So far, no tragedy.That’s not much of an endorsement for the way Lewiston and Auburn conduct their code enforcement.While the two cities are booming with new growth, the number of people assigned to make sure the construction meets city standards has stayed the same. According to an analysis by the Sun Journal, since 2000 the […]

Sen. Olympia Snowe had a private meeting with Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito Jr. last week.During the meeting, Alito tried to convince Snowe that he respects precedent and understands the importance of decisions like Roe in American life.What Snowe really wanted to know – what everyone really wants to know – is whether Alito would […]

Maine’s system of public financing for candidates running for state office is running short of cash.So far, there are eight announced candidates for governor. Six have said they will seek public money to fund their campaigns.And it’s still early.There’s plenty of time for a Green Independent Party candidate to jump in. With no clear-cut front-runner […]

One state legislator, speaking in all seriousness, told the Sun Journal that without an aggressive state response to a predicted heating oil crisis this winter, she was afraid Mainers would die.They will be faced with the stark choice of medicine, heat or food, with no right answer.Gov. Baldacci and leaders in the Legislature decided Thursday […]

An editorial published Nov. 17 explained the details of the state’s expanded property tax and rent refund program, describing the benefits available and the criteria. The editorial should have included information on how to receive an application.Applications are available online at: http://www.maine.gov/revenue/netfile/TNRIfile.htm.The forms should also be available in town offices, the Area Agency on Aging, […]

Standing before a packed house Thursday night, Teddy Roosevelt IV, the great-grandson of the first President Roosevelt, delivered to state lawmakers and environmental leaders a tough-to-hear assessment of their efforts on many issues.Roosevelt, a managing director for Lehman Brothers in New York, is a throwback to a different time in American politics. He’s a Republican, […]

Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe put her power as the swing vote on the Senate Finance Committee to good use, forcing the panel to compromise on efforts to extend large cuts in the tax rate on dividends and capital gains.Republicans – except for Snowe – and Democrats were evenly split on a measure that would have […]

Progress in the tense relationship between Israel and Palestinians requires engagement at the highest levels of government. That much is certain. Allowing the two sides to sort through detailed negotiations on their own is following a road to nowhere.To understand the cantankerous nature of the Middle East, look to this week’s agreement that will allow […]

Take the day off – from smoking.Today is the 29th annual Great American Smokeout, a day when the American Cancer Society volunteers fan out across communities and try to convince smokers to quit for 24 hours. If they can make it that first day without a cigarette, maybe they’ll succeed in the tough job of […]

Auburn’s property revaluation and projected tax increases have many homeowners worried – worried enough, in fact, that more than 300 people turned out for a meeting Monday night that has been likened to the beginnings of a tax revolt.Property values in Auburn have been soaring, which is good news when it comes time to sell. […]