Nearly 190,000 borrowers in Maine hold a collective $6.5 billion in student loan debt that the federal government is now taking steps to collect by garnishing tax returns and Social Security benefits, among other possible moves.
Politics
Local, statewide and national political news from the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine bill would make oil companies pay into ‘climate superfund’
Similar climate superfunds in Vermont and New York, which impose fees on fossil fuel extractors and crude oiler refiners for greenhouse emissions, are being challenged in court by the Trump administration and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
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Posted inLocal & State, New England, News, Politics
Janet Mills, other Northeast governors invite Canadian premiers to meet on tariffs and trade
The summit, a response to President Donald Trump’s aggressive stance on U.S.-Canada relations, would be held in Boston at a date to be determined.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Former Gov. LePage announces run for Congress in Maine’s 2nd District
The Republican, who served 2 terms as governor and later mounted an unsuccessful bid for a third, will seek the seat currently held by Democratic Rep. Jared Golden.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, Politics
Trump administration seeks to expand offshore oil and gas drilling, including in Gulf of Maine
The Department of the Interior also moved to speed up permitting for a range of energy sources, primarily fossil fuels.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Life & Culture, Local & State, News, Politics
Maine arts organizations face sudden loss of federal grants
The National Endowment for the Arts notified institutions in Maine and across the country late Friday night that their grants were being terminated.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
AmeriCorps cuts will hurt Maine communities, volunteers say
The loss of $400 million in grants to programs across the country puts at risk the service of more than 120 participants in Maine. Now they’re asking, ‘Why are we under attack?’
Posted inNews, Politics
Maine voter ID proposal runs into strong opposition at public hearing
At a public hearing Friday, critics highlighted a range of proposed changes likely to go before voters in November, including restrictions on absentee voting.
Posted inLocal & State, Nation & World, Politics
Susan Collins cites ‘serious objections’ to Trump’s budget, plans ‘aggressive’ hearing schedule
She is among several Republican senators who criticized the president’s proposal for military spending Friday, as well as proposed cuts to non-military programs.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics, Schools and Education
Maine settles lawsuit against USDA over $3 million in school funds
The Department of Agriculture agreed it will not interfere with Maine school funding based on alleged Title IX violations without following the proper procedure, according to a settlement announced Friday.