Republicans are increasing the pressure on Democratic leaders to reverse last week’s decision to block Gov. Paul LePage’s proposed facilty to house forensic mental health patients in Augusta. The LePage administration has billed the new facility as a way to regain the federal certification that Riverview Psychiatric Center lost in 2013, putting millions of dollars […]
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Posted inBusiness, sj-web
United Steelworkers leader draws fire after he challenges Donald Trump
WASHINGTON — The union president slammed by Donald Trump on Twitter challenged the president-elect Thursday to back up his claim that a deal to discourage Carrier Corp. from closing an Indiana factory would save 1,100 American jobs. “He overreacted, President-elect Trump did,” United Steelworkers 1999 President Chuck Jones told CNN. “He should have come out […]
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Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Military targets handling of misconduct cases
WASHINGTON — Military leaders are trying to fix the lengthy, inconsistent process for investigating senior officers accused of misconduct, The Associated Press has learned. They are seeking to change a hodgepodge system in which investigations can drag on for years while taxpayers pay six-figure salaries to officers relegated to mid-level administrative posts. Trust in the […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
No surprises as Legislature elects Maine’s constitutional officers
AUGUSTA — Members of the new 128th Legislature re-elected all four of Maine’s constitutional officers Wednesday in secret-ballot elections at the State House. Treasurer Terry Hayes, Attorney General Janet Mills, Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap and State Auditor Pola Buckley were all returned to office. None of those elections came as a surprise. The political […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. Paul LePage swears in Legislature, warns of economic peril
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage swore in the new Legislature on Wednesday, but only after delivering a short speech to both chambers renewing his call to alter tax and minimum wage proposals passed by voters in November. It was a break for policy talk on the day of pomp and circumstance, mostly reserved for the […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Political roundup: EPA, SBA and Homeland Security nominees named
WASHINGTON (AP) — Coverage of President-elect Donald Trump (all times EST): Trump names Linda McMahon to lead Small Business Administration Update 4:25 p.m.: Donald Trump will nominate wrestling executive Linda McMahon to serve as administrator of the Small Business Administration, a Cabinet-level position. Trump says McMahon will be a “champion for small businesses and unleash […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Time magazine names Donald Trump its Person of the Year
WASHINGTON — Time magazine on Wednesday named President-elect Donald Trump its Person of the Year. “It’s a great honor. It means a lot,” Trump said in a telephone interview on NBC’s “Today” show. Time editor Nancy Gibbs said on the program that Democrat Hillary Clinton was the No. 2 finalist. Gibbs said the choice of […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine’s 128th legislature arrives in Augusta for swearing-in
AUGUSTA (AP) — The newly elected members of Maine’s legislature are traveling to Augusta to be sworn in. The session officially convenes on Wednesday. November’s election left the Legislature increasingly divided, and GOP Gov. Paul LePage and the Democrats’ nominated House Speaker Sara Gideon are already at odds over oversight of a proposed mental health […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Lawmakers skeptical of LePage plan to build psychiatric unit
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage’s pledge to move a proposed mental health facility out of Augusta to bypass legislative approval caused disappointment among lawmakers who said that wouldn’t be necessary if LePage’s administration would share its plans in public. At issue is the LePage administration’s attempt to build a stand-alone facility for mentally ill patients […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Donald Trump vs. Boeing: Air Force One costs ‘out of control’
NEW YORK — The government should cancel its multibillion-dollar order for new Air Force One presidential planes, Donald Trump declared Tuesday, serving notice he’s ready to jump in and start making decisions six weeks before his inauguration. Costs for the two Boeing 747s are “totally out of control,” Trump told reporters in the lobby of […]