It is reassuring to know the Maine Legislature can act swiftly in the face of an imminent crisis. Like when we can’t get a drink before 9 on St. Patrick’s Day morning. In order to preserve the “public peace, health and safety,” Rep. Barry Hobbins would move happy hour back to 6 a.m. when St. […]
Maine
Posted inbPlus
Maine’s Fancatics
LEWISTON — If the Internet has taught us anything it’s that people love cats. And if my recent reader query taught me anything, it’s that Mainers really love their cats. From actual, I-would-not-make-this-up emails: “Blackie loves to lay on momma’s pillow at night. Cranberry loves to be right beside daddy in bed, and Julie loves […]
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Posted inLocal Sports
College roundup: Maine, Ouellette shut off UMass
AMHERST, Mass. — Martin Ouellette recorded his third career shutout as the University of Maine men’s ice hockey team blanked UMass 2-0 on Friday night at the Mullins Center. Ouellette stole the show for the Black Bears, making numerous outstanding saves en route to the victory. With the game scoreless, Ouellette made a save, robbing […]
Posted inMaine
Second request for gun data puts new law on fast track
LEWISTON — A curiously timed and anonymously filed request for public records on concealed handgun permits in Maine helped fast-track an emergency law that passed the Legislature on Tuesday, temporarily sealing those records from public view. But nearly as fast as the request came in, the account it came from — celebrationconnect@gmail.com — went dead. […]
Posted inOur View
Lewiston best served by redistricting
The Lewiston School Department is responsible for providing an equally excellent education for all students. It can best do that by approving a redistricting plan to balance the number of English Language Learners among its elementary schools. That plan is scheduled to be discussed and voted upon Monday evening by the Lewiston School Committee. That […]
Posted inMaine
Committee shoots down gun training for schools
AUGUSTA — A bill that would have required public high schools to offer firearms safety and training courses was voted down in the Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee on Thursday. While most lawmakers on the panel said the measure was a good idea and they liked the thought of providing an optional gun safety […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine Legislature approves $153 million supplemental state budget
AUGUSTA — The Maine House and Senate voted overwhelmingly Thursday in support of a $153 million plan designed to balance the state budget until June 30. The plan cuts $12.6 million from local school aid and fills a nearly $90 million budget hole in the state’s Medicaid program. The House voted 129-14 and the Senate […]
Posted inMaine
LePage urges Congress to focus gun debate on mental health
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage is urging Vice President Joe Biden and lawmakers in Washington to focus more on mental health issues and less on gun control as they wrestle with ways to reduce gun violence in the U.S. LePage is expected to speak on the topic during his weekly statewide radio address to Maine […]
Posted inMaine
‘High-risk’ tax breaks cost state $100 million per year
While the state is considering cutting aid to schools and communities, it is also spending more than $100 million a year on tax breaks for businesses that an audit has criticized as risky investments. According to the audit, 12 programs that reduce taxes on hundreds of businesses lacked the “ability to evaluate … performance and […]
Posted inMaine
New law conceals gun-permit records
AUGUSTA — In near-unanimous votes in the Maine House and Senate on Tuesday, lawmakers agreed to temporarily seal from the public concealed-handgun permit records. The Senate passed the bill 33-0, with two senators absent, while the House passed the bill 129-11, with 11 not voting on the measure. The action closes off public access to […]