AUGUSTA — A proposal to create an Office of New Mainers aims to attract and educate immigrants who might make Maine home. Coping with the state’s shrinking workforce and aging population, supporters said, will take a concerted effort to convince immigrants that Maine offers them a good chance for success. “We want people with the […]
Jared Golden
Posted inMaine
State Democrats eye bond to provide $250 million for student debt relief
AUGUSTA — Hoping to lend a hand to cash-strapped young adults, Democrats are pushing for a student loan forgiveness program that would help lure recent college graduates to Maine. Sen. Nate Libby, D-Lewiston, said the “pretty bold initiative” would offer to pay off half a graduate’s student loan debt and refinance the rest at low […]
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Jared Golden seeks to make voter registration ‘automatic’
AUGUSTA — Hoping to boost voter registration, a Lewiston Democrat wants to add anyone doing business with the Department of Motor Vehicles to the voter rolls automatically. Rep. Jared Golden, the Democratic whip, told colleagues that Maine has one of the highest voter participation rates in the country but could get more people to the […]
Posted inMaine
Jared Golden skeptical of VA mental health improvements
AUGUSTA — Shortly after a legislative hearing focused on the failings of mental health care for Maine veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs’ inspector general issued a report hailing improvements by the VA’s Maine Healthcare System. All four members of the state’s congressional delegation said in a joint statement they were “pleased to see improvement” […]
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Mental health care for Maine veterans falling short
AUGUSTA — Maine veterans plagued with bad dreams and tough memories are falling through the cracks in a mental health care system that too often fails them, officials said Wednesday. Sometimes suicidal veterans wind up sitting for days in hospital emergency rooms as they wait to get help from the federal Veterans Administration that routinely […]
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Wage theft bill draws criticism from business community
A proposal to increase the fines for Maine employers who cheat workers out of their pay drew sharp criticism from the businesses community this week. Rep. Jared Golden, the Lewiston Democrat pushing the measure, said that shortchanging workers of the pay they earn robs them of both “the respect they deserve” and the cash that […]
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Lewiston Democrats plan April 25 forum on state budget
Lewiston’s state lawmakers plan a town hall forum this month to talk about the proposed Democratic budget. The five legislators said they will talk about what they call the “Opportunity Agenda” where they will provide information and answer questions to anyone who shows up. The session is slated for 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, April […]
Posted inLetters
Problem is a rigged system
This is in response to Mayor Robert Macdonald’s letter “Lewiston a struggling city” (March 31). Federal law prevents Lewiston from closing its doors to those who are legally present. Given that, let’s focus on solutions instead of bemoaning reality. Giving asylum-seekers help quickly so that they can start working is just common sense. The mayor […]
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Maine House fails to override veto on bill to provide IDs to veterans
AUGUSTA — More than 40 state House Republicans who had backed a measure to provide identification cards for veterans reversed their stance Tuesday to sustain Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of a bill they had earlier supported. “This was a sad vote that shows how partisanship gets in the way of our work even after a […]
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Maine may tax, regulate fantasy sports leagues
AUGUSTA — As the Major League Baseball season gets underway, legislators are looking to regulate — and tax — the fantasy sports leagues that have sprung up around every significant sport. Under a new proposal unveiled Monday, anyone operating a fantasy league would have to register annually with the Department of Public Safety and pay […]