Maine has slowed its spending on health care for prisoners over the past decade but remains one of the highest spenders in the country, according to a study conducted by two national nonprofit organizations. The report, “Managing Prison Health Care Spending,” was released Tuesday by the Pew Charitable Trusts and the John D. and Catherine […]
politics
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Study recommends more state funding for local schools
AUGUSTA — A major study of the state’s funding formula for public schools recommends increasing education spending by more than $260 million per year while also easing the property tax burden on poorer families. Members of the Legislature’s Education Committee on Tuesday focused on what the best possible education system in Maine should look like […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Lawmakers put Medicaid expansion on 2014 legislative agenda
AUGUSTA — Maine lawmakers will consider expanding Medicaid and replacing a troubled program that provides rides to medical appointments for Mainers among other bills next session. The Legislative Council, the 10-member bipartisan group of House and Senate floor leaders and presiding officers, approved about 100 of nearly 400 bills for consideration when the Democratic-controlled Legislature returns […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Lewiston school board: Mendros challenging incumbent St. Pierre
Second of five stories about the Lewiston School Committee races for the Nov. 5 election. Next: Newcomers Dawn Hartill and Matthew Roy compete for an open seat in Ward 6. LEWISTON — Voters in Ward 2, which includes Geiger and Montello elementary schools, will choose between School Committee incumbent Paul St. Pierre and challenger Stavros […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Landlords question Lewiston candidates
LEWISTON — Landlords gathered to question local candidates Tuesday night on topics including low-income housing projects and how much government is too much. The Lewiston Auburn Landlords Association hosted candidates running for City Council seats, giving each two minutes to address specific concerns brought forth by the association. Mayoral candidates Robert Macdonald and Laurent Gilbert […]
Posted inMaine
Lawmakers continue scrutiny of MaineCare ride program
AUGUSTA — The executives in charge of a new brokerage system for delivering non-emergency rides, under a program offered through MaineCare, the state’s Medicaid system, say they have largely corrected many of the problems that led to confusion, frustration and missed medical appointments earlier this fall. But advocates for those who receive the rides and […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Federal official blames contractors for HealthCare.gov problems
WASHINGTON — The official most responsible for the rollout of the Obamacare health-insurance exchange Tuesday blamed outside contractors for the website woes, not her staff, in testimony before a House committee. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, led by Marilyn Tavenner, was responsible for building and running the exchange website that is supposed to […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Economist says Maine needs to help aging workers who stay in labor market
AUGUSTA — An economist says Maine needs to find ways to capitalize on the growing number of older adults who are staying in the workforce longer than ever. John Dorrer, who specializes in workforce development, told a panel of lawmakers, education and business leaders Tuesday that there’s been a dramatic increase in the number of […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Democrat Smith reports $8,054 raised for 2nd Congressional District race
PORTLAND — Former Navy officer Alden Smith raised just over $8,000 from July through September for his campaign for the Maine’s 2nd Congressional District seat. In his quarterly finance report filed with the Federal Election Commission, Smith reported raising $8,054 during the quarter. Smith, of Sangerville, is one of three Democrats running for the seat […]
Posted inMaine
Lawmakers get update on status of Riverview
AUGUSTA — Lawmakers on the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee on Tuesday were updated on the status of the state’s embattled Riverview Psychiatric Center. The state’s only “forensic” hospital that houses people with violent mental illnesses has for months been under the scrutiny of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The hospital is […]