WASHINGTON — Finally revealing their positions on the House floor, Maine’s Democratic House members split their votes on a landmark agreement to cut spending and raise the debt ceiling that cleared the House on Monday night and now is headed for a Senate vote.

Pingree, of the 1st District, votes against the deal, while Michaud, representing the 2nd District, votes yes.

Democratic Reps. Pingree and Michaud, and Republican Sens. Snowe and Collins all say they need to study the deal’s details before taking a position.

The potential deal taking shape, according to Capitol Hill sources, could include $1 trillion in immediate spending cuts, paired with about $1.8 trillion later.

WASHINGTON — The heaviest trucks rumbling through Maine would be allowed back on all Maine interstates under legislation to be announced today by U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe.

Currently, trucks weighing more than 80,000 pounds are restricted to secondary roads except for the Maine Turnpike from Kittery to Augusta.

The deal comes after months of negotiations and some fears about potential defense cutbacks.

Mayor Larry Gilbert says the arrival of about 5,000 immigrants, mostly from Somalia, has brought “new life and energy,” but also tells senators that the federal government should do more to help cities absorb the newcomers.

The work stoppage – stemming from a battle over federal subsidies to small airports, including four in Maine – isn’t affecting the major expansion project elsewhere at the Jetport.

WASHINGTON – Despite reports of “closed” signs, there are still signs of life left in the commissary at the former Brunswick Naval Air Station, say Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins. The Maine Republicans said in a statement this afternoon that they have received confirmation from the Department of Defense that no decision has been […]