Maine News for Friday, March 7, 2008

Portland Press Herald

Foreclosures in Maine surge to record level
New figures show the state is faring worse than national averages during the mortgage crisis.

Snowe, Collins OK bill for tougher toy standards
The White House, though, is critical of a provision to establish a public database for complaints.

House acts against human trafficking
The bill would protect victims from being deported before they have a chance to testify.

Column: Nomination not all that's contested

M.D. HarmonAs in most elections, it's easy to confuse polls with votes
Thinking that a survey in March can tell us what will happen in November is too much to swallow.

ANOTHER VIEW: Letting in-state illegal aliens get licenses a shameful act
It is also shameful that the newspaper supports it, and that voters could allow it.

Stewart BakerRejecting Real ID a costly move
Maine's opposition to this program is based on misconceptions about privacy and security.

Bangor Daily News

Coast, country to lose education aid
AUGUSTA, Maine - Preliminary estimates for state education subsidies released by the Department of Education last week create winners and losers in school districts across Maine.

Official, lawmakers discuss regulating denturists, hygienists
A state official told lawmakers in Augusta on Thursday that denturists should continue to be regulated by the Maine Board of Dental Examiners, despite denturists’ repeated petitions for the state to establish a separate board.

Connors says budget debate needs attitude adjustment
ROCKPORT, Maine — Dana F. Connors, president of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, says a change of attitude and mindset about providing government services will have to take place outside the usual process.

Allen, Collins trade barbs as campaign heats up
Though the general election is eight months away, the two main contenders in Maine’s U.S. Senate race are not waiting until the weather warms up to start criticizing each other.

Baldacci: More budget cuts down the road
AUGUSTA, Maine — The ink was barely dry on a second package of $95 million in budget cuts when Gov. John Baldacci said Thursday that yet another set of reductions is likely as state revenues continue to fail to meet estimates.

EDITORIALS:

Maine's tax poll
Friday, March 07, 2008
The poll released by Market Decisions this week showing that 80 percent of Mainers oppose expanding taxes and fees even temporarily to cover the state budget gap is being waved like a banner by those who believe state government is bloated.

Editorial: Vote this way...or not
Friday, March 07, 2008
A column in the March 3 issue of Time magazine by managing editor Rick Stengel argues that newspapers should drop their long-standing policies of endorsing candidates for elected office.

Op-Ed

Richard C. McDonald: Breathe new life into MCA
Since 1986, when Yo Yo Ma and Isaac Stern performed for the inaugural celebration, the Maine Center for the Arts has proved itself as the cornerstone for the arts in eastern, northern and central Maine.

David Trahan: School funding gimmick courts disaster
Over the last four years, rural Maine’s educational system has endured three dramatic and potentially damaging changes to the way our children learn. First, the passage of the Maine Municipal Association-initiated referendum to force the state to fund 55 percent of local education.

Kennebec Journal

AUGUSTA FLOOD WATCH BEGINS: Above-average snowpack fuels concern for next two months
AUGUSTA -- As melting season approaches this year, it brings with it an elevated potential for river flooding. An above-average snowpack that has grown with each winter storm is to blame.

Most finding Maine Revenue Services walk-in service center
AUGUSTA -- With about six weeks to go until the tax-filing deadline, most residents seeking face-to-face help with their state forms have managed to find the new home of the walk-in service center for the Maine Revenue Services.

Bicycle Coalition of Maine director to head Thunderhead Alliance
AUGUSTA -- Jeffrey Miller, executive director of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, has been named president and chief executive officer of the Thunderhead Alliance, a group comprised of North American bicycle and pedestrian-advocacy organizations.

Editorial: Budget cuts painful, but unavoidable
That's the general attitude around the Statehouse, where Gov. John Baldacci released details this week of his plan to cut an additional $95 million from the state budget.

Column: Bush's fiscal priorities run counter to Maine's
One third of Maine's state spending comes from the federal budget so what happens in Congress matters greatly to our state's economy.

Column: Democratic superdelegates must answer 2 key questions
The race for the Democratic nomination got a lot more interesting this week. Hillary Clinton's victories in Ohio, Texas and Rhode Island have broken Barack Obama's momentum and guaranteed that she will stay in the race -- probably until the Democratic National Convention in August.

LTE: Demand accountability from Bush now
No doubt Bush's most compliant senator, Susan Collins, will strongly support this ominous weapons influx into the Middle East. Americans must demand Bush ...

Sun Journal

Some lawmakers want to force out Pan Am Railways
AUGUSTA (AP) - Some Maine lawmakers want to force Pan Am Railways to sell its lines in Maine because of complaints that it's failing to provide timely and consistent service to many of its manufacturing customers.

