AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine lawmakers are gearing up to begin negotiations on several bond proposals. The Appropriations Committee on Tuesday will start working on bonds carried over from last session, among other issues. Democratic Rep. Peggy Rotundo of Lewiston, chair of the committee, said lawmakers will hear from officials from Maine’s financial review office and […]
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Posted inMaine
Switch to third-party vendor leaves MaineCare patients without rides
LEWISTON — A change in the way MaineCare, the state’s Medicaid program, provides transportation for clients without vehicles has left many stranded or missing appointments in recent weeks. On Monday, Tracy Bennett of Bethel said she’s been stood up for a ride at least 10 times in the last week. Bennett, who is being treated […]
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Maine gets 2-year waiver on No Child Left Behind
AUGUSTA — The U.S. Department of Education announced Monday that Maine’s application for a waiver under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act has been granted, allowing the state to implement another school accountability measure separate from the A-through-F grading system unveiled earlier this year. The two-year waiver means that Maine is exempt from the strict […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
State police say they can’t process concealed weapons permits in time required
AUGUSTA — Thanks to inadequate staffing, crushing demand and strict legal requirements, state police say something needs to change in how Maine issues permits to carry concealed weapons. State law dictates that new permits must be issued or denied within 60 days of the application date, and renewals must be decided within 30 days. But […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Cutler Democrats shift donations to Michaud’s campaign for governor
PORTLAND — Buried in early campaign filings, a subtle shift has begun in the race for Maine’s next governor. Democratic donors who rallied behind independent candidate Eliot Cutler in the last election have begun to send their checks instead to Democrat Mike Michaud, a five-term U.S. congressman. The small group of defectors includes Cutler’s former […]
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Pentagon plan would grant benefits to same-sex spouses but deny them to unmarried gay couples
WASHINGTON (AP) — Same-sex spouses of military members could get health care, housing and other benefits by the end of August under a proposal being considered by the Pentagon. But earlier plans to provide benefits to gay partners who are not married may be reversed. A draft Defense Department memo obtained Wednesday by The Associated […]
Posted inMaine
Changes to Maine’s property tax relief programs catch many off guard
LEWISTON — Changes to a state rent and property tax relief program aimed at helping low- and middle-income individuals and families are catching many who benefited from the program off guard. Many are no longer eligible for the programs and others are learning that their rebates have been steeply cut. About 75,000 Maine households will […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Sen. Susan Collins outlines ideas to reduce government waste
PORTLAND — U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, outlined steps she believes could help the federal government make progress toward resolving its budget crisis during a Thursday morning address before the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce. Among those steps, according to a transcript of her prepared remarks provided to the BDN by the senator’s office, are […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. Paul LePage wants Legislature to fast track $100 million transportation bond
AUGUSTA — In a letter sent to the Democratic legislative leadership Wednesday, Republican Gov. Paul LePage said time is running out to reconvene the Legislature and approve sending his proposed $100 million transportation bond to voters this November. Both parties say they support the transportation bond, but there is disagreement over how quickly it needs […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Sen. Angus King talks about how to get things done in D.C.
LEWISTON — U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, sat down for a conversation with the editors and owners of the Sun Journal Thursday. King spoke on a range of topics from gridlock in Washington to the successful passage of federal legislation to fixing the interest rates on student loans to how he works as a member […]