Gov. Baldacci should move forward with a special session of the Legislature to address a possible home heating oil crisis this winter.Baldacci has committed to asking the Legislature for $5 million in funding to fill an expected gap in the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which is called LIHEAP.Despite the yeomen efforts of […]

Wayne Elkins made a mistake when he and a group of fellow veterans tried to remove a peace display legally placed at Veterans Memorial Park in Waterville. Elkins was arrested last Thursday along with four others and charged with criminal trespass.Now Elkins, who is the commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1285, faces discipline […]

In October, an internal Wal-Mart memo provided an insider’s view of the debate about health care going on inside the world’s largest retailer.Prepared by a Wal-Mart executive, the memo outlined measures the company could take to reduce its spending on health care. Essentially, the memo laid out a strategy to attract young, healthy workers and […]

We could almost hear the collective groan around the state when opponents of the state’s new anti-discrimination law, which was ratified by voters Tuesday, said they would continue their fight – with a changed focus on preventing the legalization of same-sex marriage.Anti-discrimination – commonly called gay rights in this context – has been an issue […]

Bond Question 6 on Tuesday’s ballot had several things working against it.It was the last bond question listed, it was on the back of the ballot, and the wording has been criticized for being too vague.Question 6 asked voters to approve $9 million for improvements to the state’s university and community college systems. But ultimately, […]

It would have been easy for Auburn voters to lash out against a new charter for the city.Last weekend, the city sent warning letters to homeowners describing the effects of a revaluation. Many people got a serious shock as the assessed value of their property jumped by double or triple digits. Estimates of possible property […]

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has managed, in an unprecedented manner, to alienate every stakeholder along the Androscoggin River.The terms of a deal between the state and the paper mills over discharge licenses have been appealed by everyone involved. The mills, Florida Light and Power, and state and national environmental groups have all attacked […]

We owe a tremendous debt to the men and women of the U.S. military. On Veterans Day, we have a special duty to honor their service and sacrifice.While there’s a great divide on the war in Iraq, there should be no question that the country remains united in support of its soldiers, sailors, aviators and […]

Maine voters appear to have mixed feelings about Gov. Baldacci.In a Critical Insights poll conducted in October, only 38 percent of those asked said that the governor deserves to be re-elected. Forty-five percent said he doesn’t deserve re-election, and 16 percent said they didn’t know. But on Tuesday, state voters endorsed several important – and […]

Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe is expected to be the swing vote today on a large package of tax cuts being considered by the U.S. Senate Finance Committee.There are 11 Republicans on the committee and nine Democrats. Everyone except Snowe has made their position known. Democrats have said they will oppose the legislation, which extends through […]