WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Susan Collins criticized elements of the Republican tax reform bill Wednesday, including provisions that would repeal the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate and also sunset tax cuts for middle-class families while making corporate tax cuts permanent. The additions to the tax reform bill were made late Tuesday night, with President Trump […]
politics
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Teachers may lose $250 tax break under GOP plan
To help defray some of the costs teachers often bear to get supplies for their classroom, Sen. Susan Collins authored a law 15 years ago that allowed them to take a tax deduction of $250 for their expenses. Last year, the Maine Republican succeeded in making the teacher tax deduction permanent so it wouldn’t have […]
advertisement
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, sj-web
How writing a letter to the editor went wrong
AUBURN — On Election Day at town hall, voters heading to cast their ballots early in the morning passed a couple of tables along the way. One touted a possible new vanity license plate spreading awareness of childhood cancer, and the other promoted a petition to get in-home care on the ballot next year. When […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Bruce Poliquin says he favors tax overhaul plan
Citing a desire to help families and spur growth, U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin said Tuesday he plans to vote in favor of a controversial tax bill Thursday that critics say favors the wealthiest Americans. Poliquin, a 2nd District Republican, said he’s worked hard to make the measure “very pro-family” and a solid step forward for […]
Posted inBusiness, Nation / World
FDA approves digitally enhanced medication
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators have approved the first drug with a sensor that can track whether patients have taken their medicine. The Abilify pill was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2002 to treat schizophrenia, and the sensor technology was approved for marketing in 2012. The FDA said in a statement […]
Posted inNation / World
Donald Trump returns to U.S. to face new challenges in Congress, Alabama race
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — President Donald Trump headed home Tuesday buoyed by an Asia tour he called “tremendously successful,” but he’ll face immediate challenges with the Republican tax overhaul and the party meltdown in Alabama over a Senate candidate accused of sexual misconduct. Underscoring the sharp political stakes for Trump, who lacks a major legislative […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine lawmakers to weigh in on reducing power outages
PORTLAND (AP) — The Maine Legislature plans to consider aggressive tree cutting, underground power lines and other measures in response to a storm that left some homes and businesses in the dark for up to 10 days. The Joint Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology will listen to ideas for reducing the number and duration […]
Posted inNation / World
Donald Trump Jr. messaged with WikiLeaks during 2016 campaign
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s oldest son released a series of private Twitter exchanges between himself and WikiLeaks during and after the 2016 election, including pleas from the website to publicize its leaks. Donald Trump Jr.’s release of the messages on Twitter came hours after The Atlantic first reported them Monday. In the exchanges […]
Posted inNation / World
Jeff Sessions mulls special counsel to investigate Clinton Foundation
WASHINGTON — Attorney General Jeff Sessions is entertaining the idea of appointing a second special counsel to investigate a host of Republican concerns – including alleged wrongdoing by the Clinton Foundation and the controversial sale of a uranium company to Russia – and has directed senior federal prosecutors to explore at least some of the […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Social Security numbers of 2,100 Maine foster care participants posted online
The names, addresses and Social Security numbers of roughly 2,100 Mainers who receive foster care benefits were accidentally posted to a public website in September, the Maine Office of Information Technology said Monday. The office “has begun notifying approximately 2,100 individuals of a recent incident that may have resulted in a temporary exposure of their […]