Pope Francis meets with President Donald Trump on the occasion of their private audience, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, Pool)U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump meet with Pope Francis, Wednesday, May 24, 2017, at the Vatican. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool) VATICAN CITY — President Donald Trump and […]
politics
Posted inMaine
Next up for ‘nips’ bill: a near-certain veto
AUGUSTA — A measure to require a 5-cent deposit on tiny liquor bottles known as nips is heading for a near certain veto from Gov. Paul LePage — and possibly a move by him to ban nips entirely, which could hurt a major bottler based in Lewiston. With the Senate’s unanimous agreement Tuesday , the […]
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Feds: Sentence for Michael Liberty should be example for political donors
PORTLAND — Federal prosecutors will recommend that prominent developer and entrepreneur Michael Liberty serve six months in jail or under home arrest for illegally masking $22,500 donations to a presidential campaign. Liberty, 56, earlier this year pleaded guilty to making $22,500 in illegal campaign contributions, which court documents indicate benefited Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s […]
Posted inNation / World
Why Trump’s budget plan wouldn’t likely accelerate growth
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration’s budget plan for 2018 assumes that a mix of sharp spending and tax cuts can both shrink the deficit and fuel economic growth of 3 percent a year — a level it hasn’t achieved in more than a dozen years. Most economists and budget experts dismiss that promise as […]
Posted inMaine
Gov. Paul LePage rips newspapers in veto of bill that would harm newspapers
AUGUSTA, Maine — A heavier flow of bills moving to the floors of the legislative chambers means more vetoes from the all-time champion in that statistic: Gov. Paul LePage. The House of Representatives will vote on whether to override another five vetoes today, including one of a bill that would actually hurt Maine newspapers, which sit […]
Posted inNation / World
Trump budget: More for the military, less for the poor
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday sent Congress a $4.1 trillion federal spending plan that promises faster economic growth and steep cuts to programs for the poor in a bid to balance the government’s books over the next decade. The proposed 2018 budget immediately came under attack by Democrats, and even some GOP […]
Posted inMaine
Court: Ranked choice voting in Maine unconstitutional
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s highest court says an election overhaul approved by voters in November runs afoul of the state constitution. The court declared Tuesday that the ranked-choice voting goal of ensuring a majority for the winning candidate is in conflict with the constitutional mandate that only a plurality of the vote is needed […]
Posted inNation / World
Trump administration sending Congress $4.1 trillion budget
In this photo taken May 19, 2017, a GPO worker stacks copies of “Analytical Perspectives Budget of the U.S. Government Fiscal Year 2018” onto a pallet at the U.S. Government Publishing Office’s (GPO) plant in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is sending Congress a $4.1 trillion spending plan that relies […]
Posted inMaine
Republicans say statewide teacher contract could aid rural districts
AUGUSTA (AP) — Bills to create a uniform teacher contract across the state are set for key committee votes. Republican Gov. Paul LePage says such an idea would help rural districts compete for teachers. Bills sponsored by GOP Reps. Matt Pouliot and Jeffrey Timberlake are set for work sessions Tuesday. Pouliot says his bill would […]
Posted inNation / World
Michael Flynn rejects Trump-Russia probe subpoena; Dems say he lied
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination in rebuffing a subpoena Monday in the investigation into Russia’s election meddling. Then a top House Democrat cited new evidence he said appeared to show Flynn lied on a security clearance background check. With Trump himself in […]