It was a prison inmate who first explained to me that the income tax may be unconstitutional and he urged me to look into it. I did, and damn if he didn’t have a point. It was a prisoner who best described the burning thirst of addiction and another who explained the weird compulsions that […]
politics
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Jim Webb ends bid for Democratic presidential nomination
Former Virginia senator Jim Webb announced Tuesday afternoon that he would no longer pursue the Democratic presidential nomination. “More people in this country call themselves political independents than Republicans or Democrats. I happen to agree with them,” Webb told reporters at a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington. “… I am withdrawing […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine considers restricting inmate communications
AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Corrections is proposing changes to the rules that govern the way prisoners communicate with the outside world. The list of proposed changes includes prohibiting prisoners from soliciting or communicating with a pen pal, publishing a byline or “acting as an agent of the news media.” Maine Public Broadcasting Network […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Dunlap recommends GOP split tax and welfare reform referendum
AUGUSTA — The Maine Republican Party will move forward with a proposed 2016 referendum question to reduce taxes and reform welfare at once, even though Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap said Tuesday that it should be split into two different questions. Dunlap’s decision is a recommendation for now, but he said he has the […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislator wants oversight over anti-drug ‘fusion center’
AUGUSTA — A legislator wants to bring the state police “fusion center” under legislative oversight. The Maine Information and Analysis Center is one of dozens of such centers created after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorism attacks to help law enforcement officials share information. Many were unaware of the center’s activities before the LePage administration announced […]
Posted inMaine
When Maine towns lose jobs, lottery ticket sales rise
Seidl, co-owner of the Waite General Store in northeastern Washington County, recalled the woman had three, maybe four, children at home. He told her he felt the money would be better spent on food or clothes for her children. He refused to sell her the tickets. But he doubts it made much of a difference. […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Joe Dunne takes down signs; community rallies against hate
More video: Joe Dunne explains why his signs are personal, not racist.| Ben Chin talks about what the signs mean to him. | Rally gives people a chance to talk about hate in the community. LEWISTON — For now, Joe Dunne’s signs are down but the landlord promised they’d go back up somewhere in the city, probably on […]
Posted inMaine
Maine Legislature shields staff salaries from Open Checkbook disclosure
AUGUSTA — State employees working for the Maine Legislature have had their salary and benefits information shielded from a state-operated, public database that provides the same information on all other state workers. While the salary information for partisan and non-partisan employees at the Maine Legislature remains public information, officials have been unable to explain exactly […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Federal government to require drone registration
WASHINGTON — The federal government will require many drone aircraft to be registered, a move prompted by the growing number of reported close calls and incidents that pose safety risks, officials announced Monday. Pilot sightings of drones have doubled since last year, including sightings near manned aircraft and major sporting events, and interference with wildfire-fighting […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Ranked choice voting advocates deliver signatures for 2016 ballot
AUGUSTA — A group of advocates of ranked choice voting has submitted signatures needed to put the proposal on the ballot to Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap. Supporters of the proposal have gathered 70,000 signatures, and they were delivered to the secretary of state on Monday. They’ll have to be verified for the proposal […]