AUGUSTA — Maine continues to get a great return on its hunter safety education, which is taught to more than 9,000 people annually. For the second consecutive year, there were no hunting-related fatalities in 2010. Additionally, despite having more than 200,000 licensed hunters in Maine, there were only seven incidents. “The fact that we haven’t […]
Maine
Posted inOur View
Fireworks for our peace, health, safety
Among the more seriously misguided bills coming before the Maine Legislature this session is another attempt to legalize the sale, possession and use of fireworks. At least no one can say the bill’s author doesn’t have a sense of humor. The first sentence advises that it must be passed as an “emergency” so sellers can […]
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Our View: LePage plan less dramatic than expected
Current state employees are probably breathing a sigh of relief following Gov. Paul LePage’s promise Thursday not to conduct across-the-board cuts in state workers or payroll. The governor, in fact, was complimentary of the state work force, although he announced that a hiring freeze adopted during his predecessor’s term will continue. Most current state employees […]
Posted inOur View
Energy group wasted money, got little done
Let’s imagine you are starting a business, ABC Consulting. You need 13 employees, including a manager. So you advertise, compare resumes, interview and check references before hiring. Then, on the first day of work you are having lunch with your new employees when one mentions he used to be a Democratic House member from Bangor. […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Gov. LePage to present 2-year budget
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage on Thursday will present to the Legislature a state spending blueprint for the next two-year budget cycle, and it is expected to reflect the austerity of the times and the governor’s promises not to raise taxes. The Republican governor will present his budget for the period starting July 1 to […]
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Anti-smoking bills will draw little support
Four ideas have been floated in the state Legislature to reduce smoking rates in Maine, most of them well-intentioned but unlikely to pass. The most controversial bill was crafted by Sen. Thomas Saviello, R-Franklin County, that would deny benefits to MaineCare recipients who smoke. Saviello proposed the bill at the behest of an unnamed constituent […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Budget update due for vote
AUGUSTA — Legislative votes on a Maine supplemental budget for the current fiscal year are expected this week, now that the budget has received unanimous committee support. The Appropriations Committee late Friday approved the spending update for the year ending June 30. The budget is expected to receive quick House and Senate support. It could […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Finalist for top job visits UMaine campus
ORONO — Another finalist for the top job at the University of Maine is visiting campus. Daniel Julius, vice president of academic affairs at the University of Alaska System of Higher Education, is visiting the Orono campus on Tuesday and Wednesday to meet with students, faculty and staff. He is third of four finalists to […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Gasoline prices on the rise
PORTLAND (AP) — A price-watching website says average retail gasoline prices in Maine have risen 0.4 cent per gallon in the past week to an average of $3.19 per gallon. MaineGasPrices.com says Sunday’s price compares with the national average, which has increased 2.9 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.11. Including the change […]
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France’s Boeuf wins 12 kilometer pursuit at World Cup Biathlon
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine (AP) — Alexis Boeuf of France won the men’s 12.5-kilometer pursuit at the biathlon World Cup on Sunday, and Norway’s Tora Berger won the women’s 10K pursuit. Boeuf moved up from a ninth-place start to finish in 36 minutes, 2.4 seconds after two misses to earn his first World Cup victory. Ivan […]