Michael Shepherd

Staff Writer

Latest

Published
January 22, 2013

State General Assistance funding might run dry

Gov. LePage’s proposed $10.1 million cap for the current fiscal year could leave funding “a couple months short,” says the director of DHHS’ Office of Family Independence.
Published
January 21, 2013

Bill seeks to roll back Maine law covering insurance rate review

More bills looking to change the law passed by the Republican-led Legislature in 2011 are expected.
Published
January 21, 2013

Legislators consider reinstating state review of insurance rate hikes

AUGUSTA — The first proposal to re-establish Maine’s process of reviewing certain health insurance rate changes is scheduled to go to a legislative committee Tuesday.
Published
January 17, 2013

State takes first steps in banning BPA from baby food packaging

AUGUSTA — The Board of Environmental Protection took a preliminary vote Thursday to ban the sale of baby food and infant formula in containers made with the chemical additive bisphenol-A, or BPA. If approved in a final vote and later endorsed by the Legislature, the initiative would make Maine the third U.S. state to impose BPA bans that exceed federal standards.
Published
January 17, 2013

Maine board backs ban on BPA in baby-food packaging

If adopted by the Legislature, Maine would be the third state to impose BPA bans that exceed federal standards.
Published
January 16, 2013

Saviello supports tax raise on wealthy

AUGUSTA — Republican state senator Tom Saviello, of Wilton, wants to raise the state’s tax on earned income of more than $250,000, but he’ll probably face opposition from heavy hitters in his party, including Gov. Paul LePage.
Published
January 16, 2013

In switch, Maine Republican pushes higher taxes on wealthy

State Sen. Tom Saviello, R-Wilton, said his constituents disagree with Gov. LePage’s tax cuts for Maine’s 4,100 wealthiest families.
Published
January 15, 2013

Maine roads and bridges in line for extra boost

Lawmakers will consider a $100 million transportation bond with $51 million due to be released.
Published
January 14, 2013

LePage: Borrow $100 million for prison project

State officials say the project, which would demolish most of the prison’s buildings, is needed because of badly outdated facilities.
Published
January 11, 2013

Plan to balance Maine’s social services budget relies on one-time fixes

The fiscal year ends June 30, making it too late for big reforms and program cuts, Maine’s finance chief says.