Real ID Act may mean travel woes for Mainers
AUGUSTA - As the implementation deadline of the Real ID Act gets closer, Mainers find themselves caught between principle and convenience.

MPBN

Amended School Consolidation Bill Passes House

By a fairly sizeable margin, the Maine House has given preliminary approval to an education bill designed to fix some major financial flaws in the original school consolidation law. The amended version of the bill mirrors legislation passed last month in the Senate. And it provides more options to local planning committees who want to retain some local control. As A.J. Higgins reports, LD 1932 could ultimately be on a collision course with Governor John Baldacci who wants all of the amendments stripped from the bill.

Attorneys Fear Clients' Rights Could Be Jeopardized

A legal showdown is looming over budget cuts proposed for Maine's court system. The Baldacci administration is asking court officials to cut 2.1 million dollars from its budget at a time when system administrators say they're already coping with a 2.7 million dollar budget shortfall. And as Barbara Cariddi reports, that's raising issues that go to the heart of the American constitution.

Conditions Right For Active Spring Flooding

It's not just your imagination, there is more snow on the ground than normal, a lot more. And with warmer temperatures around the corner, along with the chance for rain and snowmelt, the combination can create the kind of conditions that the state's River Flow Advisory Commission worries about. And as Murray Carpenter reports, the group met today to consider spring flooding potential.

Portsmouth Herald

Where will victims go? Agency may close The staff at Caring Unlimited, a domestic violence program serving York County, says if federal and state budget cuts are approved as proposed, they will be forced to close their doors to the women who need them most.

Bar Harbor Times

State may slash special ed funds Mount Desert Island High School and MDI’s four elementary schools would lose more than $500,000 in anticipated state funds for special education if the Legislature approves a recommendation of its Education Committee to help balance the state budget.

PolitickerME

Maine Education Association - Mills in Nasty Divorce Battle
They fought over money, and that appears to have been the final straw for Mr. Crouse. Well, that and a break-up note he sent to Senator Mills

House passes public notices bill
The House has passed a bill 71 to 53 today that will phase out public notices from newspapers. The newspaper industry and the Maine Press Association lobbied heavily against the bill, sponsored by Rep. Terry Hayes, D-Buckfield.

Maine News for Thursday, March 6, 2008

Portland Press Herald

Round 2 of spending cuts proposed
The governor sticks to his stance of no tax increases, but some fees would go up to help the state.

Trimming state jobs 'a devastating blow'
The state workers union's chief says he will fight the elimination of some of the 70-plus positions.

Maine superdelegates hold their positions

Courts asked to trim more from budget
Prosecutors also face cuts as part of the proposed solution to a state shortfall of nearly $200 million.

Editorial: What did and didn't happen in Tuesday's primaries
The Republicans chose a nominee and the Democrats chose a long, hard fight.

Column: Church-hopping Americans keep congregational leaders jumping, too
A new study shows the challenges leaders face, but at least they're not as bad as a root canal.

Column: Cuts in domestic-violence funds unwise
The need for intervention and support is growing, and less funding will only make things worse.

Letters

LTE: Get troops out of Iraq to help stability

LTE: Increase minimum wage to help cover basic needs

Bangor Daily News

Denture-makers fight for self-regulation
Mainers in need of dentures could face higher costs if a proposal before the Legislature fails.

Educator from New York chancellor’s choice for USM
BANGOR, Maine - An administrator from City University of New York is being tapped to become the next president of the University of Southern Maine.

Validation ballots draw officials’ ire
Towns and cities around the state will be required to hold an extra referendum on their local school budgets this year, thanks to the school consolidation law.

EDITORIAL
The year of the supers
With Hillary Clinton winning primaries in Texas and Ohio Tuesday but Barack Obama remaining ahead in the delegate count, it looks as if the superdelegates will determine which candidate is the Democratic presidential nominee.

Editorial: Tax incentive breakdown

Shawn Lewin: Cutting services to elders has moral, money costs

Kennebec Journal

FEMA funds to homeless
A Waterville-based board will decide how more than $100,000 in Federal Emergency Management Agency funds allocated to Kennebec and Somerset counties will be distributed to food and shelter programs, United Way of Mid-Maine officials said.

Education, Medicaid targeted in new round
AUGUSTA -- Gov. John Baldacci has responded to a worsening budget shortfall by proposing a new round of spending cuts that would trim education funding, restrict Medicaid services and eliminate 71 state jobs, all to keep the state in the black through June 30, 2009.

STATEHOUSE: 70 jobs to be eliminated, 48 of which are filled now
AUGUSTA -- A new round of budget cuts proposed Wednesday by Gov. John Baldacci would eliminate more than 70 state jobs, 48 of which are currently filled.

