PORTLAND — Buried in early campaign filings, a subtle shift has begun in the race for Maine’s next governor. Democratic donors who rallied behind independent candidate Eliot Cutler in the last election have begun to send their checks instead to Democrat Mike Michaud, a five-term U.S. congressman. The small group of defectors includes Cutler’s former […]
politics
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Pentagon plan would grant benefits to same-sex spouses but deny them to unmarried gay couples
WASHINGTON (AP) — Same-sex spouses of military members could get health care, housing and other benefits by the end of August under a proposal being considered by the Pentagon. But earlier plans to provide benefits to gay partners who are not married may be reversed. A draft Defense Department memo obtained Wednesday by The Associated […]
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Posted inMaine
Changes to Maine’s property tax relief programs catch many off guard
LEWISTON — Changes to a state rent and property tax relief program aimed at helping low- and middle-income individuals and families are catching many who benefited from the program off guard. Many are no longer eligible for the programs and others are learning that their rebates have been steeply cut. About 75,000 Maine households will […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Sen. Susan Collins outlines ideas to reduce government waste
PORTLAND — U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, outlined steps she believes could help the federal government make progress toward resolving its budget crisis during a Thursday morning address before the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce. Among those steps, according to a transcript of her prepared remarks provided to the BDN by the senator’s office, are […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. Paul LePage wants Legislature to fast track $100 million transportation bond
AUGUSTA — In a letter sent to the Democratic legislative leadership Wednesday, Republican Gov. Paul LePage said time is running out to reconvene the Legislature and approve sending his proposed $100 million transportation bond to voters this November. Both parties say they support the transportation bond, but there is disagreement over how quickly it needs […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Sen. Angus King talks about how to get things done in D.C.
LEWISTON — U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, sat down for a conversation with the editors and owners of the Sun Journal Thursday. King spoke on a range of topics from gridlock in Washington to the successful passage of federal legislation to fixing the interest rates on student loans to how he works as a member […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Waterville spouses to run against each other in city election
WATERVILLE — A married couple will run against each other in a municipal election this November. Republican David Johnson is scheduled to face off against Democrat Jennifer Johnson for Waterville’s Ward 1 warden position. Wardens are in charge of voting at the city’s polling place. Jennifer tells the Morning Sentinel (http://bit.ly/16wKxcg ) the election will […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Alden Smith announces run for 2nd Congressional District seat
PORTLAND — Two Maine men have announced plans to run for Congress. Thirty-one-year-old Alden Smith of Sangerville says he’s running in the Democratic primary for the 2nd Congressional District. The seat is now held by Democrat Mike Michaud, who’s likely to run for governor instead of re-election to Congress. Smith says he’s a former Navy […]
Posted inMaine
Schools face new debt for MaineCare payments
AUBURN — Nearly 20 public school systems in Maine are being asked to repay often sizable MaineCare funding from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. Robert Nadeau, a lawyer representing 12 of the school systems, including the Auburn School Department, said he’s aware of more than $2 million the department is trying to […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage names Carlisle McLean as new chief legal counsel
AUGUSTA — Maine Gov. Paul LePage has named a new chief legal counsel after the deployment of his former top lawyer to Afghanistan. Carlisle McLean, who was promoted on Wednesday, has served as LePage’s general counsel since 2012. She replaces Michael Cianchette, a U.S. Navy Reserve officer who resigned for a yearlong deployment in Kabul, […]