Maine News for Thursday, January 10, 2008

PRESS HERALD:
Rally sends message: Don't trim programs
Foes of Baldacci's budget plan, including advocates for the elderly and mentally ill, gather in Augusta.

Expert predicts recession for Maine
The economic forecasting panel's chair says the state would be hit moderately, losing up to 3,000 jobs.

State's caucuses not in the limelight
Maine's February contests could gain significance and attract attention if the races remain up in the air.

Baldacci backs budget cuts, is silent on tax reform
The governor reiterates his opposition to raising taxes or dipping into savings to erase a $95 million shortfall.

State considers raising fees for snowmobilers
State House: An increase would help the volunteer clubs, advocates say.

EDITORIAL: Internet can make elite classes free to the masses
Everyone will be able to benefit from higher education that is not so exclusive.

Comebacks show value of small-state primary
The premium placed on retail politics in the New Hampshire race makes the process better.

Community Voices: Benazir Bhutto's murder killed a hope along with a person

LTE: Police officers don't need guns to keep citizens safe


BANGOR DAILY NEWS:
Maine economy on 'thin ice' says 'optimistic' prof
PORTLAND - A leading Maine economist said Wednesday that a recession appears likely for the state and the country early this year.

Cuts to DHHS programs place many at risk
AUGUSTA - The list of recent cuts in Maine's medical, mental health and social services is a long one, but on Wednesday the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee heard them all.

Service to honor fallen soldier
OLD TOWN - The world got to know Maj. Andrew Olmsted, who died Jan. 3 in Diyala Province, Iraq, as the soldier who loved to blog. But his relatives here in Maine knew the 37-year-old as "Andy," a warm, intelligent man, a Red Sox fan and movie buff.

Baldacci makes commitment not to increase taxes
AUGUSTA - Gov. John Baldacci said Wednesday the state of the state is strong despite serious challenges and he is "determined to meet the future head on" by streamlining government, developing Maine's energy resources and revving up job-generating efforts.

'Independent' Mainers get ready to caucus
With preliminary contests in Iowa and New Hampshire ratcheting up the nationwide focus on this year's presidential campaign, Mainers are reviewing their choices and getting ready to participate in the party caucuses scheduled for next month.

EDITORIAL: Terrorism Platform
It took just six years for the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, to go from horrific national tragedy around which revived patriotism grew, to the punch line of a presidential candidate's joking jab at a rival.

EDITORIAL: Electronic Prescription
Ensuring health care expertise reaches rural areas improves medical treatment in these regions, but also keeps them economically viable.

Jim Cyr: Troops show bravery beyond description
There isn't much to say about Iraq, I'm afraid. Beyond all of the political talk; beyond all of the words of the retired generals and think tank "experts"; beyond all of the media commentary — beyond all of that — we have all seen something with our own eyes that has been truly remarkable.

LTEs: Taxing aviators; Questions about Iraq; Heating oil assistance

KENNEBEC JOURNAL:
Baldacci touts efficiency
AUGUSTA -- Maine's political leaders must back difficult spending cuts and find more efficient ways to deliver services, Gov. John Baldacci told lawmakers Wednesday night during a State of the State speech in which he opposed tax increases while promoting government consolidation and streamlining.

Protest in Hall of Flags is critical of governor's plan to cut budget
AUGUSTA -- Christine Holler came Wednesday to the Statehouse to let Gov. John Baldacci know exactly how she feels about his proposed budget cuts.

Editorials:

Game on! N.H. makes election a contest again
Politics is fun again. At least on the consumer level.

Columns:

LIZ SOARES : Living on budget was easy until this year
In 1996, my husband, Paul, and I decided to try to pay off our mortgage. We wanted freedom from monthly payments and to reduce the amount of interest we'd pay the bank. We'd have more money to save and invest.

BOB EMRICH : Weak legislature, not ethnic
divisions, root of Kenyan violence
Naomi Schalit's commentary "Religion-politics mix gives rise to fear" (1/07/2008) deserves a second read. Newspapers promoting this kind of irrational fear and poor logic should stir a bit of fear in their readers. The implied connection between Jewish people in Nazi Germany being targeted for death and presidential candidates talking about religion is unfortunate.

JIM BRUNELLE : And the winner is ...
New Hampshire primary
Talk about a comeback, the big winner in the New Hampshire presidential preference primary this year was not Hillary Clinton or John McCain but the New Hampshire primary itself.