PAN AM RAILWAYS: Lawmakers consider takeover of Maine railroad freight line
State lawmakers' latest plan for improving freight rail service in Maine essentially comes down to this: engineering a hostile takeover of the rail lines owned by the state's largest railroad.

Editorial: McCain can wait patiently while Dems fight it out
It's not easy to feel sorry for Sen. John McCain. He's the son and grandson of admirals, a decorated veteran himself, and he bears his scars and genealogy with pride. The tough old bird survived torture and near-death as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, yet has never portrayed himself as a victim.

Column: Plight of overburdened middle class is serious national problem
As proposed state budget cuts have been announced over the past few weeks, a parade of complainants has descended upon the State House. The foster parents have come, the elderly, the consumers of mental health services.

Column: It's time for Legislature to get off the pot of ethics reform and do it
The 123rd Legislature adjourned its first regular session of the two-year cycle last summer leaving a lot of important lawmaking un-done, including the cleaning up of its own ethical stable.

LTE: Blueprint for action to counter recession
For more than a decade, I've had letters published as blueprints to prepare for the recession we're about to enter. Now is the time for direct action and this letter will propose a "three-prong economic counter attack."

LTE: Nuclear power revival has terrible consequences
I read the letter (Davis, Feb. 17) advocating a return to safe, affordable nuclear power and your coverage of Maine's interest in closer ties to the Maritime provinces and power grid. Although the proposal for a new nuclear plant in Canada was noted, it was soft-pedaled by our governor as an internal Canadian matter.

LTE: Can Democratic Party afford gender, racial splits?
In Ellen Goodman's Feb. 23 column, she suggests that the women's movement made it easier for Obama's success because he has become the attractive "Oprah candidate" by displaying "the transformative inspirational, collaborative, 'female' style."

Blame feds for economic woes, not Augusta
Maine cry-babies ought to give the state and local officials a break. Lean economic times are affecting every state, municipality, and school district even most developed countries. (How do you like globalization so far?) Our legislators have an extremely difficult task between providing needed services and balancing the budget. Cut 'em some slack.

Morning Sentinel

LTE: Sub-headline incorrect on Collins' video story
I was amazed to read the sub-headline in the Feb. 28 Morning Sentinel about Susan Collins' video attacking Tom Allen: "Video shows Allen burning flag," it reads.

LTE: Health-care workers need living wage, benefits
Why is Maine having this problem? The federal government does not seem to value the work done by direct care workers or value its elders or disabled, because if it did the reimbursement rates would change. More people need to voice their opinions to the federal senators and representatives and make this a priority. States match federal dollars.

Sun Journal

Dirigo bill goes to committee
AUGUSTA (AP) - As Gov. John Baldacci updated his budget adjustment plans with a new package of transfers and cutbacks that contains no new taxes, lawmakers are gearing up for a hearing next week on a bill to bolster Maine's Dirigo Health programs that relies on a set of tobacco tax hikes.

Maine delegation remains pat after latest primaries
AUGUSTA (AP) - With the Democratic presidential nomination still undecided after the latest round of primaries, the emphasis shifts to each state's so-called superdelegates, and the few in Maine who endorsed a candidate remained loyal to their choice Wednesday.

Baldacci unveils budget changes
AUGUSTA (AP) - Gov. John Baldacci, spelling out how he would make up for the second $95 million reduction in state revenue estimates in three months, unveiled a budget change package Wednesday that relies largely on new proposals to cut back planned expenditures, including on state aid to local schools.

Hard snuff ban closer to repeal
AUGUSTA (AP) - Maine lawmakers want to repeal a ban they enacted last year on the sale of a tobacco lozenge product known as hard snuff.

DHHS sends workers home after roof sags
AUGUSTA - Most of the 300 workers at a leased Maine Department of Health and Human Services building off Civic Center Drive were sent home Wednesday morning after discovering deformed ceiling panels caused by the weight of snow on the roof.

Maine student loans not at risk
AUGUSTA - Despite turmoil in the nation's credit markets, Maine students' ability to obtain education loans should not be significantly affected.

State school funds less than expected
AUGUSTA - A slowed economy and $190 million less in tax revenue means the state will not be able to boost education spending as planned.

Times Record

State ponders restoring retirement benefits.(full story)

MPBN

Governor Spells Out New Spending Revisions

With the exception of two new fees, Governor John Baldacci submitted a plan to close a 95-million dollar budget hole that imposes no new taxes and does not deplete the state's Rainy Day Fund. Instead, it relies on significant cuts to education and health care programs for the poor and even more administrative belt-tightening. As A.J. Higgins reports, the governor's budget continues a process perceived by many as the shrinking of state government.

