AUGUSTA — A left-leaning group that advocates for the impoverished and poor in Maine will push state lawmakers for a minimum-wage hike again in 2015, organizers said Wednesday. The Maine People’s Alliance announced Wednesday it would host a news conference to discuss a new report, “Equity in the Balance,” which details the wages of Maine […]
Maine
Posted inNews
FairPoint, unions return to bargaining table with no promises
PORTLAND — Representatives of two striking unions and company officials at FairPoint Communications were scheduled to return to the bargaining table Tuesday at the request of a federal mediator, but both sides said they entered the discussion with few expectations. The meeting in Boston was called by a federal mediator assigned to the case. The […]
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Posted inMaine
Maine runs out of funds for asylum-seekers
LEWISTON — About 50 immigrant families seeking asylum in Maine will lose state-funded food stamp and Temporary Assistance to Needy Family benefits in December, according to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. About $260,000 in temporary funding for the benefits, which help 128 individuals statewide, including children, has been depleted, DHHS spokesman John […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Libby prevails in recount of Lewiston state Senate race
AUGUSTA — Nate Libby, a Lewiston Democrat, was officially declared the winner in the race for state Senate District 21 on Monday, according to Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap. Libby, who currently serves in the Maine House of Representatives and on the Lewiston City Council, was running against Republican Patti Gagne, a local insurance […]
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Maine’s lack of population growth source of economic concern
AUGUSTA — State lawmakers heard again Monday that Maine’s dwindling and aging population will continue to be one of the biggest factors in the state’s long-struggling economy. Key policymakers, including Gov. Paul LePage, are focused on a series of issues they believe would make the state a more welcoming place for job creators, including reducing […]
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Cooler water, sustained demand buoy lobster prices
ELLSWORTH — After two years of unusually high catches of lobster off the Maine coast, commercial landings of the iconic crustacean may be falling back a little in 2014. People in the lobster industry say that might not be such a bad thing. Lobsters may have started appearing in traps later this past summer than […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
AG warns Mainers to beware of aggressive new phone scam
AUGUSTA — The attorney general Friday warned Mainers to be suspicious of people calling and demanding immediate payment of a debt, especially if they require the payment be made by reloadable cash cards, such as Green Dot Money Pak, or wire service. Attorney General Janet Mills said her office has received many reports recently of […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine Democrats to name new party leader after bruising election cycle
AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine Democrats reeling from devastating election losses are preparing to choose a new leader this weekend to guide the party as it tries to recapture the faith of the state’s voters. Ben Grant, chairman of the party for the last four years, announced his decision to step down days after Democrats lost […]
Posted inLetters
R. Reed: Put forth meaningful reform
Maine welfare reform is dead. It died from lack of Dirigo spirit by elected officials. Sadly, liberals want people to believe that conservatives want to entirely gut welfare; and conservatives want people to believe liberals want to spend more. The truth is somewhere closer to the middle, but given the rhetoric and polar opposite views, […]
Posted inLocal Sports
College Hockey: No. 3 Boston University too much for Maine in 3-1 win
Boston University stole the spotlight. On a night dedicated to honoring the Black Bears’ 1999 national title team, Maine feel victim to an opponent with plenty of championship pedigree to its name. The third-ranked Terriers netted three unanswered goals in a 3-1 victory over the Black Bears on Friday in front of 4,919 fans at […]