AUGUSTA — Friends of Maine’s Mountains, a group that opposes the proliferation of grid-scale wind power, announced Thursday that it’s supporting Gov. Paul LePage’s push against a citizen initiative that would expand the state’s renewable energy portfolio. Maine currently mandates that utility companies derive a certain percentage of electricity from renewable sources. However, a coalition called […]
Maine Legislature
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Local & State, The Franklin Journal
Lawmaker unveils bill backing natural gas expansion; oil dealers urge caution
AUGUSTA — The LePage administration is backing a bill that would allow natural gas providers access to state-backed bonds for pipeline expansions. The proposal, LD 1644, sponsored by Sen. Roger Katz, R-Augusta, is designed to facilitate natural gas expansion to a state that has been historically dependent on oil to heat homes and businesses. While […]
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Posted inLocal & State
Lawmaker questions whether Poliquin’s business dealings violate Maine Constitution
AUGUSTA — The ongoing political tiff between State Treasurer Bruce Poliquin and Democrats has elevated to a fistfight. Rep. Mark Dion, D-Portland, is questioning whether Poliquin’s involvement with the Popham Beach Club violates a provision in the Maine Constitution designed to limit the state treasurer’s business dealings while he or she is responsible for the state’s […]
Posted inLocal & State
Lawmakers give first approval to several of LePage’s DHHS cuts
AUGUSTA — The Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee has given preliminary approval to a series of cuts to childhood development, smoking cessation and other health programs. The funding cuts are part of Gov. Paul LePage’s proposal to remove $220 million from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to meet a projected budget […]
Posted inBusiness
Lawmakers seek ways to pluck tax evaders from Maine’s tree growth program
AUGUSTA — Lawmakers are considering another review of the states’s 40-year-old program that gives landowners property-tax discounts in exchange for developing sustainable timber harvesting plans. Maine’s Tree Growth Tax Law has been popular since it was adopted in 1972, comprising more than 11.2 million acres and functioning as a conservation tool while bolstering the state’s […]
Posted inLocal & State
MTA says replacing commuter discount system will cause stir
AUGUSTA — The Maine Turnpike Authority on Tuesday moved one step closer to eliminating its 30-year-old commuter discount system. The Legislature’s Transportation Committee voted unanimously to allow the quasi-public agency to replace the system with E-ZPass, the electronic toll-taking system that MTA officials believe will help create more equity among toll-payers. MTA Executive Director Peter Mills […]
Posted inLetters
B. Bickford: Sharing the sacrifice
I am writing in response to the letter from Marilyn Burgess of Leeds (Jan. 13). First, I must thank Ms. Burgess for taking the time to share her concerns in a public forum. She is right — it is vitally important that when government makes cuts to services, those in government share in the sacrifice. […]
Posted inLocal & State
Political Pulse: LURC bill plagued by committee sparring
Nuggets from the notebook while wondering if the Legislature’s Agriculture Committee can be put back together again . . . Each session, every legislative committee develops a working dynamic. How a committee handles the controversial bills that come before it can depend on the personalities of lawmakers on the committee and the leadership of the […]
Posted inLocal & State
LePage: Fix DHHS budget gap, then we’ll talk borrowing for infrastructure
AUGUSTA — After swearing off bonds for the first time in two decades last year, Maine lawmakers are hoping the state can resume borrowing for road, bridge and research and development projects. However, lawmakers will have to plug the projected $220 million shortfall at the Department of Health and Human Services before Gov. Paul LePage […]
Posted inLocal & State
Increased MaineCare enrollment drives small portion of DHHS shortfall
AUGUSTA — The projected — and hotly disputed — $220 million shortfall at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services has produced confusing rhetoric and statistics from Gov. Paul LePage and state officials. At the heart of the debate is an ideological divide between Republicans and Democrats over the scope of the state’s Medicaid program. […]