Coastal Schools Hit Hard By Budget Cuts

Among the school districts hardest hit by the 34 million dollar reduction in the state subsidy known as General Purpose Aid to Education are small coastal communities with high property valuations. These are towns that are known as "low receivers" of state aid, but whose year-round residents are not necessarily wealthy, and whose superintendents are dependent on every dollar they get. Susan Sharon reports.

Portsmouth Herald

Snowe, Collins announce release of $3.84 million in emergency
WASHINGTON, DC — US Senators Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins (R-ME) announced that the United States Department of Health and Human Services has released

Veto of Maine school consolidation may be in works - 3/5/2008

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — As part of his new $95 million budget change package, Gov. John Baldacci is setting the stage for a possible veto of a school system consolidation bill pending in the Legislature.

Maine House kills bill outlawing sale of energy drinks to minors - 3/5/2008

AUGUSTA, Maine — A bill to outlaw the sale of high-energy drinks to minors in Maine is dead for this year's session.

Portland Phoenix

The outsiders: None of Maine’s indy candidates can win a seat in the US Senate, but they will have a say in who does Just a few months ago, the story-line of Maine’s 2008 US Senate race seemed inevitable.

Lincoln County News

Camp Kieve Does Not Contest Discrimination Report During a brief hearing in Augusta Monday afternoon, the Maine Human Rights Commission accepted an investigator's report that found reasonable

Ellsworth American

Super Delegate Issue Remains A Muddle for Maine Democrats

Portland Press Herald

Shortfall an obstacle to tax reform
Both fixes can't be made in 2008 if each requires a tax increase, skeptics say.

Panel calls for cooperation on Saco Bay
State House: It's seeking a delay on development so communities can discuss how to manage the waters.

Bill may protect desperate debtors
State House: Homeowners facing foreclosure need protection from dishonest companies, lawmakers say.

New graduation rules off the table
State House: Schools have enough to deal with right now, Commissioner Susan Gendron tells legislators.

Alewives' return to St. Croix River debated
State House: Are they a vital link in the food chain or a threat to salmon and bass?

Editorial: Ethics bills welcome, but what took so long?
The need for changes leaders now propose has been obvious for quite a while.

Three communities show that consolidation works
Falmouth, Cumberland and North Yarmouth students will be better served in a merger.

Commentary: Don't let Verizon off privacy hook
Maine's senators have voted to grant it immunity on wiretapping, a true miscarriage of justice.

LTE: Taxpayers bear brunt of increased budget burden

LTE: Informed Growth Act supportive, responsible

Bangor Daily News

Tribal-State Relations
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
After years of distrust and sometimes outright hostility, the state's Indian tribes and state officials have made important progress in improving relations.

Opinion: Jody Spear: Evaluating hazardous consumer products
Last week, while LD 2048, An Act to Protect Children's Health and the Environment from Toxic Chemicals in Toys and Children's Products, was being debated in the Legislature, a hearing was held before another committee on LD 1977, recommending statewide screening that would lead to intensive treatment of autism.

Wednesday's Letters to the Editor

Redirected spending; Prisons and immigrants; No more cuts; Legislature and parenting; Hoping for health care

Kennebec Journal

STATEHOUSE: 'Rescuers' could steal your home Foreclosure predators targeted
AUGUSTA -- They're called rescue companies.

State: New high school requirements should be suspended
AUGUSTA -- The Department of Education urged members of a legislative committee Tuesday to table until the Legislature's 2008-09 session a bill that would revise the state's high school graduation requirements.

Fears increasing about $4-a-gallon gas
Mainers are paying a nickel more per gallon of gasoline than the national average, and Maine gas prices have jumped up 10 cents in the past month, AAA reports.

Editorial: Justice can't be compromised to save money Budget problems no reason to treat trials as if they were optional
No government service is more essential than securing our safety and freedoms -- and you can't do that very well if you treat criminal trials like something you can give up for Lent.

Column: Toxicologist helps Maine revise policies Bush administration heeds American Chemistry Council request, bumps Rice from EPA panel
That's why I'm so proud that last year the Maine Legislature was among the first of many states to ban the hazardous and outdated deca-BDE flame retardant from household products.

Column: PROPOSAL TO ALLOW MAIL, PHONE ORDERS FOR WINE Maine wine dealers ask for level playing field for sales
As with most bills, there is more than meets the eye in the proposal by Sen. Lynn Bromley, D-South Portland, to allow mail and phone orders of wine to be shipped into Maine.

GEORGE SMITH : Apologies to grandson for boomers' failures, excesses
Dear Addison: Grampy needs to apologize to you.

LTE: Money not spent on old Cony room, where is it?
Our illustrious (?) city manager, William Bridgeo has led the taxpayers of Augusta to believe that the old Cony High School should be heated to prevent an overload of snow from building up on the roof.

Sun Journal

Herring plan brings debate
AUGUSTA (AP) - The lowly river herring, or alewife, was the focus of spirited testimony before a legislative panel that took up a plan to reintroduce the once plentiful forage fish into the St. Croix River watershed.

Baldacci says no plan to use Rainy Day funds
AUGUSTA (AP) - Gov. John Baldacci, preparing to unveil a revised supplemental budget package to cover an approximately $200 million gap, said Tuesday he would hold off from tapping state Rainy Day reserves, at least in part because Maine's revenue shortfall could grow even worse.

Dirigo reform package emerges
AUGUSTA (AP) - A new bill headed for committee review is a long-in-development effort by Dirigo Health supporters to bolster the state's troubled health insurance program and advance access to medical care for needy Mainers.

Our View: Rainy days cannot close Maine's courts
The wheels of justice may turn slowly, but they do turn. This could change under a proposal under consideration by Maine's court system.

LTE: Wind moratorium
With all the controversy over the projected wind farm in Byron and Roxbury, we owe it to ourselves to become more informed of the facts before we make a hasty decision that we may regret.

Times Record

Study tags needless boards in Maine...(full story)

MPBN

Bill Would Curb Unscrupulous Foreclosures

Mainers caught up foreclosure proceedings are sometimes willing to agree to anything in order to buy the time they need to try and hang onto their homes. While there are reputable companies that offer legitimate plans to forestall or suspend foreclosure proceedings, there are other so-called rescue companies whose main intent is to strip the borrower of any acquired equity in the property. The legislature's Insurance and Financial Services Committee is currently reviewing a bill that would more clearly spell out the consequences for homeowners considering a title transfer in order to save their homes from foreclosure and discourage unscrupulous practices. A.J. Higgins reports.

Lawmakers to Decide on Revisions to Indian Land Claims Settlement

Nearly 30 years ago the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act called for Maine tribes to relinquish their claims to more than half of Maine lands in exchange for an 80 million dollar settlement that could be put toward future land purchases. It also established a unique relationship between state and tribal governments that's often been a thorny one. But a group of tribal and state representatives has been meeting since August to draft some proposed changes and bring the law up to date. The bill to implement the revisions will get a hearing tomorrow. Murray Carpenter reports.

The Courier-Gazette

GOP hopefuls announce for state seats

Maine News for Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Portland Press Herald

Shortfall to force difficult choices
State House: The options are to cut spending deeply, dip into savings, increase taxes -- or a combination.

Poll calls for less spending rather than tax increase
Critics say following that advice would jeopardize crucial social services.

Senate looks to reform consumer safety agency
The legislation follows last year's recalls of children's toys and other products.

With time running out, Clinton bets it all today
ANALYSIS: Convincing wins would give the New York senator a strong argument to keep campaigning.

Bush budget cut could hurt Maine woods
Forest-management programs in the state could lose more than half their federal funding.

Maine gets low score for government
Its agencies are not held accountable in making their budget requests, the Pew Center says.

Bills could strengthen lawmakers' ethics rules
State House 2008: The Senate president says her bill is a response to Maine's poor rating for its disclosure requirements.

Editorial: Gift card cash-out bill would put money where it belongs
Consumers should be able to keep the last few dollars of store credit.

Column: Moderate Manifesto seeks tax solution
We can ease the heavy burden that weakens Maine's economic health and drives people away.

Column: Unsafe roads demand higher priority
Too much state spending has shifted to Medicaid, at the expense of needs like roads and bridges.

Letters

LTE: Allow individuals to defend themselves

LTE: Our business leaders have sold out American public

LTE: Defense spending wasteful allocation of resources

Bangor Daily News

Legislative battle centers on alewives
AUGUSTA, Maine - With its oily texture, bony flesh and homely appearance, the river herring doesn’t seem like the kind of fish to inspire love or hatred, much less political feuds.

Superdelegate with Maine ties ineligible
The superdelegate vote of former Maine Gov. Kenneth Curtis won't count, according to a Democratic National Committee official.

Trying economic times pinch East Machias couple
EAST MACHIAS, Maine - A few years ago, things were going along just fine for Norma and Randy Stoddard, financially speaking.

Editorial: Trade Winners, Losers
At a recent debate, Democratic presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton argued about the efficacy of NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, with each trying to paint the other as favoring the agreement.

Editorial: Real ID, Real Foolishness
Despite many unresolved problems, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security continues to threaten sanctions against residents of states that do not move toward compliance with the Real ID Act, which sets tighter standards for driver's licenses.

Opinion: Thomas J. Gaffney : Hope and Charity need our faith in hard times
In these difficult economic times, I know the good people of Maine care deeply about those living with us who are unable to care for themselves. Surely people have been alarmed by the staggering cuts in federal money for MaineCare services, especially at a time when the need is growing and our ability to serve is diminishing.

Kennebec Journal

Legislation would require disclosure of finances, conflicts of interest for lawmakers
AUGUSTA -- Lawmakers would have to disclose more about their financial ties, and citizens could lodge complaints directly with the ethics commission, under bills sponsored by the Senate president and House speaker.

BREAKING THE BANK
AUGUSTA -- Maine's growing budget problems are setting the stage for a debate over whether the state should raise taxes, or rely exclusively on spending cuts and withdrawals from the state's saving account.

Panel finds discrimination in 5 job actions
AUGUSTA -- The Maine Human Rights Commission found reasonable grounds to believe a local oil company discriminated against a disabled employee by firing her while she was hospitalized.

Editorial: Alewives, bass live in harmony; re-open St. Croix Sportfishing guides still oppose lifting ban, despite scientific study that shows no impact
The eastern Maine hamlet of Grand Lake Stream, set among sparkling lakes deep in the emerald woods of the St. Croix River watershed, has long been at the center of a battle over two kinds of fish: alewives and bass.

Column: After Plum Creek: Visions of northern Maine's future How we decide is as important as what we decide In the year 2028, how will our public institutions and private owners shape decisions in northern Maine? What does "smart growth" in the large areas of northern Maine mean in the long term? How do we build long-term livelihoods without trashing the place?

LTE: Go after fraud in Maine; think of the savings
People who hold office in this state should put into play some real easy cost-saving plans. Plans to save money instead of taking from the people who need help.

Sun Journal

Congressional hopeful is home on 2-week leave
SCARBOROUGH (AP) - Navy reservist Charles Summers, a candidate for the open seat in the 1st Congressional District, is in Maine on a 15-day leave during his 10-month tour of duty in Iraq..

Poll: Mainers don't want higher taxes
PORTLAND - Mainers are rejecting temporary tax increases and fee increases to fill a projected budget gap that has ballooned to nearly $200 million, according to a poll released Monday.

Lawmaker wants change in cribbage gaming law
AUGUSTA - A 34-year-old law affecting some of Maine's most passionate cribbage players is due for an update, according to Rep. John Patrick.

LTE: Reducing conflict
As members of the Wind Power Task Force, we appreciate the support in your Feb. 20 editorial ("Wind report a blow for Redington"), but note that it fails to address the task force's commitment to the governor's directive to guide development to appropriate areas.

MPBN

Poll: No New Taxes As budget negotiators in Augusta continue work to close a combined shortfall of 190 million dollars, some legislative leaders are considering new taxes to raise additional money. But according to a poll released today, Mainers say they are irrevocably opposed to tax increases as a budget-balancing solution. A.J. Higgins reports.

Senate President Opts For Increased Public Disclosure More should be done to increase public confidence in state government. That's the view of Maine Senate President Beth Edmonds, who today presented a Bill to broaden transparency in government. Tom Porter has more.

Debate Resumes Over Alewife Restoration On the St. Croix The spring alewife run is still a couple of months away, but a proposal aimed at bolstering populations of small river herring in the St. Croix River watershed drew a roomful of people to the Augusta Civic Center today. Proponents say restoring the once-abundant alewife runs would have broad ecological benefits, but local fishing guides say alewives harm the smallmouth bass that bring anglers to downeast lakes. Murray Carpenter reports.

Morning Sentinel

From the Editor
Susan Collins campaign video that showed Iraq War protesters burning flags, and also showed a separate image of US Rep. Tom Allen — Collins' opponent.

Bar Harbor Times

Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport gets TSA reimbursement The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has notified U.S. Senator Susan Collins that the agency has agreed to her request that it reimburse the Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport $30,000 for security personnel expenses that were incurred due to federal security requirements.

The Courier-Gazette

GOP hopefuls announce for state seats A Republican candidate has announced for the House seat being vacated by Rep. Christopher Rector, R-Thomaston. And a second Republican has come forward in the House seat that includes Waldoboro.

Brunswick Times Record

Bath woman in running to become a superdelegate
Tom Allen and Mike Michaud are among Maine's superdelegates. If the nationwide delegate count is close, the superdelegates could tip the scales in support

The Camden Herald

Shaw to run as Republican for Camden-Rockport ROCKPORT — Knox County Republicans announced Monday afternoon, March 3, that Helen Shaw of Rockport will run for the Maine House of Representatives District 46 seat being vacated by Rep. Dave Miramant, D-Camden.

