AUGUSTA — Lawmakers on the Appropriations Committee cut numerous health and human services programs and hospital funding during a late-night flurry of amendments Wednesday to Gov. Paul LePage’s $6.3 billion biennial budget proposal. Among the approved amendments was a cut of 1.4 percent across a range of programs in the Department of Health and Human […]
Maine
Posted inOur View
Republicans must part ways with governor
With the budget debate in Augusta approaching a climax, it is worth remembering where we started: In January, Gov. Paul LePage proposed raising local taxes to balance the state’s budget. He proposed ending the Homestead Property Tax Exemption for those under 65. A clear tax increase for homeowners. The governor proposed ending the Circuit Breaker […]
advertisement
Posted inMaine
Coalition makes push for private gun sale background checks
AUGUSTA — Former Lewiston Mayor Larry Gilbert joined a group of lawmakers, law enforcement officers and others Wednesday calling on the Legislature to pass a bill that requires background checks for private gun sales in Maine. Gilbert, a member of the Coalition for a Safer Maine, led a news conference at the State House, saying […]
Posted inMaine
Gang of 11 still hopes plan can save state budget
AUGUSTA — A bill meant to bring sweeping reforms to Maine’s tax system was reduced to a letter Wednesday. The Taxation Committee voted down the legislation before drafting a letter to the Appropriations Committee with details of the proposed tax-policy changes, which include an increase in sales tax and a decrease in the income-tax rate. […]
Posted inMaine
Committee skirts open-meeting law to work on state budget
AUGUSTA — For weeks, lawmakers on the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee have been skirting Maine’s open-meeting law as they work to craft a $6.8 billion state budget. Some lawmakers and lobbyists said the practice has gone on for years. Committee members took their meetings behind closed doors on multiple occasions on Tuesday. Legislative […]
Posted inMaine
Maine Senate defeats measure aimed at arming school staff
Republicans supported the bill; Democrats voted against it. The bill, LD 1429, was offered by Sen. David Burns, R-Whiting. It would have allowed local school districts to decide by a district-wide referendum and school board approval whether they wanted to arm select staff members. The bill would have required those selected to carry firearms to […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine Senate to take up Medicaid expansion
AUGUSTA — Legislation to expand Maine’s Medicaid program to include roughly 70,000 more people is due for a vote in the Maine Senate. Tuesday’s expected Senate vote comes a day after the House approved the bill, along with an amendment meant to draw more Republican votes. Republicans have been cool to the expansion bill, which […]
Posted inFranklin, Lewiston-Auburn, Oxford Hills, River Valley, sj-web
Wanted: Advice for Maine’s tourists
We’d like you to give the many tourists that come to Maine some advice. No, not that kind of advice. Helpful stuff only. The kind of nuggets a friend would give if you were enjoying their fair state: The best things to do here. One or two of your favorite places to go. A couple […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
National Guard soldiers from Lewiston and Clinton earn highest non-combat medal for valor
AUGUSTA — Sgt. Mark Connor said he likes to think what he and his Maine National Guard colleague Sgt. 1st Class Joel Carver did in North Carolina in March 2011 is “what anybody would do.” Connor of Lewiston and Carver of Clinton were honored at a ceremony at the State House and awarded the Soldier’s […]