Lawmakers will likely keep funding the same, but the bigger fight is over control and that may not be resolved this session.
Eric Russell
Staff Writer
Eric Russell has been a general assignment reporter at the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram since 2012 and has been a journalist in Maine since 2004. Because he doesn’t have a specific geographic or topical area to cover, Eric often is free to roam the state in pursuit of the most interesting stories, whether it’s tackling the big topic of the day or chasing ideas that fall just outside the boundaries of everyday news. His favorite assignments are ones where he can leave the office and meet with people in their homes or their workplaces to talk about their struggles and challenges – and sometimes their triumphs. Or to try and answer complicated questions.
Eric grew up in Southern Maine, went to college at the University of Maine and worked in Bangor for eight years before joining the Press Herald. He lives in Brunswick with his wife, a school teacher, and two daughters.
Posted inMaine, News
Driver remains in critical condition after crash with school bus in New Gloucester
Police are still investigating the cause and have taken blood samples to determine whether he was impaired.
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Posted inCops & Courts, Maine, News
Portland police increase patrols after five more vehicle break-ins
They also are examining video of a suspect after about three dozen car burglaries since Monday.
Posted inNews
House Speaker Eves named Good Will-Hinckley president despite LePage protest
Mark Eves, a Democrat from North Berwick, will take over leadership of the Fairfield school for at-risk youth.
Posted inMaine, News
Family of Mainer in Nepal acknowledges her death on Facebook
Dawn Habash, a yoga instructor from Augusta, was hiking when a massive earthquake rocked the country, killing at least 8,000 people and injuring thousands more.
Posted inPolitics
Maine Senate approves standardized testing opt-out bill
The measure, rejected by the Legislature’s education committee, would strengthen parents’ rights to have children sit out during standardized achievement tests in public schools.
Posted inBusiness, News, Politics
Maine House approves minimum wage increase but final passage uncertain
The bill would raise the hourly minimum incrementally to $9.50 by 2018, but Gov. LePage is likely to veto it even if it passes the Senate.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Maine House rejects LePage bill to end state income tax
Republicans backed the governor’s call for an amendment to the Maine Constitution, but Democrats, who control the House, said the move would blow a huge hole in the state’s budget.
Posted inNews, Politics
No take-it-slow start for rookie Maine legislator
Republican Eric Brakey jumps into the fray and sponsors dozens of bills, earning a win on concealed handguns and praise for his hard work and even temperament.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
By peddling tax plan, LePage hopes it has legs
The governor says, “Maine is on a three-legged stool. It’s pretty stable – sit on it (and) it won’t go forward, it won’t go backwards; it doesn’t move. But Maine has to get off that stool and get on a two-wheeled bike so we can pedal into the future and much more prosperity.”