AUGUSTA — A measure to prevent multinational corporations from evading Maine taxes by hiding profits in offshore tax havens won initial approval in the state’s Democratic-controlled House of Representatives on Thursday on an 81-67, party-line vote. The bill, LD 341, sponsored by state Rep. Ryan Tipping-Spitz, D-Orono, requires Maine companies to report any income from […]
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Posted inMaine
Maine Senate approves 9-month limit on General Assistance
AUGUSTA — A bill that limits city-run General Assistance welfare benefits to nine months for childless people who are capable of working cleared the Maine Senate on a bipartisan, 24-11 vote Thursday. The bill, LD 1035, sponsored by state Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, also gained the backing of Lewiston city officials. The measure allows a […]
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Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Video: Senate clears way for Obama’s trade agenda
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama’s trade agenda cleared a key Senate hurdle and advanced toward passage on Thursday despite the strong opposition of most Democrats. The 62-38 vote capped a long, tense roll call on a measure that will allow Obama to negotiate trade deals that Congress can only accept or reject, but not change. […]
Posted inMaine
Does GOP budget divide signal ‘lame duck’ status for LePage?
AUGUSTA — Recent actions by State House Republicans could be a signal the power of firebrand Republican Gov. Paul LePage is waning as he heads toward the sixth month of his second term. Last week, Legislative Republican leaders split with LePage on his two-year state budget proposal, rejecting key LePage policy objectives around tax and […]
Posted inMaine
Libby’s blight bill passes key legislative committee
AUGUSTA — A bill enabling cities and towns to better address blighted and abandoned properties gained the unanimous support of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. “Because of abandoned properties in my hometown, we are faced with blight, public safety hazards, theft, vandalism and demolition costs at the taxpayers’ expense,” Sen. Nate Libby, D-Lewiston, said […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine Senate OKs bill to dock absent lawmakers’ pay
AUGUSTA — The Maine Senate has given final approval to a bill that would cut the pay of lawmakers who don’t show up at work. Republican Sen. Linda Baker’s bill was enacted with a 28-6 vote Wednesday. Under the bill, a lawmaker with more than five unexcused absences in the first regular session would see […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine PUC keeps wind project contract negotiations alive
AUGUSTA — Utility regulators moved one step closer Wednesday to entering into a long-term contract with developers hoping to sell power generated by a wind project in Somerset County. The Maine Public Utilities Commission voted 2-1 to modify and approve the terms of an agreement with NextEra Energy Resources LLC to ensure that the state is […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine House kills cellphone ban for drivers
AUGUSTA — A bill that sought to prohibit drivers from using hand-held cellphones has been defeated in the Maine Legislature. The Democratic-led House voted 82-65 against an amended version of Republican Sen. Roger Katz’s bill on Wednesday. The bill is now dead. The Republican-controlled Senate had modified the proposal to reduce the penalties for offenders […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Analysis: How to create a bill that LePage will veto
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage long ago established that he’ll use the full breadth of his constitutional powers to advance the policy agenda he believes is best for Maine. He has withheld voter-approved bonds, refused to nominate people for the Public Utilities Commission and Board of Corrections, and perhaps most noticeably, he issued more than […]
Posted inFranklin
Senator accepted flight from J.D. Irving while promoting looser mining laws
A Republican state senator who is among those leading the fight to pass legislation to benefit J.D. Irving’s proposal to develop an open-pit mine in the North Woods accepted a free private plane ride to Aroostook from Irving’s lobbyists and didn’t report it to the state ethics commission. Sen. Thomas Saviello of Wilton said he […]