KJ Blogs:
Mitchells hope for twofer


MORNING SENTINEL:
Baldacci touts efficiency, notes challenges in Address
AUGUSTA -- Maine's political leaders must back difficult spending cuts and find more efficient ways to deliver services, Gov. John Baldacci told lawmakers Wednesday night during a State of the State speech in which he opposed tax increases while promoting government consolidation and streamlining.

Protest in Hall of Flags is critical of governor's plan to cut budget
AUGUSTA -- Christine Holler came Wednesday to the Statehouse to let Gov. John Baldacci know exactly how she feels about his proposed budget cuts.

Toothpick mill sold
STRONG -- The former Forster Manufacturing toothpick mill passed to new owners who'll be making a different type of wood product.

Liz Soares: Living on budget was easy until this year
In 1996, my husband, Paul, and I decided to try to pay off our mortgage. We wanted freedom from monthly payments and to reduce the amount of interest we'd pay the bank. We'd have more money to save and invest.

Supreme court clears the way for apartments
AUGUSTA -- A 30-unit senior housing project has cleared a final court hurdle and could be under way as soon as this summer, representatives say.


Sun Journal:
'Serious problem in the city'
AUBURN - With a tank nearly full of heating oil and a stocked kitchen cupboard, Jenn Ward figured back in December that her family could make it through the next month.

Baldacci: State robust despite revenue woes
AUGUSTA - Gov. John Baldacci said Wednesday the state of the state is strong despite serious challenges but is "determined to meet the future head on" by streamlining government, developing its energy resources and revving up job-generating efforts.

Independent joins race for U.S. Senate
KENNEBUNKPORT (AP) - Republican Susan Collins and Democrat Tom Allen are no longer the only candidates for Senate.

LTE: Right-wing highway
Conservatives and liberals will never see eye to eye. The problem is one of pronouns:

WCSH6

	Baldacci: State Is Strong, But Faces Challenges
	AUGUSTA (AP) -- Governor John Baldacci says the state of the state is strong and determined to meet the future head on. But he says in an address to Mainers and the Legislature that the state also faces serious challenges. Full Story

	Republicans Pleased With Governor's No Tax Promise
	AUGUSTA (AP) -- Democratic Governor Baldacci's promise in his State of the State speech tonight not to raise taxes drew praise from a Republican leader. Full Story

	Fee Change Could Aid Snowmobile Clubs, Trails
	(NEWS CENTER) -- Volunteers keep Maine's 13,000 miles of snowmobile trails clear and well groomed. The Maine Snowmobile Association hopes a fee change will bring in more money and volunteers. Full Story

The Times Record:
Navy chief hails BIW's efficiencies
BATH — The top admiral in the U.S. Navy visited Bath Iron Works on Tuesday afternoon, and afterward discussed international shipbuilding opportunities as well as how the local shipyard's efficiency could help him advocate for more funding domestically.

Heating oil prices still breaking records
AUGUSTA — Home heating oil hit another all-time high this week, coming in at an average statewide price of $3.35 per gallon, up seven cents from last week and $1.09 higher than last year at this time.

Commentary: Can tax reform provide relief?


PORTSMOUTH HERALD:
York school budget lower than target
YORK, Maine — A $24.7 million proposed school budget for fiscal year 2009, which assumes a 3.4 percent tax increase, was presented to the School Committee last week.


YORK COUNTY COAST STAR:
FEMA grant comes through for Kennebunk homeowners
KENNEBUNK — Help is on the way.

THE YORK WEEKLY
Winter weather takes toll on York's public works budget
YORK — Despite this week's January thaw, heavy snowfall totals this winter have devastated the town's salt and overtime budgets.


MAINE COAST NOW:
New lobster catch rule
Ten percent of Maine lobstermen, identified as Dear Harvester, have now been selected as participants in a new DMR regulation to report comprehensive personal catch and effort information, which quite possibly leaves lobstermen vulnerable to financial audits by the Internal Revenue Service.

Agencies struggle to help families find emergency sources of oil
AUGUSTA — Agencies that provide emergency fuel assistance to low-income Mainers are stretched to the limit this winter by heating oil prices that are higher than ever before.

Athenahealth hearing set
BELFAST — Athenahealth has taken the first step toward buying the Phase 1 complex from Bank of America by seeking a site plan permit.


LINCOLN COUNTY NEWS:
SUSAN COLLINS: From the U.S. Senate: -- The Farm Bill: A Missed Opportunity
The American people are fortunate to have the most abundant and affordable food supply in the world. This bounty is the result of the hard work and initiative of our nation's family farmers.


MPBN:
Noted Economist Releases Gloomy Economic Forecast
Maine's economy is likely to slow to a virtual halt this year--or worse. That's the prediction of Muskie School economist Charles Colgan, who unveiled his annual economic forecast this morning in Portland.. Barbara Cariddi reports.

Ralliers Blast Governor for Spending Cut Proposals
Against the backdrop of a sluggish economy and possible recession, the state of Maine is facing a budget shortfall of 95 million dollars. Governor John Baldacci has proposed state spending cuts that will cut social services to the tune of nearly 40 milion dollars. But these are services for some of most Maine's vulnerable residents, and both advocates and consumers say that's not acceptable. Today they held a rally and news conference to urge the governor and the legislature to do better. Susan Sharon reports.

Governor to Focus on Budget Gap in State of the State Address
Gov. John Baldacci, meanwhile, vows that new taxes, alternative fees and tapping the rainy day fund will not be part of his plan to close a $95 million gap in the state budget. The governor will chart his course for seeing the state through a time of economic uncertainty tonight in his State of the State Address. As A.J. Higgins reports, lawmakers say they have high expectations for the Governor's speech.


keepMEcurrent
Sen. Collins to address Noble eighth-graders
BERWICK (Jan 9, 2008): Sen. Susan Collins was expected to visit Noble Middle School in Berwick at 1:30 p.m. Thursday to speak to the school's 240 eighth-grade students.


Ellsworth American:
Legislators: Overhaul School Consolidation
AUGUSTA — The pressure is on the Education Committee to bring about substantial change to the school consolidation law.

EDITORIAL: The Electoral Deficit in Foreign Policy
It is a peculiarity of modern American politics that we tend to elect as president men (so far) with little or no demonstrated expertise in foreign and defense policy. This is striking because we live in a time when world events impinge more directly and powerfully on the United States than almost ever before.

EDITORIAL: Getting the Debate Started
The Alliance for Maine's Future, an organization of more than 600 members formed in 2001 by Maine business leaders, sent a letter last week to members of the 123rd Legislature asking them to reduce state spending, rather than raise taxes and fees, to close the $100-million gap in the state budget. But the Alliance did more than simply toss the cost-cutting ball into the Legislature's court; it offered four very specific proposals "to achieve meaningful and sustained spending reductions."

EDITORIAL: New Model for Trade Agreements Needed
We were promised more jobs with NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement between the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Since it passed we've seen a loss of 24,000 manufacturing jobs in Maine alone.


BLOGS:
Senate Guru: Laurie Dobson

Text of State of the State Address
and
State of the State Republican Response

Turn Maine Blue: Maine Democratic Caucus, 10 February

5 responses to Baldacci's State of the State

Maine News for Wednesday, January 9, 208

PRESS HERALD:

Goodbye againAbout 1,000 people gather in Orono for the send-off for Charlie Company, 126th Aviation Regiment.

Governor's speech to focus on state spending, restructuringHe is trying to offset a deficit, boost compliance with a merger law and promote a jail takeover.

JONATHAN E. KAPLAN, Washington D.C. CorrespondentREPORTER'S NOTEBOOK Obama fails to draw SRO crowd at Dartmouth College

Vigil planned to protest proposed budget cutsAUGUSTA — Advocates for the poor and the elderly will gather in the State House Hall of Flags just before Gov. John Baldacci's State of the State address tonight to protest proposed state budget cuts.

Vermont sees tentative FairPoint dealThe renegotiated plan, which still needs a board's approval, essentially mirrors Maine's stipulation.

BILL NEMITZ: Mainer says Obama can bridge gapsShe's a 53-year-old, left-leaning Democrat. She started telling her friends a few years ago that Barack Obama would be this country's next president.

COLUMN: King controversy perfect fuel for the outrage industry— It almost looked like a misprint: Days after the King Middle School birth-control controversy was selected by readers as the top story of the year, we learned that an effort to recall three of the School Committee members who approved the new policy fell well short of the mark.

EDITORIAL: Bush's economy speech did little to dispel worry
There may not be any easy answers, but a "stay the course" message won't resonate.

LTE: Downeaster a service to all MainersRecent letters from readers in Raymond and West Baldwin and comments from some of Maine's Senate and House members who reside in northern Maine reflect ignorance of the facts about the Downeaster.

LTE: Condoleezza Rice a fine candidate for presidentThe ugly caricature of Condoleezza Rice that was published Dec. 2 was very offensive. The members of the editorial staff should be ashamed of themselves.

BANGOR DAILY NEWS:

School contract issues may modify consolidation plan When the Legislature's Education Committee meets today to consider ways to amend the school consolidation law, one of the thorny issues it will address is the law's requirement that new regional school units unify staff contracts.

Border passport requirement delayedCALAIS - Travelers entering the United States by land this year won't need a passport now that President Bush has signed the omnibus spending bill into law.

Va. company to take a look at PittsfieldPITTSFIELD - The sad fact that Somerset County and Greater Pittsfield have a high level of unemployed and underemployed people turned out to be an attractive quality to a Virginia telemarketing firm.

Baldacci preps speech for todayAUGUSTA - With major financial challenges facing the state, Gov. John Baldacci will outline his vision of the future shape of state government in his State of the State speech Wednesday night.

Today's Editorial:
Medicaid ExaminationWith a federal audit claiming Maine has overspent Medicaid dollars, coupled with impending cuts in federal funding for the health care program and a growing state budget shortfall, lawmakers in Augusta need to examine whether Maine's program is sustainable.

EDITORIAL: Cheney Impeachment

Jim Glavine: Plum Creek proposal should have closer lookThe Plum Creek Timber Co. proposal to rezone thousands of acres in the Moosehead Lake region is the largest in Maine history and one of the largest such rezoning requests ever proposed in this country.

John Buell: U.S.-Peru trade deal adds insult to NAFTA's injury Late last year, in especially untimely action, the U.S. Senate (with Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe voting yes) ratified the U.S.-Peru Free Trade Agreement.

LTEs: Follow the money; Wasted white space; Saving Moosehead

KENNEBEC JOURNAL:

Gardiner grad stumps for class credit, Obama The campaign for president has been very personal, and very real, for Randolph resident Gregory Clary.

Vigil protesting budget cuts planned before State of State AUGUSTA -- Advocates for the poor and elderly will gather in the Statehouse Hall of Flags tonight just before Gov. John Baldacci's State of the State address to protest proposed state budget cuts.

KJ BLOG
On Maine Politics
The return of Paul Davis? 01/08/08

MORNING SENTINEL:

Grants help Kennebec County plan for disasterAUGUSTA -- The Kennebec County Emergency Management Agency has been awarded three grants totaling $48,900 to continue its work preparing the county's 29 communities and one township for disaster, agency director Kelly Amoroso announced Tuesday.

EDITORIAL: New deal gives FairPoint some financial stabilityWith the approval of the Public Utilities Commission's three members last week, Verizon and FairPoint blew through a significant barrier to their controversial merger. Now, the companies must convince utilities regulators in Vermont and New Hampshire to bless their union as well.

COLUMN: Tax credits may spur projects in old buildingsAbsence makes the heart grow fonder. That saying applies to many things in life. We have found for many people, leaving Maine makes you realize just how special this state is. Our forests, rocky coast, lakes and streams are world class. Our downtown districts, full of historic buildings, are truly one of a kind.

LTE: Maine should take lead on the North Woods Throughout the United States and the world, Maine is known for how it differs from the rest of the United States.

LTE: Real issues facing U.S. don't get enough play

MPBN:

Maine Guard Unit Gets 2nd Deployment to Iraq 130 soldiers are leaving Maine soon as their Army National Guard unit sees its second deployment to Iraq in four years. Today there was an emotional ceremony at Alfond Arena to honor the departing soldiers. Murray Carpenter reports.

Maine Groundfishermen to Battle Feds in Court The battle between Maine groundfishermen and herring trawler operators has shifted to a new arena: federal court. After failing to convince the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to intervene, two groups of groundfishermen, based in Port Clyde and Saco, have filed a lawsuit seeking to ban so-called mid-water herring trawlers from areas closed to groundfishing. Barbara Cariddi reports.

SUN JOURNAL:

FairPoint, Verizon deal clears Vermont hurdleMONTPELIER, Vt. - The state of Vermont reached a tentative settlement Tuesday on FairPoint Communications' proposed $2.7 billion purchase of Verizon Communications' land lines in northern New England, but it still must pass state regulators' muster.

TIMES RECORD:

EDITORIAL: Out with the 'bold'Emboldened by his re-election in November 2006, Gov. John Baldacci promised "bold" leadership throughout his second term.

LTEs: Readers really loved this Editorial about taxes in Maine

PORTSMOUTH HERALD:Navy boss visits yard with budget in mindKITTERY, Maine — U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, toured the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on Tuesday morning with new Chief of U.S. Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead.keepMEcurrent

Key changes urged at school merger rules hearingAUGUSTA (Jan 9, 2008): Pressure is on the Education Committee to propose substantial change to the school consolidation law after a hearing where rural legislators pleaded for help to prevent what they say will be increased costs to taxpayers and loss of local control over their elementary schools.

Prosperity report calls for new budget cuts, tax reformsAUGUSTA (Jan 9, 2008): The committee charged with outlining a plan for Maine's future prosperity has unanimously endorsed a report that calls for creation of a special citizen commission to recommend $75 million in cuts to state government. It also asks the Legislature to take another crack at rebalancing the state's tax code to lower the top income tax rate

At $3.35, heating oil sets new record - againAUGUSTA (Jan 9, 2008): Home heating oil hit another all-time high this week, coming in at an average statewide price of $3.35 per gallon, up 7 cents from last week and $1.09 higher than last year at this time.

BLOGS:

As Maine Goes: Will Schools Close Under Baldacci Consolidation? You Bet! Turn Maine Blue: PPH opinion piece looks back a the King Middle School StoryReaders of the Portland Press Herald ranked the story centered around the decision by the Portland School Board to allow physicians to honor requests from some girls for contraceptives, and the media storm that followed it.

Senate Guru: Maine: The Kennebec Journal's retired editor is awfully mad about millions of dollars of waste and mismanagement in Iraq, but he doesn't blame Susan Collins. Maybe he should.

News of Maine: New YouTube Video From: Collins4Senator - Susan Collins presents medals to WWII veteran

POLITICKERME: Obama's Maine AngleTickmarks: Government Procurement: More Hassles Ahead?An alternative bill by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) is considered more palatable by contractors; nevertheless, some provisions in the Collins bill are still considered bothersome.

FOSTER'S DAILY DEMOCRAT Collins says she'll try for updated shipyard facilitiesKITTERY, Maine — Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said the message she'll try to get across to the Chief of U.S. Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral Gary Roughead during his tour of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Tuesday is the need for some upgraded facilities.

WASHINGTON TIMES:EDITORIAL: Bolstering homeland defense

TELEVISION:WCSH-6Rural Health Care Facilities Receive A Boost From FCCBANGOR (NEWS CENTER) -- The Federal Communications Commission will spend roughly $417 million over the next three years building and upgrading healthcare information networks throughout the United States.WCAX-3 Vermont

Federal grant to promote health care in northern New England BANGOR, Maine (AP) - Officials say health care providers in northern New England will get faster access to the latest medical information through a new regional broadband network. Maine U.S. Senator Susan Collins says the New England Telehealth Consortium network will link 555 rural and urban health care sites throughout Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.

NASHUA TELEGRAPH:HUD awards $9m to homeless centersAUGUSTA, Maine (AP) – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded more than $9 million to homeless care centers in Maine.

Maine News for Tuesday, January 8, 2007

PRESS HERALD:

Utility still challenging CMPA Kennebunk group hopes to take 1,500 CMP customers and add them to the rolls of Kennebunk Light & Power.

Council promises fair, open pier plansAfter last year's rocky review process, the public will be fully informed, Portland officials vow.

Mainers share N.H. primary excitementWith a trip across the state line, they can see candidates up close and personal.

Utility still challenging CMP A Kennebunk group hopes to take 1,500 CMP customers and add them to the rolls of Kennebunk Light & Power.

MAINE VOICES: Maine can be alternative energy leaderHowever, a focus on developing options that aren't based on fossil fuels will require an investment.

COLUMN: State fumbles for new revenues instead of spending cutsOther states have solved their overspending problems, including Oregon.

EDITORIAL: School lunch prices rise, but far faster than cost of livingFuel prices are rising, and help drive other costs higher -- but not by double-digit rates.

MORNING SENTINEL:

Hathaway project set for groundbreaking eventBain said staff members representing U.S. Reps. Tom Allen and Michael Michaud also are expected to speak.

Brother and sister bound for IraqOLD TOWN (AP) -- A brother and sister are among about 130 Maine Army National Guard members poised to deploy to Iraq this week as part of an aviation unit that evacuates injured soldiers and civilians from combat zones.

EDITORIAL: Consolidation should be fixed, not tossed If Maine's school consolidation plan were a child, we'd say it had an unsettled upbringing. And that would explain why the plan is so troublesome now.

COLUMN: Tracking waste of billions of taxpayer dollarsI'm angry. I wrote a check last week to pay the first installment of my federal income taxes for 2008.

KENNEBEC JOURNAL:

Conservative nonprofit hires new leaderAUGUSTA -- The state's leading conservative organization got a new leader Monday who's promising to drive four core issues -- economic vitality, tax policies, health care and education.

AUGUSTA: New leaders, new issues AUGUSTA -- Three new city councilors took the oath of office Monday and promptly found themselves with the task of voting on, among other matters, two issues: singing and dancing, and taxi driving.

Hallowell panel: Housing imperils diversity HALLOWELL -- City officials should be looking for opportunities to encourage less expensive housing to help lower-income families, municipal workers and artists remain a part of the community, members of the Affordable Housing Committee told city councilors Monday.

Rural health care to link up doctorsDoctors, hospitals and other health care providers in rural areas of northern New England will soon be able to share X-rays and other medical images, patients' records and video teleconferences with a new high-speed computer network.

LTE: Real issues facing country don't get enough play Welcome to a presidential primary season, in which most of the blockbuster issues facing our country don't even seem to be on the radar screen. We have a current national debt of $9.1 trillion that none of the candidates is talking about, even though we will face major funding issues for Medicare and Social Security within the term of the next administration.

LTE: There is no sense in the Maine Legislature

Editorials:
Consolidation should be fixed, not tossed If Maine's school consolidation plan were a child, we'd say it had an unsettled upbringing. And that would explain why the plan is so troublesome now.

MPBN:

Government Professor Says Political Ads Mobilize Voting As New Hampshire voters prepare to choose among the various presidential candidates, they're enduring a barrage of last-minute campaign ads. But there could be some gain in their pain, according to a new book co-authored by Bowdoin college government professor Michael Franz. Titled "Campaign Advertising and American Democracy," the book defies conventional wisdom about those ubiquitous 30-second spots that tend to deify candidates and demonize their opponents. Franz told Barbara Cariddi data the authors studied indicates that rather than distorting and debasing the democratic process, political ads actually help educate, engage and mobilize citizens.

Communciation Network to Link Northern New England Hospitals It's a challenge connecting rural Mainers with health care specialists, but a $25 million dollar project announced today should make things a bit easier. The federally funded New England Telehealth Consortium will provide a communication network linking 555 health care sites in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Murray Carpenter reports.

SUN JOURNAL:

EDITORIAL: Letting the ignorant few define us allLet's spare few words for the circulators of the "Mohammed the lost dog" posters in downtown Lewiston. Unless the words are simple, short, contain few syllables and are probably misspelled, it's likely those folks wouldn't understand what they say anyway.

Homeless centers get more than $9MSens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins said the money will help homeless people "make the difficult transition from joblessness and homelessness to a better and more productive life."

BANGOR DAILY:

$24.7M grant to expand telemedicine (Picture of Tom)BANGOR, Maine — Thanks to a major federal grant announced Monday by a local telecommunications firm, comprehensive health care will be available closer to home for many Maine residents.

Unions blast PUC approval of FairPoint dealUnion representatives opposing the sale of Verizon's northern New England land lines to FairPoint Communications are railing against the Maine Public Utilities Commission's decision to approve the transaction last week.

Rep. Michaud seeks to impeach Cheney Democratic U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud has called for impeachment hearings into the conduct of Vice President Dick Cheney.

State DEP issues air quality alertState environmental officials have issued an air quality alert for parts of southern, central and eastern Maine due to unusual weather patterns that are trapping dirty air close to the surface.

EDITORIAL: Cost of state benefitsAs state government wrestles over the next 18 months with a revenue shortfall projected at $95 million, it's time to consider the cost of state employee benefits.

EDITORIAL: Emissions stallThe Bush administration is right that a national policy to combat climate change is preferable to a state-by-state patchwork of rules.

John Buell: U.S.-Peru trade deal adds insult to NAFTA's injuryLate last year, in especially untimely action, the U.S. Senate (with Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe voting yes) ratified the U.S.-Peru Free Trade Agreement. Just as its predecessor, the North American "Free" Trade Agreement, has been coming under increasing scrutiny and criticism even from some of its former advocates, Congress has now extended NAFTA's concepts to one more South American nation.

LTEs: State, cut from within

POLITICKERME.COM

Life’s too short to be a politician
By Jessica Alaimo
After one term, state Rep. Lance Weddell, D-Frankfort, is calling it quits, Village Soup reported today.

PPH in New Hampshire
Jonathan Kaplan of the Portland Press Herald went down to New Hampshire this weekend. Check out his story on the GOP’s growing concern about Barack Obama, a piece on the changing landscape of politics in New Hampshire, and finally read some of his observations here.

THE TIMES RECORD:

Lawmaker pushes bill that limits carbon emissionsAUGUSTA — A bill that would limit carbon dioxide emissions from power plants using coal will be among the bills moving forward during this session of the Maine Legislature.

THE PHOENIX:

Is Laurie Dobson for real?The third party candidate for US Senate, who's running as an independent against Tom Allen and Susan Collins, says that she is.

BLOGS:

Turn Maine Blue: Is the Iraq War really an Issue in Maine? And also that Snowe has called for a date certain to withdraw our troops from Iraq - hardly the words of a supporter of continuing the occupation, and in fact exactly in line with Allen's view.

Collins Watch: A Team PlayerThe brand new Maine Owl blog has a long, detailed post taking us back to 2004 and the oil-for-food scandal, and exploring Sen. Collins' response at the time.

News of Maine: Senator Susan Collins' Campaign Emails Supporters to Vote in Maine News Maine Senate PollandNews of Maine: Important information about our current online pollsAs Maine Goes: Post Michaud's 'Morning After Pill' Bill for Servicewomen In 2002, the Department of Defense initially added emergency contraception to its Basic Care Formulary, a list of over 200 medications required to be stocked at all military treatment facilities.

As Maine Goes: Snowe Campaigning in NH for McCain"It's an important part of (McCain's) strategy to draw support from independent voters to ensure victory," said Maine Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe. Snowe campaigned for McCain over the weekend and will be on hand tonight for a rally in Portsmouth.

Maine Web Report: Hillary: LBJ more important to civil rights than MLKPOLITICKERME: Ron Paul on Maine After the debate this weekend I caught up with Ron Paul to ask what he thought about Maine. He said… well… pretty much what you'd expect, but check it out anyway.

FOSTERS DAILY DEMOCRAT:

Collins to discuss admiral's visit KITTERY, Maine — Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, will visit the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard today to discuss Admiral Gary Roughead, Chief of U.S. Naval Operations' visit to both the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and Bath Iron Works.

THE BOSTON GLOBE:

Federal grant to promote health care in northern New England U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, who joined Maine Gov. John Baldacci in announcing a $24.7 million Federal Communications Commission grant for the network.

Maine News for Monday, January 7, 2008

PRESS HERALD:

GOP turns up heat on ObamaSignaling his new status after winning the Democratic caucuses in Iowa last week, Sen. Barack Obama has become a factor in the New Hampshire Republican primary as some GOP candidates use him as a foil to attack their opponents and to unite their own party.

EDITORIAL: Verizon-FairPoint deal improved, but imperfect Approval by regulators was warranted, but the deal bears scrutiny as it goes forward.

EDITORIAL: Fiscal savings commission could produce results However, they still must succeed politically, which is where the real problem lies.

COLUMN: Involvement in Iraq needs to be looked at more closely Candidates focus on many issues, but the chief one still remains the viability of exporting democracy.

MAINE VOICES: Rain on the Clinton paradeWhy might Democrats not want to nominate the New York senator? The war in Iraq -- and war in general.

LTE: Exodus of Maine residents should be cause for worryThe article, "Maine's population sees 'small but steady growth,' " (Dec. 28) ignored the most important finding of the U.S. Census report – Maine's domestic in-migration has come to an end.

LTE: Let's shed dependence on fossil fuelsSince 2002, the cost of electricity in Maine has increased dramatically. Consumers in our state are now spending nearly $500 million more per year while consuming less. Maine's electricity prices are now among the highest in the nation.

BANGOR DAILY NEWS:

Sex offender registry changes eyed AUGUSTA, Maine — With a growing number of legal challenges to Maine's sex offender registry, members of the Legislature's Criminal Justice Committee are discussing rewriting the law this session creating a new registry system.

Law outlines strategy to fund transportationAUGUSTA, Maine — Sen. Dennis Damon, D-Trenton, chairman of the Transportation Committee, said he was "very relieved" that the Act to Secure Maine's Transportation Future became law this weekend.

Faith not an issue in electionBut religion is unlikely to be a deciding factor, either in the remaining primary and caucus season or in the subsequent presidential race later this year, according to former Republican gubernatorial candidate Chandler Woodcock.

OpEd: Ernie Hilton: Nuclear power not the solutionNuclear power has been touted as a panacea on these pages while obstacles to wind power have been discussed. Meanwhile, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has released a finding that Earth's societies at-large need to be in near complete reversal of current modes of carbon dioxide production by 2012 — four short years, or face the certainty of major disruption of many of Earth's ecosystems including species survival.

Editorial: Grounded expectationsMonday, January 07, 2008The lack of population density has destined BIA to be a feeder airport for regional hubs like Cincinnati and Detroit, Michael Boyd, an aviation consultant working for BIA reported recently.

