AUGUSTA — State Treasurer Bruce Poliquin asked pointed questions Friday about meal and travel expenses incurred by the executive director of the Maine Municipal Bond Bank, a quasi-state agency that borrows money on behalf of cities and towns across the state.

AUGUSTA — State Treasurer Bruce Poliquin asked pointed questions Friday about meal and travel expenses incurred by the executive director of the Maine Municipal Bond Bank, a quasi-state agency that borrows money on behalf of cities and towns across the state.

AUGUSTA — Rep. Lance Harvell told fellow lawmakers Thursday that they will hear “a giant sucking sound” this spring once people realize how expensive it’s going to be to comply with the state’s Uniform Building and Energy Code.

AUGUSTA — Rep. Lance Harvell told fellow lawmakers Thursday that they will hear “a giant sucking sound” this spring once people realize how expensive it’s going to be to comply with the state’s Uniform Building and Energy Code.

AUGUSTA — Republicans, Democrats and the only independent in the Maine House are backing a renewed effort to reject a federal identification program that some consider too invasive.

A bill sponsored by Rep. Ben Chipman, D-Portland, seeks repeal of parts of Maine law that comply with the federal Real ID Act.

AUGUSTA — State lawmakers must find $120,000 to maintain funding for three scientists who inspect shellfish beds, which are critical to Maine’s $20 million-a-year shellfish industry, Sen. Lois Snowe-Mello, R-Poland, said Tuesday.

AUGUSTA — State lawmakers must find $120,000 to maintain funding for three scientists who inspect shellfish beds, which are critical to Maine’s $20 million-a-year shellfish industry, Sen. Lois Snowe-Mello, R-Poland, said Tuesday.

AUGUSTA — The Legislature’s Taxation Committee has unanimously rejected Gov. Paul LePage’s proposal to change the way cities and towns receive state money, the committee’s Senate chair said Monday.

AUGUSTA — More than two dozen firefighters testified at the State House on Monday against a proposed cut in the state’s contribution to the retiree health plan that covers municipal first responders.