AUGUSTA — What a difference a year makes. Or not. The legislative session that began Wednesday will pick up where the previous session left off in June, with much of the attention on Medicaid expansion and the state budget. The question is whether there is any chance that lawmakers, whose disagreement last year nearly shut […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage defies Maine AG on releasing report; tells AG: ‘Sue me’
Our View: LePage won’t let public see costly report AUGUSTA — In a letter to Republican Gov. Paul LePage, the state’s top law enforcement officer demanded he follow the law and release copies of a publicly funded study of the state’s welfare system. Maine Attorney General Janet Mills on Wednesday sent LePage a terse letter regarding […]
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EMCC professor explores running for U.S. Senate as an independent
BANGOR — An adjunct ethics professor at Eastern Maine Community College is considering a run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Susan Collins, he announced during a sparsely attended Tuesday morning press conference at the Bangor Public Library. Mike Turcotte, 49, said he has set up an exploratory committee and launched a website, […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Local businesses don’t take EBT cards, but have ATM machines
But when the Sun Journal quizzed business managers and owners at local businesses cited in LePage’s news release, they all denied accepting the cards at their registers. They all said they have had ATM machines on the premises of their businesses at some point. In his written statement, LePage’s office says the numbers show “thousands […]
Posted inMaine
Federal judge denies Maine DHHS appeal on Riverview funds
AUGUSTA — A state appeal of a federal government decision to cut about $20 million in funding from the state-run Riverview Psychiatric Center has been denied by a federal judge. That means state lawmakers will now have to wrestle with filling the gap as they head into the second half of the 126th legislative session […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage releases data showing EBT cards used at bars and smoke shops
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage released information on Tuesday that he says demonstrates that welfare benefits in Maine are being abused. But the data LePage cited to make his case for abuse represents a tiny fraction of all transactions involving electronic benefits cards issued to the state’s welfare recipients. The data was compiled by the […]
Posted inMaine
LePage administration withholds consultant’s report on welfare reform
AUGUSTA — State officials are continuing to deny access to a publicly funded study examining Maine’s welfare system, including the possible impacts of a Medicaid expansion here. The study, commissioned on a no-bid contract for $925,200 by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, is being completed by a Rhode Island-based consulting company, the […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Collins, King support bill to extend unemployment benefits
WASHINGTON — White House-backed legislation to renew benefits for the long-term unemployed unexpectedly cleared an initial Senate hurdle on Tuesday, but the bill’s fate remained in doubt in a politically charged election year. The vote came as the two parties made clear they intend to battle for the support of millions of voters who have […]
Posted inMaine
Maine lawmakers prep for short session to start Wednesday
AUGUSTA —Bills addressing issues ranging from slot machines to renewable energy to revamping a state-sponsored health care rides program await lawmakers Wednesday at the State House. The first week of the “short session,” which is set to end in April, starts this week. But topping the list is what appears to be a more than […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Michaud’s gubernatorial campaign raises more than $1 million
AUGUSTA — U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud’s campaign says the Democratic candidate has raised more than $1 million in his bid to become Maine governor. The campaign said Monday that it raised almost $700,000 in the last half of 2013. That’s on top of the $313,000 it raised last June. Michaud’s campaign says no other privately […]