LTEs: Energy Bill a sham; Consolidation Thoughts; Cherries and Prunes (about Iraq)

KENNEBEC JOURNAL

ICE STORM OF 1998Preparation for disaster is stronger But some towns lack generators AUGUSTA -- Overall, Kennebec County is better prepared today to deal with a natural disaster than it was a decade ago when the great ice storm crippled the state, officials say.

State of the State to provide a 'realistic look' AUGUSTA -- The governor's spokesman says the State of the State, which is set for Wednesday, will offer a "realistic look" at what's going on in Maine.

Candidates contendingwith the Obama factor NASHUA, N.H. -- Signaling his new status as the frontrunner in the New Hampshire Democratic primary, Sen. Barack Obama has become a factor within the Republican primary as some GOP candidates use him as a foil to attack their opponents and to unite their own party.

Editorial: Lesson of '98: Be ready before ice storm starts Are we ready? Those three words should be on everyone's minds this week, the 10-year anniversary of one of Maine's worst natural disasters, the Ice Storm of '98.

OP-Ed: Recycle: It's good forenvironment, makesmoney, saves energy Here's a resolution that's easy to keep. Recycle.

NAOMI SCHALIT : Religion-politics mix gives rise to fear I grew up in a household where among our many guests were older people with tattooed numbers on their arms. They spoke with accents -- Polish, German, French.

LTTE: Minimal LIHEAP aid ensures benefit eligibility One of your readers recently asked whether people living in subsidized housing with heat included also receive heating assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

MORNING SENTINEL:

State address will offer 'realistic look' at issuesAUGUSTA -- The governor's spokesman says the State of the State, which is set for Wednesday, will offer a "realistic look" at what's going on in Maine.

Maine law students enter battle on downloading, against record labels Lisa Chmelecki and Hannah Ames, friends and third-year students at the University of Maine School of Law in Portland, had never studied copyright law before a few months ago, and were unfamiliar with a historic legal battle brewing on college campuses nationwide.

OpEd: Religion-politics mix gives rise to fearI grew up in a household where among our many guests were older people with tattooed numbers on their arms. They spoke with accents -- Polish, German, French.

LTE: Minimal LIHEAP aid ensures benefit eligibilityOne of your readers recently asked whether people living in subsidized housing with heat included also receive heating assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

LTE: Money-saving suggestions for state of Maine

SUN JOURNAL:

Three terms, lot of turmoil for trio of city councilors LEWISTON - Norm Rousseau figures he and his outgoing City Council colleagues will be equally praised and condemned for the decisions they've made over the past six years.

LTE: The income divide

MPBN

PUC Approves Verizon-Fairpoint Deal
Late yesterday evening, the state's public utilities commission gave thumbs up to an agreement that paves the way for Fairpoint to acquire Verizon's telecom land lines in Maine. The deal was reached after some high-stakes brinksmanship, and as Murray Carpenter reports, it comes with a number of conditions.

Blethen Newspapers Oppose Bond Request By Times Record Buyer
Maine's largest newspaper chain is opposing a request from the prospective buyers of the Brunswick Times Record for a $7 million tax exempt revenue bond to purchase the coastal daily. As A.J. Higgins reports, Blethen Maine Newspapers says it would be unfair for state goverment to give an edge to one player in an increasingly competitive industry.


TIMES RECORD:

OPINION: Lengthy march to Election Day sorts wheat from chaff Our system for selecting presidential nominees takes a year and a half! For the would-be presidential candidates, it is an endurance contest. For a lot of the public, boredom has set in.

PORTSMOUTH HERALD:

Obama and McCain endorsedAUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain won endorsements Sunday from the Maine Sunday Telegram.

COURIER-GAZETTE

Rockland defends snow dump in harborROCKLAND - The city's practice of dumping snow into Rockland Harbor is under fire from the owner of a cruise ship/restaurant that has docked at a city pier for the past 10 years.

BLOGS:

Turn Maine Blue: John McCain: We should be in Iraq "for a hundred years." David Corn has this great piece about John McCain, in which McCain, at a campaign rally in Derry, NH on 3 Jan 08, says that it be necessary that U.S. troops remain in Iraq for the next hundred years. Watch it yourself:

Maine Owl: Susan Collins and the Oil-for-Food double standardRepublican US Senator in tough re-election bid escorts Iraq reconstruction inspector on PR tour last week, including Bangor appearance; but her inaction on US corruption during 2003 to 2005 (with deadly consequences) while at the same time hammering at the old UN Oil-for-Food program reveals deep hypocrisy

ONLINE JOURNAL:

Now congressional Democrats are attacking free speech