The Appropriations Committee also opts not to cut $2.4 million from higher education.

AUGUSTA — The Maine House on Thursday narrowly passed a bill that will slash the state income tax in half over time.

AUGUSTA — The Maine House on Thursday narrowly passed a bill that will slash the state income tax in half over time.

AUGUSTA — A legislative committee took no action on a controversial labor bill Wednesday, avoiding a recorded vote on a measure that would have removed the requirement that state employees pay a portion of union dues, even if they are not union members.

AUGUSTA — A proposed overhaul of Maine schools that could include the elimination of age-based grade levels failed in the House on Wednesday after a spirited debate, but a top LePage administration official hopes to revive it in the Senate.

AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage’s streak of 16 consecutive vetoes with no overrides ended Wednesday when the Maine Senate voted 35-0 to uphold a bill that requires state agencies to seek federal funds for schools.

AUGUSTA — A proposed overhaul of Maine schools that could include the elimination of age-based grade levels failed in the House on Wednesday after a spirited debate, but a top LePage administration official hopes to revive it in the Senate.

The legislation, L.D. 1422, is a key part of reforms proposed by the LePage administration. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.