Despite widespread belief, Maine is not the highest taxed state in the nation, but it’s close. So talking about raising taxes here doesn’t seem to make sense. Except that, when it comes to raising taxes on cigarettes, the result is healthier people. Healthier Mainers. That’s worth raising taxes for. We fully support a $1 increase […]

In the current climate of closing schools, cutting programs and trimming jobs in education, we must not forget that we can’t sacrifice real-life education in the process. Learning is more than books. It’s effort and experience. Students in Livermore Falls, Rumford, Dixfield, Bethel and Peru are taking their class work out of state, hoping to […]

In the current climate of closing schools, cutting programs and trimming jobs in education, we must not forget that we can’t sacrifice real-life education in the process. Learning is more than books. It’s effort and experience. Students in Livermore Falls, Rumford, Dixfield, Bethel and Peru are taking their class work out of state, hoping to […]

The Legislature’s Labor Committee voted last Thursday to support the creation of a super special death benefit for Maine’s firefighters. LD 1558 would provide “accidental” death benefits for firefighters who die of heart attacks within six months of retirement from firefighting, to be paid through the Maine Public Employees Retirement System. That’s the same system […]

The Legislature’s Labor Committee voted last Thursday to support the creation of a super special death benefit for Maine’s firefighters. LD 1558 would provide “accidental” death benefits for firefighters who die of heart attacks within six months of retirement from firefighting, to be paid through the Maine Public Employees Retirement System. That’s the same system […]

Three Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives recently announced they would not seek re-election, which set off a debate between Republican and Democratic leaders. Are the Republicans losing momentum? But a variety of Democrats have also announced they will not run. Are Democrats losing momentum? Who is losing momentum most quickly? Good grief! Is […]

Three Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives recently announced they would not seek re-election, which set off a debate between Republican and Democratic leaders. Are the Republicans losing momentum? But a variety of Democrats have also announced they will not run. Are Democrats losing momentum? Who is losing momentum most quickly? Good grief! Is […]

Town and city managers may serve at the whim and will of elected bodies, but officials who fire them too quickly or secretly will pay a price. That was the clear message coming out of 2009, which saw three appointed managers suddenly canned, followed by months of grief for the elected officials who did the […]

Town and city managers may serve at the whim and will of elected bodies, but officials who fire them too quickly or secretly will pay a price. That was the clear message coming out of 2009, which saw three appointed managers suddenly canned, followed by months of grief for the elected officials who did the […]

Jeers to the Auburn woman who has been arrested three times for stealing from three churches as they tried to help her. Sarah Runnion-Bareford, 33, was arrested Sunday and charged with receiving stolen property and violating conditions of her release, according to a story Wednesday from the Kennebec Journal. Police say Runnion-Bareford went to a […]