AUGUSTA — The Army National Guard is planning to change the role of Maine’s oldest and largest military force in order to save as many jobs as possible amid federal defense belt-tightening, according to officials. Under the plan, the 133rd Engineer Battalion and other units would become the 1st Battalion, 103rd Infantry Regiment. The plan […]
politics
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Collins working on immigration compromise
WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans on Wednesday maneuvered to put Democrats on record again as opposing legislation that would fund the Homeland Security Department and overturn President Barack Obama’s recent actions on immigration. Obama countered by hosting an Oval Office meeting with a half-dozen young immigrants protected by his policies. The GOP legislation would subject Obama’s […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislators consider reducing vaccination exemptions for children
PORTLAND — With a measles outbreak creating alarm around the country, Maine lawmakers are proposing legislation that would either eliminate philosophical exemptions for childhood vaccinations, or require parents to consult doctors before receiving non-medical exemptions for their children. Vaccination opponents, meanwhile, claim the medicines can harm children. They are pressing for additional protections for parents […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislative committee vote shows bipartisanship out the window this session
AUGUSTA — In an early sign that a divided Legislature will have trouble agreeing on what in the past were routine matters, the Taxation Committee voted along party lines Tuesday for a bill that in previous years has caused little disagreement. The 7-6 vote in favor of LD 138 constitutes little more than a recommendation […]
Posted inMaine
Local lawmakers offering mixed reactions to LePage address
AUGUSTA — In reaction to Gov. Paul LePage’s State of the State address Tuesday, both Democrats and Republicans seemed to be keeping open minds to a pending budget proposal that many said is “bold and visionary.” Democrats, including state Rep. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, were more reserved in their praise of LePage but still offered an […]
Posted inBusiness
Time Warner makes its case to legislators at luxury resort
Fed up with slow Internet speeds offered by commercial services, some Maine cities and towns are turning to a new way to get high-speed broadband for their residents and businesses: doing it themselves. Maine ranks near the bottom of all 50 states in Internet speeds, which frustrates consumers and puts a damper on business. Legislators […]
Posted inMaine
Legislative committee hears resolve to create code of ethics
AUGUSTA — An effort to create a unified ethics code of conduct for state workers following a scandal in which workers at the Maine Centers for Disease Control destroyed public documents in 2013 took its first tentative steps toward a law change Wednesday. The document destruction in question came in advance of an anticipated Freedom […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Analysis: Where LePage’s nonprofit tax plan could hit hardest
The sweeping changes Gov. Paul LePage has proposed for Maine’s tax system have raised many questions about the people and towns that stand to benefit and those that don’t. One portion of that plan would take away state aid to cities and towns and let them tax nonprofits instead. By geography, major service centers — […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine Democrats pre-empt LePage’s State of the State Address with salvo
AUGUSTA — In a pre-emptive political salvo, the Maine Democratic Party warned Mainers Tuesday to listen carefully to Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s State of the State Address later tonight, saying LePage’s agenda will only hurt the state’s middle class. In a release to media early Tuesday, Democrats attacked LePage’s proposal to cut the state’s income […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine Senate confirms Richard Rosen as DAFS commissioner
AUGUSTA — The Maine Senate has given approval to Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s nominee for finance chief. The Republican-led Senate voted unanimously in favor of Richard Rosen becoming the commissioner of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services. Rosen has been the acting commissioner of the department since former department head Sawin Millett stepped down […]