WASHINGTON (AP) – The owner of a Maine bakery is in Washington to testify at a Senate hearing that will look into the rise in food prices.

The Homeland Security Committee will examine whether federal renewable fuel policy favoring corn-based ethanol is contributing to higher prices for food.

Sen. Susan Collins, the ranking Republican on the committee, says the panel wants to look at biofuel mandates and how they relate to food prices.

The witnesses at Wednesday’s hearing include Andrew Siegel, vice president and treasurer of When Pigs Fly, a bakery based in York.

Jetport director stepping down

PORTLAND (AP) – There’s another change at the top of the transportation administration in Maine’s largest city.

Portland International Jetport Director Jeff Schultes is stepping down to take a similar post at Bradley International Airport outside Hartford, Conn. Schultes has served 16 years as jetport manager and is credited with bringing low-cost carriers to Portland.

City Manager Joe Gray announced that assistant manager, Paul Bradbury, will take over as manager.

Car buyers to get dealer refunds

AUGUSTA (AP) – Maine Attorney General Steve Rowe says 22 car buyers are getting $550 apiece under a consent decree signed in Kennebec County Superior Court.

Rowe says the agreement bars Level 10 Marketing of New Orleans and Maine’s Newcastle Chrysler Dodge Jeep from engaging in unfair and deceptive advertising.

The attorney general’s consumer protection division investigated purchases made during a sales event in November 2006 that offered “vouchers” that appeared to promise $4,000 in “Instant Savings.” In fact, Rowe says consumers never received those savings.

Neither company admitted to any wrongdoing. But they agreed to pay a civil penalty of $6,250 in addition to the refunds to customers.

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