Thursday, March 6, 2008

The Augustan: Thursday, March 6, 2008

Governor Baldacci unveiled his latest budget cut proposals.

Executive Director of the Maine State Employees Association vowed to fight some of the proposed job cuts in Governor Baldacci's latest budget cut proposals.

Maine's court system failed to avoid possible cuts to its budget.

Utilities and Energy Committee and the Transportation Committee are considering forcing Pan Am Railways to sell the rail lines it owns in the state.

PPH: Legislature should pass LD 1957, a bill that would allow large numbers of alewife fish into the St. Croix River.

John Connors: Proposed cuts to domestic abuse prevention programs are unwise.

Some Maine denture-makers threatened to double the prices they charge for dentures if the the Legislature doesn't free them from the oversight of the Maine Board of Dental Examiners.

Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported hospital admissions for flulike illnesses doubled last week over the week before.

Land Use Regulation Commission hopes to make a decision regarding Plum Creek Timber Co.'s controversial Moosehead Lake region proposal by summer's end.

BDN: The state spends more than $200 million a year in business incentives and tax credits without knowing whether this investment is paying off.

Shawn Lewin: Proposed cuts to programs for the state's elderly have monetary and moral costs.

Roof of a leased Maine Department of Health and Human Services building in Augusta collapsed under the weight of snow.

Roger W. Bowen: State could be environmentally-friendly and save money if it didn't mow the medians of I-95.

Jim Brunelle: Legislature should promptly and unconditionally embrace LD 2219, a bill that would require lawmakers and executive branch officials to disclose information on real estate interests, investment interests, and positions held.

Lawmakers are gearing up for a public hearing on LD 2247, a bill that would repeal savings offest payments to Dirigo and would increase the tax on cigarettes from $2.00 to $2.50.

LD 2034, a bill that would have prohibited minors from buying energy drinks, is dead.

LD 1961, a bill that would repeal the ban on hard snuff, was passed by the Senate and awaits Governor Baldacci's signature.

- John C.L. Morgan

1 comment:

Thomas Maher said...

Brenda Harvey,
Is lying. I know no better way to put it. She has cut funds for the neediest foster children and the handicapped. An 80% cut for foster children in four years. The so called administrative positions are the workers that are on the street working in halfway houses and with ex criminals and the outsourced mentally ill. Calling these workers administrative is lying B.S.
The woman has no background in human services and is only a business suit trying to keep a good paying job no matter who gets hurt.