PORTLAND — The Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled on Tuesday that Central Maine Power Co. kept $2.6 million more in deposit payments than it should have, a move state regulators say threatened to inflate customers’ rates. In a ruling written by Chief Justice Leigh Saufley, the state’s highest court affirmed a decision by the Maine […]
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Posted inLetters
D. Prince: The rich make the rules
I am always deeply moved when I salute the American flag. The America that I envision when I pledge my allegiance is a land of equal opportunity and equal justice for all. The Supreme Court recently ruled that that America will never exist. The ruling was that the very rich can donate unlimited money to […]
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Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Supreme Court strikes down overall limits on campaign contributions
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court has struck down limits in federal law on the overall campaign contributions the biggest individual donors may make to candidates, political parties and political action committees. The justices said in a 5-4 vote Wednesday that Americans have a right to give the legal maximum to candidates for Congress and president, […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage seeks candidates for Maine supreme court vacancy
AUGUSTA (AP) — Gov. Paul LePage says he’s looking for applications for an anticipated vacancy on Maine’s supreme court. Supreme Judicial Court Justice Jon Levy is awaiting U.S. Senate confirmation to the federal bench. Last week, his nomination cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee. LePage said he’s looking forward to finding a candidate “of the highest […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Supreme Court case on abortion clinic buffer zones could affect Portland, polling places
PORTLAND — Local and regional Planned Parenthood officials say if the U.S. Supreme Court throws out buffer zones intended to keep anti-abortion protesters away from their clinics, similar protective areas aimed at safeguarding voters’ rights at the polls could be jeopardized as well. The nation’s highest court is expected to hear oral arguments in the […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Supreme Court puts Utah same-sex marriage on hold
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday put same-sex marriages on hold in Utah, at least while a federal appeals court more fully considers the issue. The court issued a brief order blocking any new same-sex unions in the state. The order grants an emergency appeal by the state following the Dec. 20 ruling by […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine court orders release of 911 transcripts from Biddeford shooting
PORTLAND (AP) — The Maine supreme court has ordered law enforcement officials to release transcripts of 911 calls from last year’s fatal shootings of two teenagers in Biddeford. The court unanimously overturned a judge’s decision to ban release of the transcripts from three calls in the case of a 75-year-old man charged in killing two […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Supreme Court to begin term
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is beginning a new term with controversial issues that offer the court’s conservative majority the chance to move aggressively to undo limits on campaign contributions, undermine claims of discrimination in housing and mortgage lending, and allow for more government-sanctioned prayer. Assuming the government shutdown doesn’t get in their way, […]
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 […]
Posted inOp-Eds
Froma Harrop: Take government out of the marriage business
The Supreme Court’s boost for same-sex marriage was just and overdue. But the arguments, pro and con, begged a bigger question: Should government be involved in marriage at all? The answer would seem “no.” Marriage should be the business of clergy and ship captains. The government should bestow its blessings only on civil unions, however […]