BANGOR — Two former senators from Maine — one a Democrat, one a Republican — declared Friday independent U.S. Sen. Angus King deserves another six years in Washington because of his proven ability to fight for Maine with civility and a willingness to compromise. Former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell, who served as the Democrats’ majority leader, said […]
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Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Donald Trump cancels military parade due to high price tag
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Friday he had canceled plans for a Veteran’s Day military parade in November, citing the “ridiculously high” price tag. Trump on Twitter accused local politicians of price-gouging, although much of the projected $92 million price was attributed to Pentagon costs for aircraft, equipment and personnel. The Defense Department […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
New report focuses attention on out-of-state cash spent on Maine ballot questions
AUGUSTA — A new report adds fuel to a growing worry that out-of-state cash has an outsize influence on what happens when voters head to the polls to decide ballot questions. The conservative Maine Heritage Policy Center weighed in on the initiative and referendum process Wednesday with a study of the spending deployed during the […]
Posted inNation / World
Like plastic straws, balloons are raising concerns for the environment
NEW YORK (AP) — Now that plastic straws may be headed for extinction, could Americans’ love of balloons be deflated? The joyous celebration of releasing balloons into the air has long bothered environmentalists, who say the pieces that fall back to earth can be deadly to seabirds and turtles that eat them. So as companies […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Paul Ryan's Super PAC takes aim at Democrat Jared Golden in new TV ad
A political action committee tied to the Republican leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to release its first television advertisement of the campaign Wednesday, charging that Democratic congressional hopeful Jared Golden will support tax increases if he makes it to Capitol Hill. Golden said Tuesday that while he supports hiking the taxes […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine DHHS denies applications for expanded Medicaid
Denial letters have started to go out for Mainers applying for coverage under Medicaid expansion, according to documents and a progressive advocacy group that is suing the LePage administration. The Mainers are eligible for Medicaid under a new law that was approved last year by voters, but the state has so far refused to expand the health […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Poliquin floods his Maine district with taxpayer-funded mail
LEWISTON — Former Mayor Larry Gilbert has seen a lot of odd things in politics over the years, but even he was surprised recently when his congressman sent matching, unsolicited letters to his two adult daughters. One letter touted U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin’s record in targeting sexual harassment on Capitol Hill, while the other hailed […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine voters can now request absentee ballots online
AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine voters can now request absentee ballots for November’s election online. Democratic Secretary of State Matt Dunlap said voters can vote by absentee ballot through mail or in-person at their town hall. Mainers will elect a new governor to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Paul LePage. Voters will also elect a U.S. senator, […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Security experts, Trump allies alarmed by Omarosa recordings
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. (AP) — Former presidential adviser Omarosa Manigault Newman is drawing fire from President Donald Trump’s allies and national security experts for secret recordings she made at the White House, including her firing by chief of staff John Kelly in the high-security Situation Room. Manigault Newman said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Angus King, Marco Rubio look to fix conflict between Social Security and ACA
SCARBOROUGH (AP) — Maine’s independent U.S. senator says he’s attempting to fix a conflict in federal law that creates a burden for recipients of disability benefits. Sen. Angus King says the conflict affects people who qualify for Affordable Care Act subsidies and have recently been approved as eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance. King says […]