AUGUSTA — A program that rewards thousands of low-income Mainers receiving financial food assistance for using their benefits to buy locally grown food such as that found at farmers markets is in funding jeopardy this spring. But Maine farmers market, including those in Augusta and Waterville, are turning to community support and other solutions to […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
How ranked-choice voting effort became a partisan flash point
When then state Rep. Diane Russell first pushed for the Legislature to adopt ranked-choice voting in 2009, she didn’t expect it to be a partisan issue, and it wasn’t. Most of her colleagues in the 124th Legislature – then controlled entirely by her fellow Democrats – were against it, regardless of the party they belonged […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Lawmakers pass measure to try to prevent youth suicides
AUGUSTA — A measure to help prevent youth suicide secured unanimous backing in the Legislature this week with the goal of preventing other families from going through the heartache that Matt and Rosie Graham of Lewiston felt last year when their depressed 13-year-old daughter Anie killed herself. The bill requires the Maine Department of Education […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Democrats question Bruce Poliquin's support for balanced budget amendment
In a move that immediately drew criticism on the campaign trail Friday, U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin of Maine hailed the decision by House leaders to hold a vote soon on a proposed balanced budget amendment. Poliquin, a 2nd District Republican who is seeking a third term, has pushed for the measure since 2015 because of […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Waterville Mayor Isgro faces calls for resignation over tweet attacking Parkland student
WATERVILLE — Mayor Nick Isgro is facing a growing backlash for a social media post about a survivor of the Parkland, Florida school shooting, including demands that he apologize or resign from office. Meanwhile, Democrats, some city councilors and residents said Thursday the mayor’s recent tweet about David Hogg isn’t an anomaly and is just […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Donald Trump says he didn't know about payment to Stormy Daniels
ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (AP) — President Donald Trump said Thursday he didn’t know about the $130,000 payment his personal attorney made to Stormy Daniels, issuing a firm denial in his first public comments about the adult-film actress who alleges she had an affair with him. Asked aboard Air Force One whether he knew about […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislative fix on ranked-choice voting falters in Senate, leaving fate to courts
AUGUSTA — A last-minute attempt by Maine lawmakers to resolve some of the issues surrounding ranked-choice voting failed Thursday, leaving it up to the courts to decide the fate of the first-in-the-nation system. A 17-17 vote on a joint order in the Maine Senate scuttled attempts by Democrats to resolve concerns that Republicans had raised […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Signatures of dead voters won’t keep U.S. Senate candidate off Maine primary ballot
AUGUSTA — Although Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap ruled that more than 200 signatures on Max Linn’s candidate petition were invalid, including several that belonged to people who died years ago, he said Thursday that the Republican U.S. Senate candidate turned in enough valid signatures to remain on the June primary ballot. The campaign […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Donald Trump 'tired of being told no' by chief of staff Kelly
WASHINGTON (AP) — When President Donald Trump made a congratulatory phone call to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, White House chief of staff John Kelly wasn’t on the line. When Trump tapped John Bolton to be his next national security adviser, Kelly wasn’t in the room. And when Trump spent a Mar-a-Lago weekend chafing over immigration […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Susan Collins says she is still hopeful for ACA fixes
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, on Wednesday said she’s not giving up on fixes to the Affordable Care Act’s individual marketplace, despite such efforts failing in Congress last month. But Collins said she’s “not very optimistic” that the measures would be taken up this year. Collins made an appearance at The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital […]