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Archive of Maine on Monday May 05, 2008
Fairness of death-penalty panels questioned
Death-penalty supporters are raising questions about the fairness of state commissions charged with studying how capital punishment is carried out in Maryland and Tennessee, claiming the panels will issue reports that ignore their views. Read More
At convention, largest turnout in party history
Maine Republican Party Chairman Mark Ellis wore a grin that could be seen from across the Augusta Civic Center when he stepped to the podium to address the state party convention over the weekend. The more than 2,500 delegates and alternates on the floor represented the largest turnout in party history. Read More
Maine AG: Price gouging not an issue
Gasoline and diesel prices in Maine have soared, but Attorney General Steven Rowe says it's not because of price gouging by retailers or wholesalers in Maine. Read More
Use of Maine?s Clean Election Fund leveling off
The popularity of taxpayer-funded legislative races seems to have peaked after years of dramatic growth, according to figures compiled by the state Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices, which administers the program. Read More
Coalition begins challenge to new taxes on soda, beer, wine
Several small-business owners have formally begun a campaign to repeal new taxes on soda, beer and wine. Read More
Consumers' investments help farmers produce a return benefiting both
Billi Barker, who has a 25-acre market farm in St. Albans, faces her greatest need for money in the spring. Read More
AUGUSTA: Budget issues to be aired
Residents -- and anyone else with thoughts on the proposed $51.3 million city and school budget -- have a chance to voice their concerns tonight. Read More
Gas prices of from last week's record highs
PORTLAND, Maine -- Gas prices remain high with the start of a new work week, but they're lower than the record highs recorded last week. Read More
Solutions elusive: Maine colleges try security, bans, education and on-campus pubs
Police and security officers patrol dorms. College keg parties have to be registered. Incoming freshmen take alcohol education courses as a condition of enrollment. Read More
Even in spring, heating oil prices a pain
With the arrival of spring, thermostats are being turned down but prices keep going up for New Hampshire residents who use oil to heat their homes. Read More
Rep. Crockett to seek re-election to HD 57
State Rep. Patsy Garside Crockett, D-Augusta, has announced she is seeking re-election as the representative of House District 57, which includes the northwest sections of Augusta. Read More
CHINA Utility to move home to make way for line
CHINA -- Debbie Tracy never suspected her property on Pleasant View Ridge Road would be part of a more than billion dollar project. Read More
WORTH NOTING: Voters' guide promotes phone sex
An Oregon voters’ guide lists a very wrong number. California’s governor insults rural legislators. And Pennsylvania considers selling wine in vending machines. In case you missed those stories this week, “Worth Noting” fills you in. Read More
Humanitarian to give UMF's keynote address
FARMINGTON, Maine- Sally Goodrich, whose son was killed in the World Trade Center bombing and has since dedicated herself to bringing educational opportunities to the children of Afghanistan, will be the keynote speaker at the University of Maine at Farmington's 155th Commencement ceremony. Read More
Castine: Baldacci praises state service, County at MMA ceremony
Gov. John Baldacci took time in his commencement speech at Maine Maritime Academy on Saturday to praise the people of Aroostook County for their courage and coming together during the recent flooding. Read More
Oh say, is that banner made in the U.S.A.?
Lawmakers in 10 states have taken steps to require that American flags bought with state funds be manufactured in this country. While not all the legislation has passed, one state’s new law even bans the sale of foreign-made American flags in that state. Read More
Parents turn to states for autism help
(UPDATED 4 p.m. EDT, Thursday May 1) One of the toughest problems facing autism patients, their families and policymakers is paying for treatment. Families are increasingly relying on states to help them cope with the financial, medical and educational needs. Read More
Legislators prod Congress on Medicaid, Real ID
As some states tumble into what they fear is a recession, state lawmakers from across the country are pushing Congress for relief from impending federal rules that would force states to pick up more Medicaid costs and spend billions to make drivers’ licenses more secure. Read More
With justices' OK, voter ID moves ahead
A decision Monday (April 28) by the U.S. Supreme Court to let Indiana demand photo identification from voters paves the way for other states to do the same during November’s presidential election, experts say. Read More
More states offer choice in long-term care
More states are poised to offer a successful alternative to traditional Medicaid plans that allows elders and the disabled to avoid moving to a nursing facility by hiring friends, neighbors or family members to look after them in their own homes. Read More
Credit crunch hits states' college loans
(Updated 11:55 a.m. EDT, April 23, 2008)
The credit crisis has led some state lending agencies to suspend their federal and private student loan programs, forcing thousands of students to search elsewhere for money to pay for college. Read More
'Don't forget us,' PA candidates tell voters
As Pennsylvanians prepare to go to the polls tomorrow to cast ballots in the April 22 presidential primary, experts wonder how the surge in registered voters will affect little-noticed state legislative races, particularly those in the House, where Democrats cling to a one-seat majority. Read More
Partisan mix in R.I., Conn. poses challenges
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Will Democrats grow legislative edge in '08?
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Gay marriage decisions ripe in Calif., Conn.
More than four years after its historic court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage, Massachusetts stands alone in blessing gay marriages — more than 10,000 to date — and its example has spurred no imitators but lots of backlash. All eyes now are on the highest courts in California and Connecticut. Read More
'Purple' states turn a little more 'blue'
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Governors pitch ambitious programs
Billion-dollar deficits in California, New York and Arizona haven’t stopped governors there and elsewhere from proposing big-ticket items for 2008. Stateline.org looks at proposals from governors’ 2008 "state of the state" speeches and provides an exclusive summary of all the addresses so far.
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Summary of the State of the State Address
In his Jan. 9 address, Gov. John Baldacci (D) asked the Democratic-controlled Legislature to stretch Maine’s flagging revenues without raising taxes or dipping into financial reserves, and without cutting education funding or programs for the needy. Read More
Summary of the State of the Commonwealth Address
Gov. Deval Patrick (D) used his Jan. 24 address to push the Democratic-controlled Legislature to legalize casinos, the first-term governor’s No. 1 revenue-generating initiative. He also renewed his 2007 request for $1 billion to fund life sciences — including controversial embryonic stem-cell research — a program he said would create 250,000 new jobs. Read More
Commentary: Govs beat White House hopefuls as agents of change
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Iraq casts shadow on 2008 state races
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Democratic mid-term gains affecting policy
So complete was the Democratic rout in the 2006 midterm elections that the party even gained legislative influence in Alaska, Idaho, North and South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming – states long dominated by the Republicans. And those gains, though small, are translating into policy achievements. Read More
WORTH NOTING: Illinois gov runs up travel tab
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s commuting costs start to add up. South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds settles a dispute with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over a cranky game warden. Read More
Embryonic stem cell research divides states
President Bush’s second veto of a bill to allow federal funding of stem cell research puts the ethical issue squarely in states’ hands. So far, seven states have moved to fund the research, six have banned it, three have affirmed its legality but do not fund it and a handful of others continue to debate the issue. Read More
States outpace feds on minimum wage
When the new federal minimum wage takes effect July 24, 30 states will require employers to pay hourly workers more than federal law requires. Read More |
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