AUGUSTA — Democrats on the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee introduced a bill Monday that would cancel a nearly $1 million contract signed by Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s administration with a controversial welfare consultant, the Alexander Group. In September 2013, the LePage administration contracted with the group, headed by former Pennsylvania and Rhode Island […]
politics
Posted inMaine, New England, sj-web
New England states fight drug abuse in different ways
AUGUSTA (AP) — In the rural towns and cities of northern New England, a rising drug-abuse problem is overwhelming law enforcement, affecting hundreds of infants each year and sparking calls to action by state leaders who say enough is enough. How to attack the scourge, though, takes on different forms. “We must confront a troubling […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Conservation group endorses Michaud for governor; Cutler cries foul
AUGUSTA — Maine Conservation Voters, the environmental advocacy group that issues annual scorecards for the state’s politicians in Augusta and Washington, on Friday announced its endorsement of U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud’s bid for governor in 2014. The group’s board president, Dan Amory, recounted one of the Michaud campaign’s most well-worn stories, about how Michaud first […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Unions urging support of Maine call center bill
AUGUSTA (AP) — Labor union members are calling on Maine lawmakers to approve a bill designed to keep jobs at call centers in the state. Members from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and Communications of America joined Maine AFL-CIO and Assistant Democratic Senate Leader Troy Jackson of Allagash at the statehouse on Thursday to […]
Posted inLetters
N. Willard: Irrational expressions of hatred
The latest letters to the Sun Journal from the anti-Obama, anti-liberal people are disturbing and depressing. I see an irrational expression of hatred for the president and Democrats and a misinterpretation of the facts. For example: “Liberals, along with the president, are changing moralism into socialism and paganism.” (Neil Bourgoin, Feb. 2) In a free […]
Posted inMaine
Maine panel explores regulating ‘narrow band’ insurance networks
AUGUSTA — A legislative panel is working on how Maine might regulate so-called “narrow band” networks offered by health insurance providers. The Insurance and Financial Services Committee on Thursday again tabled a pair of bills that seek to improve disclosure for patients and health care providers and to determine limits for how far a patient […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
After strong debate, Maine House votes to support revenue sharing bill
AUGUSTA — After a bitter floor debate, a measure to restore $40 million of state funding to Maine cities and towns advanced Thursday after a 114-21 preliminary vote in the House of Representatives. Republicans used procedural moves four times in attempts to delay a vote on the bill or send it back to committee for […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine House votes 114-21 in favor of revenue sharing bill
UPDATED 1:25 P.M.: LD 1762 advances in the Maine House after a 114-21 vote. AUGUSTA – A bill meant to restore $40 million in state revenue sharing for cities and towns will go before the Maine House of Representatives today. The bill, LD 1762, was approved by the Legislature’s budget-writing Appropriations Committee earlier this week on […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage nominates Bruce Fitzgerald as head of MEMA
AUGUSTA — Maine Gov. Paul LePage has nominated Bruce Fitzgerald to serve as the director of the Maine Emergency Management Agency. LePage said Thursday that Fitzgerald is “the right man to manage the agency in times of emergency.” The nomination is subject to confirmation by the Maine Senate. Fitzgerald has worked at MEMA since 2003 […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Lewiston Dems set March 2 caucus date
LEWISTON — The statewide Democratic municipal caucus date is set for Sunday, March 2. The Androscoggin County Democratic Committee is working with municipal committees and interested community members to organize the caucuses in Androscoggin County. Delegates and alternates to the Democratic State Convention will be elected, among other important activities. The convention will be held […]