Central Maine Power has agreed to give $50 million to energy-assistance programs that will benefit low-income electric customers — in Massachusetts. CMP will provide $50 million over 40 years to several programs and initiatives in Massachusetts, as a condition of winning the bid to build a high-voltage transmission line from Quebec through Maine that will […]
assistance
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Connections, Livermore Falls Advertiser, Rumford Falls Times, The Franklin Journal
USDA to immediately assist producers with program losses
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will issue $34 million to help agricultural producers recover from 2017 natural disasters through the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP), which covers losses not covered by certain other USDA disaster assistance programs. These payments are being made available now, and they are part of […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Donald Trump wants to cut heating oil assistance to the poor
PORTLAND (AP) — The Trump administration is once again calling for the complete elimination of a heating assistance program that helps to keep the homes of low-income families warm. And once again, program supporters are vowing to fight it. The administration is using the same arguments from a year ago when it tried to abolish […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Connections, Livermore Falls Advertiser, Rumford Falls Times, The Franklin Journal
USDA approves emergency forest restoration assistance
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Executive Director Marcia Hall has announced that Androscoggin and Oxford counties are approved to accept applications for the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) to address damages due to high wind and rain from the severe storm on Oct. 29. EFRP provides payments to eligible owners […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Oxford Hills
Commissioners told towing companies want fair share of calls
SOUTH PARIS — Oxford County commissioners heard Tuesday that some local towing operators are feeling neglected because they are not being assigned what they feel is their share of accident calls. Deputy Director of Communications Geff Inman told commissioners, “We don’t have control of the wreckers, we don’t have control of who calls them, and […]
Posted inMaine
Maine House says, ‘yes’ to General Assistance for immigrants
AUGUSTA — The Maine House approved a bill Monday allowing asylum-seeking immigrants to collect up to 24 months of General Assistance payments from cities and towns. The bill faces additional hurdles in the Legislature and a likely veto from Republican Gov. Paul LePage. The House of Representatives, controlled by Democrats, largely split along party lines. […]
Posted inMaine
Maine’s city lawmakers stand together in support of immigrant aid
AUGUSTA — A group of lawmakers from Maine’s largest cities opposed a new, two-year state budget that makes it easier to deny financial help to asylum-seeking immigrants. During a series of floor speeches late Tuesday night, lawmakers from Lewiston, Bangor and Portland decried the rejection of changes in the state budget that would have allowed […]
Posted inMaine
Wilton’s Saviello says state should take over General Assistance
AUGUSTA — A Wilton Republican said Wednesday if the state wants its General Assistance program run with fairness and consistency, it should take over administration of the program, which currently is run by town and city officials. “I am tired of the argument about one town not doing this the right way,” state Sen. Tom […]
Posted inMaine
Maine immigrants speak out against welfare reform bills
AUGUSTA — Lawmakers on the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee listened to more than four hours of testimony Wednesday on a half dozen bills sponsored by state Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, aimed at making major changes to the state’s welfare and General Assistance programs. Among other things, Brakey’s bills would make those who have […]
Posted inMaine
Maine DHHS questions Portland’s spending on General Assistance
LEWISTON — A proposal by Republican Gov. Paul LePage to revamp the way the state reimburses cities and towns for General Assistance payments takes clear aim at Maine’s biggest city. Under the proposed change, Portland would lose at least $4.4 million in reimbursements, although Portland officials estimate the figure could be as high as $6 […]