About 20 percent of the state’s public schools so far have failed to meet the federal standards in reading and math established by No Child Left Behind.Of Maine’s 711 schools, 132 did not make the “annual yearly progress” required by the 2001 law. Results from another 61 schools need further evaluation, and it’s possible the […]

Perhaps it’s nothing more than a childhood lesson being put into service for city government, but we like the effort by mayors Normand Guay of Auburn and Lionel Guay of Lewiston to work together.The two mayors held a press conference Wednesday to announce that the Twin Cities will create an advisory committee to explore ways […]

It didn’t take Brian Hamel, who is challenging Rep. Michael Michaud in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, long to pounce on a cheap political ploy nicely delivered by congressional Republicans just in time for the election.Last week, House Republicans pushed through legislation that would place the phrase “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance beyond judicial […]

There’s trouble brewing in the world of home mortgages.A report released last week by government regulators says that Fannie Mae has used improper accounting methods and challenges its financial reports.Similar problems were identified last year at Freddie Mac, which was fined $125 million.Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae finance about half the mortgages in the country. […]

President Bush’s campaign has found a way around spending limits imposed as part of the deal for accepting $75 million in public financing.Political parties are limited this year to spending $16 million in coordination with their presidential candidate. Using a glaring loophole in campaign finance law, Bush is able to exploit and coordinate Republican Party […]

It’s not clear what impact the Maine Chamber of Commerce’s alternative to the proposed 1 percent tax cap will have this November. But we applaud the effort.While the plan is a solid compendium of several good ideas that have been percolating in Augusta for some time, it’s a difficult sale for people so fed up […]

If the Palesky tax-cap proposal shows anything, it’s that tax policy should not be written at the ballot box.Complicated, systemwide problems require solutions that go beyond sloganeering and electioneering.Nonetheless, there is a campaign underfoot to establish a new tax in Maine targeted specifically at a single industry. Supporters have begun collecting signatures to place a […]

Bangor Daily News, Sept. 20 The Maine Chamber of Commerce promised a month or so ago to provide an alternative to the Palesky tax cap, allowing voters to reject the heavy-handed swipe at municipal governments while having reason to believe a better option was likely. Last week, chamber President Dana Connors delivered a serious alternative.The […]

The following is part of a continuing series analyzing political advertising this campaign season.Who’s paying for the ad: Citizens United to Protect Our Public Safety, Schools and Communities. Members include the Maine Municipal Association and Maine Education Association.TV ad title: “Lajoie”Length: 30 secondsProducer: Stevens Reed Curcio & Potholm of Alexandria, Va.Market: Statewide television beginning Sept. […]

People will walk past a castoff penny left on the sidewalk, deciding it’s not worth the trouble to bend over and pick it up. We toss pennies into fountains and wells, hoping to buy a wish on the cheap. We offer a penny for someone’s thoughts, even if we don’t think they’re worth a cent.Pennies […]