AUGUSTA — In a unanimous vote early Wednesday, state lawmakers approved a funding plan to end controversial “wait lists” that have prevented Mainers with developmental disabilities from receiving medical and other support services, in some cases for over two years. This decision was one of dozens of unanimous votes made by the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee […]
politics
Posted inOur View
Our view: Raids of Maine’s Revenue Sharing Fund must be stopped
Look at the chart above. Really, really look at it. It shows the amount Maine municipalities get from the state every year from taxes generated from Maine’s economy. What’s missing: the amount the state has decided to keep in recent years to pay its own bills. Every month, the state controller is legally required to […]
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Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine House OKs call center bill with softer penalties
AUGUSTA — Maine lawmakers have advanced a bill that seeks to encourage companies to keep call centers in Maine by penalizing them if they relocate them overseas. In a 77-67 vote on Tuesday, the Democratic-led House approved an amended version that would soften the penalties proposed in the original bill. The Senate endorsed the bill […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
LePage signs bill that allows East Millinocket mill sell more electricity
EAST MILLINOCKET — Gov. Paul LePage has signed into law a bill that would allow electricity sales to restore at least 200 jobs and re-energize a local paper mill, his spokeswoman said Tuesday. “This is a step in the right direction so that both parties can come to an agreement,” said Adrienne Bennett, calling the […]
Posted inMaine
USDA asks for plan on Maine EBT card photos
AUGUSTA — A federal agency is asking Gov. Paul LePage’s administration to provide details on its efforts to pilot a new benefits card system that would include recipients’ photos. The state uses electronic benefits transfer cards to dispense a variety of public assistance, including the largely federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps, […]
Posted inMaine
Senate Dems OK bill banning welfare spending on tobacco, liquor, lottery
AUGUSTA — A surreal reversal in the Maine Senate on Monday saw majority Democrats advance a bill to ban the use of welfare dollars for alcohol, tobacco, lottery tickets, gambling and bail, while Republicans voted against the clampdown — despite having originally supported it. The move by Democrats, who narrowly approved the bill 18-17 Monday […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Tax haven bill awaits funding approval in Legislature
AUGUSTA — A bill that’s designed to prevent multinational corporations from avoiding paying state taxes by holding their profits in overseas tax havens is among many awaiting final approval in the Legislature due to funding. The Senate placed the bill Monday on the Appropriations Table, where bills with fiscal notes await decisions on whether they’ll […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislature rejects LePage’s energy bill
AUGUSTA — Maine lawmakers have rejected Gov. Paul LePage’s proposal to use revenue generated from increased logging on public lands to help residents buy modern heating equipment. The Democratic-led House voted 89-53 on Friday in favor of killing the bill that would take $1 million in timber harvest revenue funds to help residents buy things […]
Posted inMaine
Abandoned-road bill fails in Maine House
AUGUSTA — The Maine House on Friday voted 92-50 to reject a bill that would have pushed towns to look closely at abandoned roads and rights of way. Battling landowners over rights and responsibilities involving abandoned roads or public rights of way has been a regular problem for towns across Maine for decades. That’s why Sen. […]