an advisory issued Tuesday. […]
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Brakey wants to make state parks free for Maine military families
AUGUSTA — State Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, is hoping to pass a bill that would allow spouses and children of active-duty military personnel free access to Maine’s state parks. Brakey’s bill would expand a program that allows active-duty military members free access to the parks but doesn’t allow family members to have access without the […]