A safe and strong transportation network is essential to Maine’s economy. Each year, of the $31 billion worth of goods exported from Maine, 81 percent will be transported by trucks on the state’s highways. Despite the importance of our state’s highways to Maine businesses and economic growth, 33 percent of Maine’s major roads are in […]
Maine Legislature
Posted inOur View
Two events show government here isn’t doing its job
Behind the posturing of elected politicians, there is an actual state government to be run, a government we expect to act efficiently, effectively and professionally. But judging by two recent revelations, some parts of state government are not being run that way at all. It has been reported that federal inspectors found troubling instances of […]
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Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Lawmakers find little to cheer about in report that Maine’s sales tax burden is nation’s third lowest
AUGUSTA — A new study by a national think tank says Maine’s sales tax is the third-lowest in the country. But legislators — even those known to be proponents of lower taxes — said that’s not necessarily good news. The Tax Foundation, which describes itself as a nonpartisan research organization that has monitored fiscal policy […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Maine lawmakers OK $149.5M education, roads bonds
AUGUSTA — A $149.5 million state borrowing plan for roads and education facilities is one step closer to the November ballot following lawmakers’ approval of the bond package during a special legislative session on Thursday. The five-bill bond package proposal easily reached the two-thirds majority in both chambers necessary for approval. The bills now head […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Maine House passes 4 of 5 bonds
AUGUSTA — The Maine House of Representatives has approved part of the $149.5 million bond package proposal making its way through the Legislature. The House passed four of the five bills that make up the state borrowing package for roads, bridges and education facilities. The Maine Senate also has approved LD 782. The four approved […]
Posted inLocal & State
Lawmakers pass bill that addresses overcrowding at Riverview
AUGUSTA — The Maine Legislature Thursday took the first tentative steps towards solving overcrowding and understaffing problems at the state’s Riverview Psychiatric Center. Meanwhile, the federal government’s Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services approved a corrective action plan for the facility after it found patient and staff safety issues and treatment shortfalls during an inspection in […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Analysis: Democrats claim momentum while Republicans cite outside money
BATH, Maine — Democrats said Eloise Vitelli’s victory in Tuesday’s Senate District 19 special election is proof that voters are swinging to the left, though Republicans said it was another example of the power of Democratic money in local elections. Whether Vitelli’s victory is a preview of Democratic victories in the 2014 general elections remains to be […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Vitelli takes oath to join Maine Senate for special session
AUGUSTA — The Democratic winner of the special election in Maine Senate District 19 is joining the Legislature for a special session. Republican Gov. Paul LePage swore in Democratic Sen. Eloise Vitelli of Arrowsic on Thursday morning. Vitelli won the election Tuesday to fill a seat left vacant by the resignation of Democratic Sen. Seth […]
Posted inLocal & State
Assault complaints up at Maine psych hospital
AUGUSTA — In the past year, Capitol Police have been called to the state’s Riverview Psychiatric Center 242 times — 83 times for assault complaints, Chief Russell Gauvin said. He said Wednesday that police calls to Riverview increased from the prior year, when his officers responded to 186 calls at the facility, including 25 assault […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Democrat Vitelli bests Republican to claim Bath-area Senate 19 seat
BATH — Democrat Eloise Vitelli of Arrowsic claimed the Senate District 19 seat on Tuesday, garnering 4,621 votes to Republican Paula Benoit’s 4,339, with just 3 percent of ballots separating the candidates. Green Independent candidate Daniel Stromgren of Topsham received 357 votes — 4 percent of the total votes cast. The win maintains a 19-15-1 […]