WASHINGTON (AP) — Somewhere along the way, the Republican crusade to repeal “Obamacare” also turned into an effort to limit the future growth of Medicaid. That bit of mission creep is complicating prospects for the GOP, and could lead to deadlock. The federal-state program for low-income people has long been stigmatized as substandard. But over […]
politics
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Susan Collins and Angus King oppose GOP health care bill
WASHINGTON — After the Congressional Budget Office estimated Monday that the Senate Republican health care bill would leave 22 million more Americans uninsured in 2026 than under President Barack Obama’s health care law, Maine’s senators said they will oppose the bill. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she would vote against a GOP procedural motion, expected Wednesday, to begin […]
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Posted inNation / World, sj-web
CBO: Senate GOP health-care bill would leave 22 million more people uninsured by 2026
WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans’ bill to erase major parts of the Affordable Care Act would cause an estimated 22 million more Americans to be uninsured in the coming decade — about 1 million fewer than similar legislation recently passed by the House, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The forecast issued Monday by Congress’ nonpartisan […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Paul LePage tells Dems to pass GOP budget or there will be a shutdown
A Friday meeting between Gov. Paul LePage and the Legislature’s top Democrat inflamed partisan tension at the State House and made clear that, even if lawmakers pass a budget this week, state government could shut down Saturday. A Democratic account of that meeting was circulating around Facebook during the weekend, saying the Republican governor told […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Study of Seattle's $15 minimum wage says costs outweigh benefits
When Seattle officials voted three years ago to incrementally boost the city’s minimum wage up to $15 an hour, they’d hoped to improve the lives of low-income workers. Yet according to a major new study that could force economists to reassess past research on the issue, the hike has had the opposite effect. The city […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Supreme Court to take case of Colorado baker who wouldn't sell wedding cake to gay couple
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday said it will consider next term whether a Denver baker unlawfully discriminated against a gay couple by refusing to sell them a wedding cake. Lower courts had ruled that Jack Phillips, the owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop, had violated Colorado’s public accommodations law, which prohibits refusing service to customers […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Supreme Court sides with church seeking state funds for playground
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court concluded its work for this session on Monday siding with religious institutions in a major church-state decision. The court ruled 7-2 that religious institutions may not be excluded from state programs with a secular intent — in this case, making playgrounds safer. Missouri’s state constitution, like those in about three […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Supreme Court allows travel ban, plans to hear arguments in October
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is letting the Trump administration mostly enforce its 90-day ban on travelers from six mostly Muslim countries, overturning lower court orders that blocked it. The action Monday is a victory for President Donald Trump in the biggest legal controversy of his young presidency. The court did leave one category […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. Paul LePage signs food sovereignty bill into law
AUGUSTA (AP) — A new law will let Maine towns regulate local food production without requiring state and federal rules. Republican Gov. Paul LePage recently signed Democratic Sen. Troy Jackson’s bill into law. The bill received strong support in the House and Senate. Democratic Sen. David Miramant called the bill a first step toward promoting […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Senate Republicans face key week for health-care bill
Senate Republicans are facing down an increasingly daunting challenge to secure the votes necessary to pass legislation to dramatically change President Barack Obama’s signature health-care law, and several senators said they would like more time to debate and tweak the plan as GOP leaders push for a vote this week. At least five Republicans have […]