AUGUSTA — Lawmakers on the Legislature’s budget-writing Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee will convene Thursday to start work on a $150 million state borrowing package. Republican Gov. Paul LePage and leaders in the Democratic majority reached a tentative deal late Friday on a bonding package they hope to send out for voter approval in November. […]
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Posted inMaine
LePage, lawmakers reach agreement on $150 million bonding package
AUGUSTA — Leaders of the state Legislature’s Democratic majority and Republican Gov. Paul LePage announced late Friday they had reached a deal on a $149.5 million state borrowing package they hope to put before voters in November. The funding would be used for a variety of statewide infrastructure improvements, including repairs and reconstruction for state-owned […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine’s congressional delegation to shop same health care options as us
While the federal Affordable Care Act generally will let people stick with the health insurance they already have, that principle doesn’t extend to members of the U.S. Senate and House and the staffers who run their offices. A provision in the controversial law subjects Congress to one of Obamacare’s major initiatives. Senators, representatives and their […]
Posted inMaine
Feds may cut funds for Riverview Psychiatric Center
AUGUSTA — The Riverview Psychiatric Center could see more than half of its operating budget stripped away by the federal government for failing to meet guidelines. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services cited overcrowding and inadequate staffing for its threat to withhold $20 million by Sept. 2. Gov. Paul LePage blamed lawmakers for failing […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen resigns
AUGUSTA – Maine Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen announced Friday that he will resign effective Sept. 12 to take a job with the national Council of Chief State School Officers, according to a statement from Gov. Paul LePage. Bowen, who was appointed by LePage in March 2011, will be the organization’s strategic initiative director of innovation […]
Posted inMaine
LePage issues executive order on police use of drones in Maine
AUGUSTA — Maine State Police will have until February to develop a policy on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles for law enforcement, according to Gov. Paul LePage. On Wednesday, LePage signed an executive order directing the commissioner of the Department of Public Safety to develop the policy. “It is reasonable to ensure we have […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Andy County GOP to meet in Wales
WALES — The Androscoggin County Republican Committee monthly meeting will be held on Monday, Aug. 19, at 7 p.m., at the Wales Town Office meeting room located at 175 Centre Road. The Bylaws Committee will continue to present proposed bylaw revisions and the County Committee will vote on them.
Posted inMaine, sj-web
ANALYSIS: Despite familiar names 2014 governor’s race is far different than 2010’s
AUGUSTA, Maine — With two of the same names likely to go on the November ballot, the 2014 gubernatorial election may look on the surface like a repeat of the three-way contest in 2010. But political experts in Maine say the race will be very different this time around. The biggest difference is six-term U.S. […]
Posted inMaine
Michaud says he wants to restore Maine’s dignity
LEWISTON — In a city that’s often supported him by more than a 2-1 ratio, U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud said Thursday he was officially running to be Maine’s next governor. In front of a boisterous crowd of about 200 at the Franco-American Heritage Center in Lewiston’s Little Canada neighborhood, Michaud said he wanted to return […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Obama scraps U.S. military exercises with Egypt
CHILMARK, Mass. — President Barack Obama on Thursday canceled joint U.S.-Egypt military exercises, saying America’s traditional cooperation with Egypt “cannot continue as usual” while violence and instability deepen in the strategically important nation. It’s unclear whether scrapping the Bright Star exercise will have any impact in stopping the clashes between Egypt’s military-backed interim government and […]