Weekly Observer

Severe winter poses new challenges, new solutions for many seniors

It's not just the weather that's posing extra challenges to Maine seniors this year. With icy roads, rising fuel costs and fixed incomes, many elderly residents are virtually trapped in frigid homes they can't afford to heat. Full Story

Earthtimes, UK

AHCA, Alliance Praise Bipartisan Johnson, Collins Letter Urging
today praised a new bipartisan letter from US Senators Tim Johnson (D-SD) and Susan Collins (R-ME) to Senate Budget Committee Chair Kent Conrad (D-ND)

ACLU (press release), NY

MCLU Blasts Sen. Susan Collins for Pandering to the Bush
ACLU (press release), NY - 17 hours ago
Portland, ME – The Maine Civil Liberties Union condemned a letter sent by Senator Susan Collins today that attempts to pressure Governor John Baldacci into

BLOGS

As Maine Goes
Collins Says Time Is Now For Health Care Reform ‘All of us should hold public hearings and get the very best ideas that we can. We should consider everything, every idea out there.’

Report: A Large Majority of Mainers Want Cuts, Not Taxes Six in ten Mainers would recommend the state audit, consolidate, or cut spending to address the budget shortfall. • Eight in ten Mainers would somewhat or strongly oppose increasing taxes temporarily to address the budget shortfall.

Dem Sen. Pres. Edmonds Can Support Balancing State Budget with ‘New Revenue’ ‘As I've said before, after 7 years, we have cut all the fat. Now we are down to muscle and bone.’

Strimling's 25-Cent Deposit Per Light Bulb

Maine News

Cummings: Dems Shut GOP Out of Budget Making Process - As Maine Goes Forum "Speaker Cummings is telling us Republican legislators will have no input on repairing the State Budget that isn't first Democrat-approved."

Politicker Maine

Bill creates pathway for citizens to complain about their legislators

Maine House Speaker Glenn Cummings, D-Portland, is pushing legislation to redefine conflict of interest, undue influence and abuse of office in state government.

Edmonds: Expand public disclosure

Senate President Beth Edmonds wants to give lawmakers a few more forms to fill out.

She presented a bill to increase public disclosure to the Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee Monday, which would require legislators and executive branch officials to disclose the following:

CD1 candidates discuss the economy

Five candidates vying for the 1st Congressional District seat debated Sunday morning in Cornish, discussing the economy, health care and global warming.

Turn Maine Blue

Susan Collins calls for health care reform This is really so precious: a woman that has been the No. 1 dirty water carrier for the Cheney/Bush regime, that didn't perform even the slightest oversight as BILLIONS were stolen from our Treasury, a woman that should be owed a favor or two from the people that she has worked so diligently to enable and protect, ought to have a chit or two to cash in.

Being for or against something isn't enough But one distinction I think we need to understand -- and something I talked about yesterday -- is that just being for or against something isn't enough. And just electing Democrats isn't enough. Although most of the bad decisions and misplaced priorities we've seen over the last seven years have come out of the Bush Administration with the cooperation of a Republican Congress, the truth is Democrats have sometimes voted on the wrong side of important issues.

ME-1: Sacopee Valley Community Forum Sunday morning the candidates running to replace Tom Allen in the 1st District gathered for the Sacopee Valley Community Forum. This story in the Portland Press Herald sums it up:. The eight candidates are vying to replace Democratic

Maine News for Monday, March 3, 2008

Portland Press Herald

Greater Portland to choose many new state legislators
Election 2008: The state's term-limits law accounts for much of the turnover.

Economy dominates 1st District forum
Five candidates for Tom Allen's congressional seat also touch on health care and global warming issues.

New boss takes over at UMaine Augusta
The university's first female president says she missed contact with students and faculty.

Editorial: Indicting Bush and Cheney would make town look small
Kennebunkport's town meeting should not try to undo the results of two national elections.

Commentary

Leigh Donaldson Votes from Americans abroad more important in this election year
With millions of expatriates interested in participating, making sure their ballots count is vital.

LTE: Portlanders urged to reject school plan

LTE: Maine Med committed to educating med students

LTE: Reduction in stipends would hurt foster families

Bangor Daily News

Maine joins lawsuit over Medicaid
Monday, March 3, 2008
AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine is joining three other states in a lawsuit against the federal government over new Medicaid rules.

Thousands gather for 16th Can-Am race
Susan Collins told the crowd before the start of the Irving Woodlands 250-mile race, which started shortly after 10 am "Only in Fort Kent.

