AUGUSTA — A range of groups focused on human rights and social justice rallied at the State House on Friday to cry foul over a proposal by the Department of Health and Human Services to deny general assistance to immigrants newly arrived in Maine. Robyn Merrill, a senior policy analyst for Maine Equal Justice Partners, […]
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Posted inMaine
Consultant says expanding Medicaid in Maine could cost $807 million
AUGUSTA — A consultant’s report that shows expanding Medicaid in Maine could cost the state $807 million over 10 years renders the proposal unaffordable, Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Mary Mayhew said Friday. The long-awaited report’s findings were presented at a news conference by Mayhew and Gary Alexander, the author of the report […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine Democrats say there is a $100 million shortfall in DHHS budget
House Majority Leader Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham, told reporters during a news conference Friday that in addition to rumors he and his colleagues have heard this week, LePage confirmed the $100 million DHHS shortfall to legislative leaders during a meeting on Thursday. “This has been going around the building and through the grapevine,” said Berry. “The […]
Posted inBusiness
Pine State Trading wins 10-year state liquor contract
AUGUSTA — The state has picked Pine State Trading to run Maine’s wholesale liquor business for the next 10 years. The Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations announced mid-morning Thursday that Pine State will oversee what’s being called “spirits administration.” The company bid almost half as much as its competitor, All Maine Spirits, also […]
Posted inBusiness, Nation / World, sj-web
U.S. economy gained 74,000 jobs in December
WASHINGTON — U.S. employers added a scant 74,000 jobs in December, the fewest in three years. The disappointing figure ends 2013 on a weak note and raises questions about whether the job market can sustain its recent gains. Economists cautioned that cold weather likely played a role in the sharp slowdown in hiring. Job gains […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie fires aide, apologizes for traffic jams
TRENTON, N.J. — Moving quickly to quell a widening political scandal, Gov. Chris Christie fired one of his top aides Thursday and apologized repeatedly for the “abject stupidity” of his staff, insisting he had no idea anyone around him had engineered traffic jams as retribution against a Democratic mayor. “I am embarrassed and humiliated by […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
LePage signs GMO labeling bill
AUGUSTA — A bill that requires labeling for genetically modified food is going to become law in Maine. The bill, approved by the Legislature in the last session signed by Maine Gov. Paul LePage on Wednesday, will only go into effect if other Northeastern states approve similar measures. The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association […]
Posted inMaine
DHHS to release Medicaid report Friday
LEWISTON — The Department of Health and Human Services has scheduled a 1 p.m. news conference Friday to present findings of the so-called Alexander report. Gary Alexander, who has been contracted by DHHS to study Maine’s welfare programs, will also attend to present his “Feasibility of Medicaid Expansion in Maine under the Affordable Care Act” […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
State will not renew contract with Connecticut ride broker CTS
The state’s Office of MaineCare Services plans to sever ties with a Connecticut company hired to broker car rides for MaineCare patients, following complaints that the company failed to deliver on thousands of rides. The company, Coordinated Transportation Solutions, signed a $28.3 million contract with the state last year and began operating Aug. 1. Almost […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Casinos argue against expanding gambling in Maine
BANGOR — Leaders of Maine’s two casinos told members of a legislative committee Wednesday that the state has reached its saturation point with gambling and opposed a series of bills seeking to expand the industry. Representatives of some of the groups behind the proposals, which include two of the state’s Indian tribes, told members of […]