AUGUSTA — It’s not clear whether Gov. Paul LePage will try again to give his successor in the state’s top job a pay raise. Because Maine hasn’t increased the governor’s $70,000-a-year salary since 1987, the governor now earns substantially less than any of his peers around the country. That may not matter to lawmakers skeptical […]
salaries
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Civil lawsuit against Androscoggin County Commission to proceed
AUBURN — A civil lawsuit filed against the Androscoggin County Commission will proceed after a superior court found certain claims made by the suing cities and towns of Androscoggin County have sufficient merit to go to trial. The court ruled, however, that the case will proceed only against the County Commission as a legislative body, […]
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Posted inMaine
Maine Legislature shields staff salaries from Open Checkbook disclosure
AUGUSTA — State employees working for the Maine Legislature have had their salary and benefits information shielded from a state-operated, public database that provides the same information on all other state workers. While the salary information for partisan and non-partisan employees at the Maine Legislature remains public information, officials have been unable to explain exactly […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Lawyers: Towns can’t sue Androscoggin County
AUBURN — Attorneys for the Androscoggin County commissioners have once again asked the superior court to dismiss a complaint filed by 13 Androscoggin County towns, arguing the towns do not have standing to file a civil complaint against commissioners. They assert that standing belongs to voters. Commissioners, through their attorneys, also argue that the towns’ […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Towns attack commissioners’ motion to dismiss case
AUBURN — Thirteen municipalities suing Androscoggin County commissioners for their votes on salaries and benefits have attacked the commissioners’ motion to dismiss the case. The lawsuit, with Lewiston in the lead, was filed in Androscoggin County Superior Court in July and contends that commissioners overstepped their powers in approving the county budget by voting in […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Androscoggin commissioners may use county money to defend themselves against lawsuit
AUBURN — Following an executive session with their attorneys that lasted nearly two hours Wednesday evening, the Androscoggin County commissioners released a statement saying it would defend itself against a lawsuit filed by 12 of the 14 county municipalities. The seven county commissioners voted unanimously to defend themselves “at county expense” against the lawsuit if […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Lewiston favors taking Androscoggin County to court over budget authority
LEWISTON — City councilors favor challenging county budget rules in court, they said Tuesday. City Administrator Ed Barrett on Tuesday outlined three ways councilors and other Androscoggin County municipal leaders could react to charter amendments county commissioners proposed last month. The amendment is meant to govern the county’s budget process. Barrett said councilors could accept […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Committee signs plea to AG over Androscoggin County pay authority
AUBURN — A dozen members of the Androscoggin County Budget Committee have signed a plea to Maine’s Attorney General seeking help to end the growing controversy over the authority to set pay for elected county commissioners. Meanwhile, the debate is growing among the county’s 14 towns. By next Wednesday, selectmen and councilors in at least […]
Posted inRiver Valley
Rumford approves 7 percent interest charge on late taxes
RUMFORD — Residents voted 57-37 at Monday evening’s annual town business meeting to set charges on all unpaid taxes after the due date at 7 percent, and that 3 percent interest be paid on overpayment of taxes. The article also stated that the due dates for the collection of property taxes will be set on […]