The gas tax increase endorsed Thursday by the Legislature’s Transportation Committee should be considered one of the great disappointments of this session. Funding the state’s transportation infrastructure needs more than more money – it needs a complete overhaul of its philosophy.It was clear a year ago, when gasoline prices surged, that the subsequent decrease in […]

Cheers and jeers from around the news:• Jeers to whatever has gotten into selectmen in Andover. The River Valley town is weighing a second recall of Selectman Susan Merrow, which turned a recent meeting into a screaming match. Merrow narrowly kept her seat in a recall vote last November.There are differences of opinion all the […]

Tony previews this weekend’s editorial:

Affixing labels on restaurant menus to broadcast each item’s calorie count is a small-fry approach to Maine’s problems of nutrition and obesity, and one that should be done. Having more information about what we are eating is always worthwhile.Legislation sponsored by House Speaker Hannah Pingree, LD 1259, would mandate calorie labeling for all restaurants with […]

Tony previews tomorrow’s editorial:

What do the Maine Legislature and Red Sox manager Terry Francona have in common? Both made unpopular decisions regarding important people this week, in response to present conditions and to improve the long-term viability of the organization.They did what needed to be done.On Francona’s part, it was acknowledging that David Ortiz cannot hit third anymore. […]

Tony previews tomorrow’s editorial:

In the past week, some officials in Lewiston have discussed altering the city’s Charter to allow for greater balance of power between city councilors and city administration. The present Charter, they claim, has vested too much authority with the management.While its always proper to question how government works, there hasn’t been enough evidence presented to […]

Tony previews tomorrow’s editorial:

If you live in Lewiston-Auburn, or Aroostook County, odds are that you’ll find either a leaflet, or a person, on your doorstep advertising a “public option” for health insurance. Don’t be alarmed if or when you do.The idea is not that scary.A public option is a government-run health insurance program to compete with private insurers. […]