Editorial:McCain and Red Meat
Monday, March 3, 2008
A conservative radio commentator is claiming that likely Republican presidential nominee John McCain 'threw me under a bus' after the commentator, Bill Cunningham, opened a rally for the candidate with some pointed barbs at the Democratic candidates.

Editorial: Climate Waiver-ing
Monday, March 3, 2008
Susan Collins said. "If states like my home state of Maine establish reasonable standards to help address this serious problem, the federal government

Opinion: Thomas Moore: The lies of war
Nearly 4,000 American soldiers have died since the start of the Iraq War. As we read particulars about the lives of Americans who have died or been maimed in Iraq, the bleak comparison between a life lived fully and a life cut short, lost to a cause that was misrepresented and illegal from the outset, can only overwhelm us.

Monday's Letters to the Editor LTE: Proud of our senators - I’m writing to express my appreciation of Maine’s two senators.

Kennebec Journal

New UMA president 'excited' for job
AUGUSTA -- As a high-ranking state education leader in Kentucky, Allyson Hughes Handley was in a position to greatly influence policy impacting thousands of young lives.

STATEHOUSE NOTES: Cribbage defenders to make themselves heard
AUGUSTA -- Cribbage players and other card lovers are expected to come to the Statehouse today to testify on a bill that would increase card game-license fees.

Augusta eyes $11M in savings
AUGUSTA -- The city is working to save itself more than $11 million.

Mainers on floodplains widely uninsured
Nearly 75 percent of Maine homes and businesses located on floodplains currently do not have flood insurance, the Maine State Planning Office estimated Friday.

Editorial: Pretty package notwithstanding, it's still a casino
What's environmentally friendly and promotes higher education, health care, public transportation and reduced-cost prescription drugs?

LTE: Collins' ad tells truth about MoveOn, Allen
I am responding to the gentleman from Bowdoin, Bill DiGiulio's letter of Feb. 27. (This same letter also ran in the Morning Sentinel).

LTE: Questioning Obama's patriotism 'unpalatable'
I find the implication that someone who has dedicated his or her life to serving America lacks patriotism utterly unpalatable.

LTE: It's not 'murder' until soul enters fetus near birth
Supporters of Roe v. Wade make the enormous mistake of contending that abortion is solely a question of "choice," when their primary argument should be that the right-to-lifers calling abortion "murder" is plainly and simply unsupportable.

LTE: Corporate America's president, not ours
The president (he-who-must-not-be-named) has accused Congress of putting American lives in danger for not renewing the homeland security bill that allows phone companies and others to read our e-mails, listen to our phone calls, and otherwise erode our civil rights.

Morning Sentinel

LTE: Sexual predators have no right to privacy
I am writing in response to Sunday's (Feb. 17) article "Treatment of Sexual Offenders Debated." The topic itself is a powerful one here in central Maine because of the large population of sex offenders/predators (I prefer to call them predators). I can understand the need to voice both sides of an argument, but there is no other moral side to one like this.

Sun Journal

This morning, their State News page does not seem to be loading correctly, as only one story is showing up. I will check back to see if there are updates later, in the meantime please feel free to check: http://www.sunjournal.com/State/1/35/2/index.html

Our View: Around the world with $8.7 million
We didn't stay in a Holiday Inn last night, but odds are, a state official did.

LTE: Clarity of stance
We need major changes in the structure and choices of the political parties in this country.

VillageSoup/Knox County Times

State agencies, organizations join forces to protect Maine's
Susan Collins, Shaw Sprague, both spoke about bills they have presented that would also protect more working waterfront. "Gerry in Port Clyde and people up

BLOGS

As Maine Goes

How Does Tom Allen Keep His Promise to American Veterans if He Doesnít Know What They Look Like?

Politicker Maine

This week on PolitickerME.com ‘Dr. Democracy’ sought a House seat, Dobson took aim at Bush, Strimling filed petitions, Scontras took the stage, and we pondered the SnowSenator.

Turn Maine Blue

Priorities"Priorities" is a word I think about a lot these days. As our economic problems become more and more significant, it becomes staggeringly clear how misplaced the Bush Administration's priorities have been.

Bruin Democrats

A look at the Senate races Maine: Susan Collins (R) doesn’t have the stature that fellow Senator Olympia Snowe (R) has. Rep. Tom Allen (D) is running to challenge Collins. But even though Maine is a blue state, he’ll have an uphill climb. Collins has worked hard

Cliff Schecter

So Sue me. Tom Allen voted against it in 2002. Remember that year? That was the year it was "unpatriotic" to do that. Uh huh. And he's still actively trying to end that disastrous mess. In other words, he is trying to save lives, which translates