AUGUSTA — Recent actions by State House Republicans could be a signal the power of firebrand Republican Gov. Paul LePage is waning as he heads toward the sixth month of his second term. Last week, Legislative Republican leaders split with LePage on his two-year state budget proposal, rejecting key LePage policy objectives around tax and […]
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Posted inMaine
Democrats on Maine taxation committee reject LePage referendum bill
AUGUSTA — On a mostly party-line vote, a legislative committee Wednesday rejected a proposal by Republican Gov. Paul LePage that would ask Maine voters to repeal the state’s income tax by 2020. The proposal seeks to put a ballot question before voters in November that would amend the state’s constitution to prohibit a state income […]
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Maine personal income lags behind nation in 2014
PORTLAND — Federal data say the growth of personal incomes of Maine residents lagged behind the national average and the rest of New England in 2014. The Bureau of Economic Analysis reports Wednesday that personal income in Maine grew 2.9 percent, ranking the state 40th in the nation. The national average for growth was 3.9 […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Auburn council disappointed by rink finances, continue support
AUBURN — Mayor Jonathan LaBonte reiterated his support for the city’s dual-rink ice arena Monday night, despite some disappointing financial forecasts. “I’m still supportive of this facility, but I think we have some digging to do to grow out of that first year,” LaBonte said during Monday night’s City Council workshop meeting. “Perhaps we were […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Northern counties see most income growth
PORTLAND — Federal data shows two of Maine’s northernmost counties posted the fastest personal income growth in the state in 2013. The Portland Press Herald reports that Aroostook County’s personal income grew by 4.4 percent while neighboring Piscataquis County saw a rise of 4.2 percent. Piscataquis has been Maine’s poorest county for several years. The […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Study ranks Maine as 10th poorest state
Maine ranks as the 10th poorest state in United States, according to a study by a financial information publisher. Wallet Hub ranked the 50 states and the District of Columbia based on income, GDP per capita and federal taxes paid per capita. Maine ranked (First would be best, 25th average, 51st worst): 38th in income 45th […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Census report shows fewer Mainers in poverty and lower incomes
AUGUSTA — Fewer Mainers were living in poverty in 2013 compared to the year before, but family income dropped as well, according to figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau on Thursday. The number of Mainers living in poverty declined 0.7 percent, from 189,786 to 180,639, according to the American Community Survey that polled people […]
Posted inMaine
Lewiston-Auburn tops national charts in income gap between rich and poor
LEWISTON — A new report issued Monday shows the gap between the rich and poor in the U.S. continues to grow and it highlights the gap in Lewiston-Auburn is one of the largest in the country. The report, issued by the United States Conference of Mayors, examines the difference between the average or mean and […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Federal report shows Maine 49th in real personal income growth
PORTLAND — The federal government reports that Maine’s rate of growth in real personal income from 2011 to 2012 was the second lowest in the United States. The Portland Press Herald (http://bit.ly/RSIAWP ) reported on Friday that Maine showed a 0.3 percent rate of growth in that time span, to $38,516. The U.S. Bureau of […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine parents raising children as costs rise but incomes don’t
PORTLAND — The cost of raising children is growing faster than parents’ abilities to pay it, a trend that’s placing more Maine youths in poverty and potentially leaving the next generation at a disadvantage as it inherits the state. “It just gets more expensive,” said Sarah Krajewski, a mother of three who lives in Bath. […]