AUGUSTA — A task force of lawmakers, business interests, economists and tax experts continued Monday its work toward finding $40 million in savings by December, as required by the biennial budget the Democrat-led Legislature approved over the protests of Republican Gov. Paul LePage. If the Tax Expenditure Review Task Force cannot identify those savings, the […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine wrestles with federal shutdown
With Congress unable to reach a spending deal before its midnight deadline, many U.S. government operations screeched to a halt Tuesday, leaving Mainers who rely on federal aid for housing, food and heating oil in a state of uncertainty. The Democrat-led U.S. Senate refused to pass a federal budget or continuing resolution that would alter […]
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Posted inNation / World, sj-web
ACA: Health exchange opens with some delays in Maine
Maine’s new online health insurance marketplace launched Tuesday and groups assisting the state’s uninsured with the sign-up process urged patience as high interest led to delays for some consumers. The marketplace, or exchange, a key component of President Barack Obama’s signature health care law, will require nearly everyone in the country to have health insurance […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
No word on how long government shutdown will last
WASHINGTON — Congress plunged the nation into a partial government shutdown Tuesday as a long-running dispute over President Barack Obama’s health care law stalled a temporary funding bill, forcing about 800,000 federal workers off the job and suspending most non-essential federal programs and services. With the Republican-controlled House and Democratic-controlled Senate at a stalemate, it […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard workers furloughed this morning
KITTERY —Workers reported to work Tuesday morning at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and received furlough letters. The head of the biggest union at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard says about 2,000 of the shipyard’s 4,700 workers were furloughed Tuesday morning. The Navy told civilian workers to report to duty regardless of whether government was closed. Navy shipbuilder […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
What has changed now the federal government has shut down
WASHINGTON — Campers in national parks are to pull up stakes and leave, some veterans waiting to have disability benefits approved will have to cool their heels even longer, many routine food inspections will be suspended and panda-cams will go dark at the shuttered National Zoo. Those are among the immediate effects when parts of […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Federal shutdown to have limited effect in Maine
In Maine, a federal government shutdown does not signal the end of mail delivery but could affect a range of things from fall tourism to flu readiness. The hardest hit likely would be the neediest Mainers, whose federal aid for housing, heating and food could be jeopardized by a long shutdown. A shutdown began as […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
New, temporary taxes take affect today
AUGUSTA — Visitors and residents alike will see a small uptick in what they pay tableside and on some items at the cash register, as temporary increases to the sales and lodging taxes take effect statewide Tuesday. The increase, which will be seen in the bills at shops, restaurants and hotels, is an effort to offset […]
Posted inMaine
Most of shutdown’s effects will be slow to reach Maine
LEWISTON — At the stroke of midnight Monday, the federal government partially shut down because Congress failed to agree on essential funding. By early Tuesday, the blame game was on. In a statement issued midday, Gov. Paul LePage called the shutdown the “result of failure of leadership in Washington, D.C.,” and assured Mainers the shutdown […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Tourists to bear most of the brunt of a government shutdown
WASHINGTON — A government shutdown would have far-reaching consequences for some, but minimal impact on others. Mail would be delivered. Social Security and Medicare benefits would continue to flow. But vacationers would be turned away from national parks and Smithsonian museums. Low-to-moderate income borrowers and first-time homebuyers seeking government-backed mortgages could face delays. A look […]