Also on this page: Trump’s Cabinet and top officials President-elect Donald Trump is planning to name investor and former Goldman Sachs executive Steven Mnuchin as treasury secretary, opting for an industry insider with no government experience to helm the agency in charge of the nation’s finances, according to people familiar with the matter. Mnuchin joined Trump’s […]
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Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine Public Utilities Commission expands FairPoint investigation
AUGUSTA — State utility regulators are expanding an investigation of FairPoint Communications for failing to meet minimum service standards for landline customers. The Maine Public Utilities Commission has been considering a $500,000 fine against FairPoint for failing to meet standards in 2014 and 2015. FairPoint had asked regulators not to open an investigation into standards […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Paul LePage says Mainers didn’t understand referendum questions
AUGUSTA (AP) — Republican Gov. Paul LePage says he will propose slashing the income tax rate to lessen the impact of a new income surtax and minimum wage hike that Mainers approved this month. The idea will be in LePage’s budget proposal due in January. In a letter to legislators, LePage said Maine voters didn’t […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine prepares to start recounts for Maine marijuana, tax initiatives
AUGUSTA — Maine’s secretary of state says recounts will get underway in the coming days for a pair of ballot questions that were approved by voters. One of the questions concerns the legalization of marijuana for recreational use. The other institutes a 3 percent tax on households that earn more than $200,000 per year. The […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Donald Trump to pick Elaine Chao for transportation secretary
NEW YORK — President-elect Donald Trump has picked Elaine Chao to become transportation secretary, according to a Trump source. The source has knowledge of the pick by spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the pick, which is expected to be announced Tuesday afternoon. Chao, 63, was labor […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
GOP leader Ken Fredette doubts Legislature has the ‘courage’ for tax reform
Battle lines are already drawn in another tax reform attempt that lies in wait at the State House for the newly elected Legislature. Republican Gov. Paul LePage and the executive branch have been working for months on crafting a state government budget proposal for the next two years, which will likely be presented to lawmakers […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Donald Trump threatens ‘consequences’ for flag burners
NEW YORK — President-elect Donald Trump says that anyone who burns an American flag should face unspecified “consequences,” such as jail or a loss of citizenship. The president-elect’s tweet is a direct conflict with free speech rights guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution. It comes as he prepares to name a secretary of […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Donald Trump to nominate Rep. Tom Price as health secretary
WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump has selected Georgia Rep. Tom Price, a leading critic of President Barack Obama’s sweeping health care law, to head the Department of Health and Human Services, according to a person familiar with the decision. If confirmed by the Senate, Price will play a central role in Republican efforts to repeal […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Green Party wants recount after Michigan certifies win for Trump
WASHINGTON (AP) — Monday’s political coverage (all times EST): Updated: 2:45 p.m.: A lawyer for Green Party candidate Jill Stein’s campaign has notified the Michigan elections board that it will seek a recount of the presidential election results. Mark Brewer told the Board of State Canvassers that the recount petition will be filed on Wednesday. […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Question 1 & 2 recounts could take 4 to 6 weeks
AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of the Secretary of State says recounts of a pair of ballot questions will likely take four to six weeks. The department is getting ready to announce a schedule for the recounts. The recounts have been requested for ballot questions that legalized recreational marijuana and approved a tax on high […]