AUGUSTA — State Rep. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, says she wants the Legislature to consider the idea of creating a single board to guide the state’s higher education systems. On Monday, the University of Maine System Chancellor James Page announced plans to consolidate the administrative functions for the system’s seven campuses, but Rotundo and her supporters […]
Rotundo
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Consistent revenue, programs top Lewiston’s wish list for state legislators
LEWISTON — City officials may not be expecting anything special under the tree on Christmas, but they did unleash a big list of wishes for state legislators for the coming year. City Administrator Ed Barrett, city councilors and Lewiston school officials asked for everything from more municipal revenue to more authority to deal with truant […]
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Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Maine’s lack of population growth source of economic concern
AUGUSTA — State lawmakers heard again Monday that Maine’s dwindling and aging population will continue to be one of the biggest factors in the state’s long-struggling economy. Key policymakers, including Gov. Paul LePage, are focused on a series of issues they believe would make the state a more welcoming place for job creators, including reducing […]
Posted insj-web
Maine Democrats fill legislative leadership posts
AUGUSTA — Despite seeing their majority shrink by 10 seats after last week’s election, Maine House Democrats on Wednesday re-elected the two returning members of the past session’s leadership team to key posts for the next two years. Rep. Mark Eves of North Berwick won two more years as House speaker, and former assistant majority […]
Posted inLocal & State
Legislature’s budget committee disappointed with answers on Riverview Psychiatric Center
AUGUSTA — Some lawmakers on the budget-writing Appropriations Committee on Tuesday were not satisfied with answers from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to a host of questions about Riverview Psychiatric Center. The state’s 92-bed center has been the focus of intense scrutiny since it lost $20 million in federal funding — about […]
Posted inLocal & State
Booze battle
Competitive pricing, liquor contracts target revenue lost to New Hampshire. But, is it enough? LEWISTON — A state effort to recapture revenue Maine loses in alcohol sales to New Hampshire by lowering prices is underway, but some state officials and others worry the effort isn’t being implemented as aggressively as first intended. And that Maine […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Local & State
Maine People’s Alliance recognizes Rotundo with ‘Rising Tide’ award
PORTLAND — State Rep. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, was recognized recently by the left-leaning Maine People’s Alliance, a statewide group that advocates for seniors, the disabled, the poor and immigrants. Rotundo was honored with the organization’s Rising Tide Award during the alliance’s annual dinner in August. “Maine People’s Alliance is an important and consistent voice for […]
Posted inLocal & State
LePage allows 2014 supplemental budget to pass into law without signature
AUGUSTA — The political battle over how to best fill about a $40 million shortfall in the state’s 2014 fiscal budget came to an unceremonious end early Thursday when Republican Gov. Paul LePage allowed a bill filling the gap to pass into law without his signature. LePage had opposed many of the proposed fixes to […]
Posted insj-web
Maine budget-writing panel approves $42M bill
AUGUSTA (AP) — The Maine Legislature’s budget-writing committee on Friday endorsed a $42 million bill that replenishes the rainy day fund while also restoring money for programs Gov. Paul LePage wanted to cut. Democratic Rep. Peggy Rotundo, co-chair of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, said the 8-5 party line vote Friday represents a compromise […]
Posted inLocal & State
LePage and Legislature exchange jabs over Maine supplemental budget
Just before lawmakers on the budget-writing Appropriations Committee started public hearings on everything from cutting spending to raising taxes, LePage announced he would soon unveil a plan to restore $21 million to the state’s budget stabilization fund. Commonly known as the “rainy day fund,” LePage has said lawmakers inappropriately raided it when they voted to […]