AUGUSTA — The state’s struggling non-emergency ride program has made some marginal improvements but is nowhere near where state officials or those who depend upon it and volunteer for it would like. Lawmakers on the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday revisited issues that started with the $40 million program after the state […]
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Posted inBusiness, sj-web
LePage: Three out-of-state companies to visit Maine
AUGUSTA (AP) — Gov. Paul LePage said three out-of-state companies are visiting Maine this month because they’re interested in doing business here. The Republican governor said on Tuesday that the visits came out of meetings he had with companies at the U.S. Manufacturing Summit last month hosted by Walmart and the National Retail Federation in […]
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LePage brags that welfare fraud prosecutions are up
AUGUSTA — Maine Gov. Paul LePage says the state is prosecuting more cases of welfare fraud and abuse. The Republican governor said Tuesday that 45 cases of fraud were referred to the Fraud Investigation and Recovery Unit in 2012, compared with 32 in 2011. His office says there were only 10 cases referred to the […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Steve Abbott leaving UMaine to rejoin Sen. Collins’ staff
ORONO — Steve Abbott this week will announce his departure from the University of Maine, where he serves as athletic director, to rejoin the staff of Sen. Susan Collins. Abbott, who in June agreed to remain in that position through December, is expected to announce this week that he is rejoining Collins’ staff and will leave […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage signs executive order requiring suicide prevention policies in state departments
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage has signed an executive order designed to boost suicide prevention efforts in Maine. The order signed by the Republican governor on Tuesday requires the state departments to develop suicide prevention and awareness policies. Each state agency will educate employees about the resources available to themselves or co-workers who they feel […]
Posted inMaine
Collins and Michaud say they oppose U.S. strike against Syria
Just minutes before President Barack Obama addressed the nation on Syria U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R- Maine, said she could not support a Senate resolution authorizing U.S. military action in the civil war-torn nation. Moments later, U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, D-Maine, joined in saying he would oppose a unilateral strike by the U.S. “I have […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
National pot group to focus efforts on Maine legalization
The Marijuana Policy Project, based in Washington, D.C., made the announcement the day before the federal Senate Judiciary Committee will hold hearings on laws approved by voters in Washington and Colorado last year to legalize the recreational use of pot by adults. On Aug. 29, the U.S. Justice Department announced that it would not seek […]
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Anthem defends proposed insurance changes
AUGUSTA — Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield defended its proposal Monday to transfer about 9,000 Maine residents from their current coverage plans to plans that exclude several hospitals, a move that has been criticized as limiting people’s ability to choose their doctors. Anthem officials told Maine insurance regulators — who will now decide whether […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Mentally ill more likely to be in prison than a hospital
The move in the Legislature came as Riverview faced the prospect of losing $20 million in federal funds after an unannounced inspection of the 92-bed facility by federal officials. In an 88-page inspection report, the officials pointed out a number of deficiencies that put the funding at risk, from a failure to ensure staff and […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine commission meets to study casino expansion
AUGUSTA (AP) — A group is meeting in Augusta to discuss how the state should best expand gambling in Maine. Maine lawmakers, casino owners and representatives from the state’s tribes and veterans groups are among the 20 members on the Gaming Commission. The group meets for the second time on Friday at the State House. […]