Current state employees are probably breathing a sigh of relief following Gov. Paul LePage’s promise Thursday not to conduct across-the-board cuts in state workers or payroll. The governor, in fact, was complimentary of the state work force, although he announced that a hiring freeze adopted during his predecessor’s term will continue. Most current state employees […]
Maine
Posted inOur View
Energy group wasted money, got little done
Let’s imagine you are starting a business, ABC Consulting. You need 13 employees, including a manager. So you advertise, compare resumes, interview and check references before hiring. Then, on the first day of work you are having lunch with your new employees when one mentions he used to be a Democratic House member from Bangor. […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. LePage to present 2-year budget
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage on Thursday will present to the Legislature a state spending blueprint for the next two-year budget cycle, and it is expected to reflect the austerity of the times and the governor’s promises not to raise taxes. The Republican governor will present his budget for the period starting July 1 to […]
Posted inOur View
Anti-smoking bills will draw little support
Four ideas have been floated in the state Legislature to reduce smoking rates in Maine, most of them well-intentioned but unlikely to pass. The most controversial bill was crafted by Sen. Thomas Saviello, R-Franklin County, that would deny benefits to MaineCare recipients who smoke. Saviello proposed the bill at the behest of an unnamed constituent […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Budget update due for vote
AUGUSTA — Legislative votes on a Maine supplemental budget for the current fiscal year are expected this week, now that the budget has received unanimous committee support. The Appropriations Committee late Friday approved the spending update for the year ending June 30. The budget is expected to receive quick House and Senate support. It could […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Finalist for top job visits UMaine campus
ORONO — Another finalist for the top job at the University of Maine is visiting campus. Daniel Julius, vice president of academic affairs at the University of Alaska System of Higher Education, is visiting the Orono campus on Tuesday and Wednesday to meet with students, faculty and staff. He is third of four finalists to […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gasoline prices on the rise
PORTLAND (AP) — A price-watching website says average retail gasoline prices in Maine have risen 0.4 cent per gallon in the past week to an average of $3.19 per gallon. MaineGasPrices.com says Sunday’s price compares with the national average, which has increased 2.9 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.11. Including the change […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
France’s Boeuf wins 12 kilometer pursuit at World Cup Biathlon
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine (AP) — Alexis Boeuf of France won the men’s 12.5-kilometer pursuit at the biathlon World Cup on Sunday, and Norway’s Tora Berger won the women’s 10K pursuit. Boeuf moved up from a ninth-place start to finish in 36 minutes, 2.4 seconds after two misses to earn his first World Cup victory. Ivan […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Horses unhurt in riding arena collapse
LISBON — No horses, or people, were injured when the roof of a large riding arena collapsed Monday morning under a snow load. River View Horse Farm owner Lisa Bosse confirmed Monday morning that there had been a collapse and that she was notifying horse owners of the situation. Photographs of the barn show that […]
Posted inOur View
Apartments need repairs now, not later
A quarter of a million dollars will build a pretty nice home in Maine. Four and a half million dollars should be more than enough to build a 20-unit apartment building for senior citizens, a building that is not only attractive but sound and durable. Unfortunately, after only a year, the Birch Hill Apartments in […]