AUGUSTA — The state expects tax revenue to increase in the next two fiscal years. The Maine Revenue Forecasting Committee forecasted Thursday that the general fund will increase about $12.86 million in fiscal year 2014 and $7.77 million in fiscal year 2015. “This is a sign that the economy is improving, but there is much […]
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LePage threatens to sue Legislature over state budget
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage has threatened to sue the state’s budget-writing Appropriations Committee if they do not balance the state budget in the next session. Speaking to a group of Kiwanis Club members in Dexter on Nov. 15, the governor lamented “gimmicks” used to balance the budget approved by the Legislature in July. LePage […]
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Obama administration optimistic that ACA will cover more Mainers
AUGUSTA — The number of Maine residents enrolled in the new health care marketplace is expected to grow substantially over the next couple of months, the top U.S. Department of Health and Human Services official for New England told Maine lawmakers and industry experts Monday. Christine Hager said that the first part of the open enrollment, […]
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LePage’s opponents get worked up over ’47 percent’ remark
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage on Tuesday came under fire from political opponents after a liberal activist and blogger published an audio clip in which the governor told a friendly crowd that “47 percent of able-bodied people in Maine don’t work.” The number isn’t backed up by any official labor statistics. LePage’s communications staff didn’t […]
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LePage lifts Maine’s civil emergency
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage announced Friday afternoon that the statewide civil emergency he called in response to the federal government shutdown is over. LePage declared a civil emergency by proclamation on Oct. 9, eight days after the federal government shutdown began Oct. 1. He said at the time that it was a precautionary measure […]
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LePage spokesman explains $47 million ‘surplus’ in governor’s speech
AUGUSTA — A statement made by Gov. Paul LePage about a $47 million “surplus” had Democrats and others in Augusta scratching their heads Wednesday morning. In a talk given to a conservative women’s group on Monday, LePage said Maine’s economy was looking good: “The economy as a whole is actually doing pretty well. I don’t […]
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LePage warns that more state worker layoffs could be coming
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage told legislative leaders Tuesday morning that more layoffs of federally funded state workers could be coming this week unless the federal government shutdown ends soon. Senate Minority Leader Mike Thibodeau, R-Winterport, and House Minority Leader Kenneth Fredette, R-Newport, told the Bangor Daily News after a Tuesday morning meeting he and […]
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LePage names Rier as acting education department chief
AUGUSTA — Maine Gov. Paul LePage has elevated the deputy of the Department of Education to acting commissioner. Jim Rier of Topsham has worked in the education department for a decade, starting as director of finance and operations. He’s served as deputy commissioner since 2011 under Stephen Bowen, who resigned last month to work at […]
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LePage sends $10,000 to Maine murder victims memorial
AUGUSTA — Maine Gov. Paul LePage is directing $10,000 from a state contingency fund to help complete a memorial for murder victims. The Republican governor announced the donation during a ceremony at the State House on Wednesday. LePage is also declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The groundbreaking for the Maine Murder Victims’ Memorial […]
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LePage Administration proposes almost $34 million in budget cuts
AUGUSTA — Maine schools and municipalities, as well as a range of other programs across state government including a childhood immunization program, will bear the brunt of more than $33 million in new cuts recommended on Monday by the LePage administration. Three months of work to propose the cuts to the state budget this year […]