AUBURN — Councilors agreed to convert an 8-year-old cap on city spending into a cap on property taxes Monday night. Councilors voted unanimously to make the switch, and voted that future councilors must have a five-vote majority to override the cap. “I think we have to look at both expenditures and revenue,” Councilor Robert Hayes […]
politics
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
FBI asks for help identifying government corruption
BOSTON — The FBI is asking the public’s help in identifying government corruption in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Special Agent Vincent Lisi, who runs the agency’s Boston field office that covers those four states, announced Monday that his office will launch a dedicated, toll free tip line: 1-844-NoBribe (662-7423). It will also […]
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Froma Harrop: Drink choices separate party members
Did you know that Democrats drink more than Republicans? Or that they are likelier to choose clear liquors, whereas Republicans tend toward the darker ones? That voters who skew most Republican favor Jim Beam? That those who skew most Democratic go for Seagram’s gin? I didn’t. And frankly, I’d take such findings with a long […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
U.S. Senate to take up $1.1 trillion spending bill Friday
WASHINGTON — It’s now up to the Senate to pass a huge $1.1 trillion spending bill to keep the government running, but not before a battle between old school veterans and new breed freshmen such as tea partier Ted Cruz and Elizabeth Warren, a liberal with a national following. The smart money’s on old school […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
U.S. Rep. Michaud bids farewell to Congress
PORTLAND (AP) — U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud began bidding farewell Thursday to Congress after 12 years of serving the state’s 2nd district, giving a heartfelt thanks to the people of Maine and predicting that the state’s delegation will continue to fight gridlock. The Maine Democrat delivered his farewell statement into the Congressional record on Thursday […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine PUC opposes Fairpoint subsidy
PORTLAND — The Maine Public Utilities Commission says FairPoint Communications is not entitled to a $62.8 million state subsidy it requested to provide telephone service in remote parts of Maine. The Portland Press Herald reports the agency’s order is not binding and will be included in a larger report the commission is preparing for the […]
Posted inMaine
Truck-safety advocate criticizes Collins on budget fix additions
LEWISTON — The founder of Parents Against Tired Truckers said provisions that Sen. Susan Collins wants to add to a federal budget bill would “jeopardize the safety of everyone.” Daphne Izer of Lisbon, whose teenage son was killed by a trucker who fell asleep at the wheel in October 1993, said relaxing rest standards for […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Congress considers $1.1 trillion spending bill
WASHINGTON — A huge, $1.1 trillion spending bill funding every corner of government faces its first test in the House, where conservatives are unhappy because it fails to challenge President Barack Obama’s immigration policy and many Democrats are displeased because it weakens the 2010 Dodd-Frank regulation of risky financial instruments. Another provision drawing fire would […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Gov. LePage wants to stop Verso from selling Bucksport mill
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage’s office is looking for a way to prevent Verso Paper from selling its Bucksport mill to the Canadian metal recycling firm American Iron and Metal Co., but it’s unclear what leverage the state’s leader will have in that fight. Nevertheless, Adrienne Bennett, LePage’s press secretary, said Tuesday in an email […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
GOP Sen. Manchester resigns after investigation shows 21 ballots were counted twice
AUGUSTA — In a dramatic turn of events, an inspection of ballots from Long Island on Tuesday showed that 21 votes for Republican Cathy Manchester appear to have been counted twice during a Nov. 18 recount in Senate District 25. That was enough to deprive Manchester of the victory she appeared to gain from the recount […]