AUGUSTA — The Maine Senate on Thursday gave initial approval to a bill meant to clarify the state’s historic preservation tax credit law. The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Margaret Craven, D-Lewiston, has ramifications for efforts to redevelop the historic Bates Mill No. 5 in downtown Lewiston. “People have been hesitant about investing in large […]
Maine
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LePage allows 2014 supplemental budget to pass into law without signature
AUGUSTA — The political battle over how to best fill about a $40 million shortfall in the state’s 2014 fiscal budget came to an unceremonious end early Thursday when Republican Gov. Paul LePage allowed a bill filling the gap to pass into law without his signature. LePage had opposed many of the proposed fixes to […]
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Maine House defeats bill to move state to popular vote for president
AUGUSTA — Lawmakers in the state’s House of Representatives on Thursday rejected a bill that would have put Maine among a group of states seeking to move away from the Electoral College to the popular vote for electing a U.S. president. The bill, LD 511, was defeated 60-85. The issue is now all but dead in the […]
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Turnpike signs bill stalls in Legislature
AUGUSTA — A bill meant to tidy up Maine’s interstate highway system by removing or moving about 81 directional and informational signs hit a speed bump in the Legislature’s Transportation Committee on Wednesday. Lawmakers voted to table the legislation, LD 1831, which is the result of a nearly yearlong effort by the Maine Turnpike Authority […]
Posted inBusiness, Lewiston-Auburn
T.G.I. Fridays in Auburn closes doors
AUBURN — Casual food and drink chain T.G.I. Fridays closed its Twin Cities’ restaurant Sunday. The Turner Street restaurant was closed due to business reasons, according to a company statement. “This was a very difficult decision, as we understand the impact it has on our guests who enjoyed dining at our restaurant and on our […]
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Cutler: Maine must find more money to fix potholes and cellphone dead zones
PORTLAND — Independent gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler announced on Tuesday that, if elected, he’ll make smoothing out potholes and eliminating cellphone dead zones among his top priorities. Cutler highlighted his proposals to tackle perhaps two of Maine’s most irritating problems, especially in rural parts of the state, during a Tuesday announcement of his 21-point plan […]
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LePage to sign bill seeking recognition of Agent Orange exposure in Canada
PORTLAND (AP) — Gov. Paul LePage is poised to sign into law a bill calling on the federal government to recognize disabilities suffered by Maine soldiers who were exposed to Agent Orange at a military base in Canada. The bill, sponsored by Democratic Sen. John Tuttle, focuses on potential exposure by Maine Army National Guard […]
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Panel looks at flood risk in Maine
AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine’s River Flow Advisory Commission is meeting again to evaluate the spring flooding risk. The panel met for the first time last month amid concerns about deep snowpack that could cause problems this spring. Since then, much of the snowpack has melted away in southern Maine, but the snowpack has grown in […]
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Opponents to removing Maine interstate signs turn out in droves
AUGUSTA — “Don’t take our signs. Don’t move our signs,” seemed to be the message to lawmakers on the Transportation Committee on Tuesday. The comments came during a public hearing on a bill that would remove 68 signs and move 13 others that point to towns, colleges, parks, ski areas and other recreational or cultural […]
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State Senate supports bill to move Maine from Electoral College
AUGUSTA — The Maine Senate voted 17-16 Tuesday in support of a bill that would move the state away from the Electoral College system when it comes to selecting a winning presidential candidate here. The bill, LD 511, would allow Maine to join a compact of states in allowing the presidential candidate who receives the […]