Revenue from levies on alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and gambling have risen sharply in the last five years, and now account for $353 million a year – 7% of the state’s $5.1 billion annual budget.
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 inLocal & State, News
In fight for more housing in Maine, one barrier rises above the rest: Us
The state’s ongoing housing crisis wasn’t caused by one thing, but it has put homeownership out of reach for an entire generation and created ripple effects on the broader economy.
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Posted inLocal & State, Maine Crime, News
South Portland teen gets year of probation on arson charge
The 17-year-old was acquitted last month on separate charges that he plotted to carry out a school shooting.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Four Midcoast newspapers to merge into one publication
Reade Brower, who previously owned the Morning Sentinel, Kennebec Journal and several other daily and weekly newspapers in Maine, is combining the 4 papers he didn’t sell into a single entity.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Maine ends 2024 fiscal year with $93.5 million surplus
Despite the extra revenue, forecasters are expecting a leveling-off of revenues and the Mills administration is urging caution during the next budget discussion.
Posted inElection 2024, Local & State, News, Politics
Here’s the order of 5 Maine ballot questions, including PAC limits, state flag
Maine voters will weigh in on 2 referendum questions and 3 separate bonds totaling $65 million in November, including a question about the design of the state flag.
Posted inElection 2024, Local & State, News, Politics
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will be on the presidential ballot in Maine
The independent candidate gathered 4,800 signatures from registered voters, the Department of the Secretary of State confirmed.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Island communities ask Gov. Mills to intervene to get ferry service back on track
The ferry service to islands in Penobscot Bay has been plagued by cancellations due to staff shortages.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Mills to nominate longtime DHHS deputy commissioner to lead state’s largest department
Sara Gagné-Holmes has been acting commissioner since Jeanne Lambrew stepped down on June 1, but was the department’s No. 2 for five years prior to that.
Posted inElection 2024, Local & State, News, Politics
Maine political scholars see no precedent for divisive, unpredictable presidential race
Although there have been assassination attempts and calls for unpopular incumbents to step aside before, recent political history offers no playbook for how things will go between now and November.