Maine — like most other states — bonds a great many projects not funded through the state’s regular budget process. We borrow, through bonds, to pay for upgrades to our bridges and roads, for building projects at our colleges and universities, for upgrades to water and sewer systems, and for other large public capital improvement […]
politics
Posted inFranklin, Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, Oxford Hills, River Valley
The state of welfare in Maine
Her potential take-away: just under $19,900 worth of help for the year. If she lived in any one of 39 other states or the District of Columbia, a new national report shows, that single mother would receive more help — in some states, tens of thousands of dollars more. The Cato Institute, a Washington, […]
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Posted insj-web
Former N.H. House Speaker says Maine fell behind because of taxes
SOUTH PORTLAND — Former New Hampshire House Speaker William O’Brien told a South Portland audience Friday afternoon Maine lost its economic edge over his state after World War II, when it added cumbersome taxes and watched as the Granite State passed it by. O’Brien’s appearance as the keynote speaker for the conservative Maine Heritage Policy […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Bill aims to help human trafficking victims clear prostitution convictions
AUGUSTA — A bill proposed by a Scarborough lawmaker would allow Maine’s courts to vacate prostitution convictions from the records of those who are victims of human trafficking. The move is needed because victims of human trafficking often face difficulty moving on from the situation that saw them exploited, and can be haunted by a […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage, former N.H. house speaker expected to speak at MHPC luncheon
SOUTH PORTLAND — Republican Gov. Paul LePage and the former New Hampshire GOP speaker of the House are headlining a luncheon for a Maine conservative advocacy group. LePage and William O’Brien are expected to speak at the Maine Heritage Policy Center’s Freedom and Opportunity Luncheon on Friday in South Portland. O’Brien led New Hampshire’s House […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Five vie for two school board seats; challengers motivated by budget
Third of four stories on Auburn School Committee races in the Nov. 5 election. Next: Three candidates run unopposed, incumbents Bonnie Hayes (Ward 2) and Tracey Levesque (Ward 4), and former City Councilor Michael Farrell (Ward 1). AUBURN — Five candidates are seeking two at-large seats on the School Committee, including two incumbents who want […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Are Maine law changes for students transferring to districts in which they don’t live a step toward school choice?
AUGUSTA — Recent law changes for families who want to transfer students from one school district to another, including one in which the student doesn’t live, went into effect earlier this month amid what the Department of Education has called a steady increase in transfer appeals that demonstrate the importance of giving students a choice about […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, sj-web
LePage schedules summits to discuss drug crimes in Maine
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage and the state’s public safety commissioner will meet Friday with law enforcement officials from around the state to talk about Maine’s growing drug abuse problem. The events, which the administration has dubbed “Drug Crime and Awareness Summits,” will take place in Westbrook and Auburn. The Auburn summit will take place […]
Posted inLocal Sports, Maine, sj-web
LePage backs charity basketball tournament
LePage supporting Maine charity basketball tourney AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage invites Maine residents to participate in a basketball tournament next month that raises money for children impacted by domestic violence. The Republican governor is joining the Maine Athletic Club and Maine Swish basketball team on Thursday at the Augusta YMCA to encourage people to […]
Posted inMaine
Bellows makes stop in Lewiston to start U.S. Senate campaign
LEWISTON — Androscoggin County’s Democratic faithful flocked to Forage Market on Lisbon Street on Wednesday cheering on Shenna Bellows, who made a 40-minute stump stop in the city announcing her campaign for the U.S. Senate. Bellows, of Manchester and the former executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine, is hoping to unseat […]