Posted inMaine

Maine House says, ‘yes’ to General Assistance for immigrants

AUGUSTA — The Maine House approved a bill Monday allowing asylum-seeking immigrants to collect up to 24 months of General Assistance payments from cities and towns. The bill faces additional hurdles in the Legislature and a likely veto from Republican Gov. Paul LePage. The House of Representatives, controlled by Democrats, largely split along party lines. […]

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Maine immigrants speak out against welfare reform bills

AUGUSTA — Lawmakers on the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee listened to more than four hours of testimony Wednesday on a half dozen bills sponsored by state Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, aimed at making major changes to the state’s welfare and General Assistance programs. Among other things, Brakey’s bills would make those who have […]

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Maine cities, towns prepare to defend revenue in next state budget

AUGUSTA — Maine’s cities and towns are bracing for what’s sure to be another battle over how much tax revenue the state should ship their way as part of the state’s revenue sharing program. The funds, meant to be 5 percent of all sales and income taxes collected, have increasingly become a source of funds […]

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LePage has until midnight to veto $40 million revenue sharing bill

AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage has until midnight Tuesday to decide whether he will sign, veto or allow a bill that restores about $40 million in revenue sharing to Maine cities and towns to pass into law without his signature. The bill, which passed on veto-proof majorities in the House and Senate earlier in February, […]

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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 […]

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Maine lawmakers still negotiating on state revenue share for cities

AUGUSTA — Lawmakers on the Legislature’s budget-writing Appropriations Committee said Wednesday they were still trying to reach a compromise on about $40 million in state funding for cities and towns. A cut to local revenue-sharing, the money the state sends to municipalities to help ease the burden of property taxes, was built into the current […]