WASHINGTON (AP) — The glamour of his holiday break behind him, President Donald Trump returned to the White House on Monday night to face a hefty legislative to-do list, critical midterm elections and perilous threats abroad. Trump started his second year in Washington after a lengthy sojourn at his private club in Palm Beach, Florida, […]
politics
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine lawmakers return to deal with marijuana, Medicaid expansion
AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine lawmakers are returning to Augusta to tackle big questions on recreational marijuana sales and funding for voter-approved Medicaid expansion. Wednesday marks the first day of the second session of the 128th Legislature. This year, lawmakers face re-election. Several legislative leaders are running for governor and Congress. While Medicaid expansion and recreational […]
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Posted inMaine
Expect 2018 to be a big year in Maine politics
Lingering debates must be resolved on marijuana and ranked-choice voting while nearly two dozen candidates are running for governor. Maine’s politicians and the state’s voters will have plenty to think about in 2018. Everything from who will replace Republican firebrand Paul LePage as governor to whether Maine will change the way it votes on statewide […]
Posted inMaine
Paul LePage warns feds want $51 million spent on Riverview returned
AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine’s Republican governor is warning that lawmakers tasked with finding tens of millions of dollars to fund a voter-approved Medicaid expansion must also consider the potential return of $51 million in federal funding spent on the operation of a state psychiatric center. Gov. Paul LePage recently told The Associated Press he expects […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
GOP lawmakers trying to slow minimum-wage hikes
Maine’s minimum wage is set to go up to $10 an hour Jan. 1, even as Republican lawmakers push a proposal to slow future pay increases and allow young workers to be paid less. Supporters of minimum wage boosts say the measures have helped thousands of low-wage earners and predict any proposal to roll back wage […]
Posted inMaine
Bill calls for ban on signature gathering at polling places in Maine
Clean election and ballot access advocates on Friday condemned a bill that would virtually ban the gathering of voter signatures at the polling place on Election Day. The bill would also push candidates who are on the ballot back away from the polling place, ending a tradition of candidates greeting voters at the polls. The […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Donald Trump says East could use some 'global warming' this weekend
Mary Jude Smith cheers for President Donald Trump as his motorcade passes by on Southern Blvd. enroute to his Mar-a-Lago estate from Trump International Golf Club, Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (Greg Lovett/Palm Beach Post via AP) WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump says the East Coast “could […]
Posted inBusiness
Unemployment claims system baffles Mainers left without benefit checks
Three weeks after the state switched to a new online system for filing unemployment claims, many residents say they aren’t receiving their benefits and can’t get anyone to deal with their complaints. But the Maine Department of Labor says the system is performing as expected as it continues to address the problems that prevented claimants […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Local tax advisors tackle property tax deduction confusion
AUBURN — The normal, year-end rush for tax accountants has some added complications this year. With the new federal tax bill set to take effect Jan. 1, Americans have many questions about how they can utilize tax deductions that will change in 2018. Currently, individuals are allowed to deduct from their federal taxable income any […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Paul LePage wants Maine to fund student debt relief programs
AUGUSTA — Maine’s Republican governor used his weekly radio address to chide lawmakers for not following through on promises to attract young people to the state by addressing student debt. The state is facing a growing need for skilled workers due its aging population and low unemployment. Gov. Paul LePage also has noted Maine’s recent […]