Last fall, it looked like Maine schools were poised to get a pretty significant increase in state aid. Even though the Legislature killed a voter-approved tax surcharge for education, a last-minute state budget deal added an extra $162 million toward schools to ease the sting. Yet when state allocations were announced this spring, many districts […]
politics
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine voters soon to decide fate of ranked-choice voting
Maine voters will finally get their chance to try out the hotly debated ranked-choice voting system when they head to the polls to select party nominees for governor, Congress and the Legislature on June 12. While they’re in the voting booth, Mainers will also face Question 1 on their ballots, asking them if they want […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Jared Golden and Lucas St. Clair near parity in campaign cash for primary
Heading into the June 12 primary, two of the three Democratic contenders in the 2nd Congressional District match up pretty closely in their fundraising efforts. The top fundraiser among the trio is Jared Golden of Lewiston, who has raked in $698,000 overall for his campaign to unseat U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin, a two-term Republican. But […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Campaign finance issue divides Democrats in 2nd District primary
Over the Memorial Day weekend, many Mainers received a slick four-page mailer titled “Outdoors Maine” that featured a pretty picture of on its cover of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. It also included a half page photo of Democratic congressional candidate Lucas St. Clair greeting a woman at her door followed by a […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Auburn Republicans to meet Tuesday
AUBURN — The Auburn Republican Committee is scheduled to meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Auburn Hall. The meeting will focus on the June 12 referendum and election. The non-party issues on the ballot for all Auburn voters will be discussed. Ranked-choice voting will be explained. Discussion is also expected on the Auburn […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Max Linn’s campaign signs have migrated to New Hampshire
AUGUSTA – A Republican U.S. Senate candidate who failed to qualify for Maine’s June primary elections is getting flak for illegally placing campaign signs not in Maine but in neighboring New Hampshire. City offices in Dover, New Hampshire, received a handful of complaints about campaign signs for Max Linn popping up at busy intersections and […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Paul LePage takes aim at Jared Golden
In rare, kind words about a Democratic leader, Gov. Paul LePage said Thursday that congressional contender Jared Golden of Lewiston no doubt “made a fine Marine.” But as a lawmaker, the governor said, the assistant majority leader in the State House of Representatives “has not gotten the job done.” A two-term lame duck, LePage, who […]
Posted inNation / World
Donald Trump considering pardon for Martha Stewart, commutation for Rod Blagojevich
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he would offer a full pardon to conservative pundit Dinesh D’Souza, who pleaded guilty in 2014 to violating federal campaign finance laws but later said he was targeted for his conservative views. The president, who has issued several pardons in recent months, said he is also considering […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Bruce Poliquin's bid to save Maine defense jobs questioned
Just before the Memorial Day weekend, U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin issued a press release announcing he had pushed through an amendment to a defense spending bill to secure the jobs of “more than 600 of our hardworking Mainers in Aroostook County.” The headline of the press release read, “Just passed: Defense bill with Poliquin amendment protecting 600+ […]
Posted inMaine
Diane Russell fined $300 for campaign finance violations
AUGUSTA – The Maine Ethics Commission voted Wednesday to fine Democratic gubernatorial candidate Diane Russell $300 for failing to file timely and complete campaign finance reports. Ethics commission staff had found earlier this month that Russell didn’t provide enough detail on campaign expenditures she listed only as “travel,” “meals” or other expenses. Staff had also raised concerns […]