PORTLAND (AP) — The mayor of the Maine city of Portland is discussing setting a citywide wage. Mayor Michael Brennan said he will hold the first of several meetings on Thursday to examine the city having its own minimum wage. He first raised the idea during his state of the city address in January. The […]
Maine
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Legislature celebrates state’s Franco-American heritage
AUGUSTA — The Maine Legislature on Wednesday celebrated the state’s large population of Franco-Americans during a ceremony at the State House. The 13th annual event featured the induction of seven more Mainers into the state’s Franco-American Hall of Fame. The inductees included Mary Rice-DeFosse of Lewiston, Leo Pepin of Augusta, the Rev. Ron Labarre of […]
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Maine House rejects bill to expand work for minors
AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine’s Democratic-led House has rejected a bill to change the work permit process for minors and allow children less than 16 years old to work in bowling alleys or movie theatres. Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s administration said teens often have to wait a long time to get work permits over the summer. […]
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Price of Maine heating oil drops
AUGUSTA (AP) — A government survey says the average price of Maine heating oil has fallen 4 cents to $3.80 per gallon. In its weekly survey, the Governor’s Energy Office said Wednesday the current price of heating oil is 11 cents more than this time last year. The survey said greater demand for heating fuel […]
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Troubled Maine transport company paid extra $1.2M last month
PORTLAND (AP) — A state lawmaker is demanding answers after a company under fire for its poor performance in providing non-emergency rides to Maine Medicaid patients was paid an extra $1.2 million last month. State Rep. Drew Gattine said he noticed that Connecticut-based Coordinated Transportation Solutions was paid $3.3 million in February while in previous […]
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UMA cuts 24 positions, announces phase-out of 2 associate degrees
AUGUSTA — The University of Maine at Augusta will phase out associate degree programs in veterinary technology and nursing and 24 full- and part-time positions will be eliminated in order to address a budget shortfall in 2015, according to a letter UMA President Allyson Handley sent to faculty and staff on Tuesday. UMA’s Bangor campus […]
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Maine Senate backs bill to arm forest rangers
AUGUSTA (AP) — A bill that would allow Maine’s forest rangers to carry firearms is moving forward in the Democratic-controlled state Legislature. In a 24-11 vote Tuesday, the Senate endorsed Republican Rep. Larry Dunphy’s bill, which won initial approval in the House earlier this month. Officials estimate it would cost nearly $87,000. Rangers would have […]
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LePage honors Maine’s adjutant general with award
AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine’s adjutant general has been honored by Gov. Paul LePage with the Legion of Merit military award. The award was presented Tuesday by the governor to Brig. Gen. James Campbell for outstanding achievements and conduct. The award is given to its members by the U.S. Air Forces. Gov. Paul LePage praised Campbell […]
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LePage blasts Maine lawmakers on solar efforts
AUGUSTA — Republican Gov. Paul LePage on Tuesday launched a fusillade of criticism against the Legislature’s Democratic majority for supporting bills that promote solar energy during one of the coldest winters in recent history. Rolling out a new proposal on energy, LePage said the focus of “liberal” lawmakers on solar is misguided because many Maine […]
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Maine House takes up struggling Medicaid expansion bill
AUGUSTA — About a week after it passed the Senate, but with less than the two-thirds support needed to muscle past a certain gubernatorial veto, the Maine House of Representatives on Tuesday will consider a bill aimed at expanding Medicaid to more than 70,000 low-income Mainers as part of the federal Affordable Care Act. The […]