Report says Maine could save $1 billion

A nonprofit calls for bringing costs in line with the national averages for health care, corrections and welfare

State could save $1 billion, new report says

 A report released today says government could save $1 billion a year if spending were cut to national and rural averages.  Envision Maine, a nonpartisan think tank, released a report called “Reinventing Maine Government,” which compares spending in Maine to other comparable rural states. In areas such as K-12 education, welfare and Medicaid, and corrections, […]

Mitchell proposes natural gas lines to Augusta, Waterville

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Libby Mitchell today unveiled a six-point plan on energy and the environment in a speech to young professionals in Bangor. The plan proposes to create a public/private partnership to run natural gas lines to Augusta and Waterville, something Mitchell described as a “bridge” to help reduce the cost of energy while renewable […]

Mitchell campaign’s internal poll shows gap closing

The Libby Mitchell for Governor campaign released an internal poll Friday that shows the race is much tighter than other recent polls would suggest. The poll — paid for by the Mitchell campaign — puts Republican Paul LePage at 38 percent, Mitchell at 34 percent, independent Eliot Cutler at 10 percent, independent Shawn Moody at […]

‘Cutler Files’ website focus of ethics probe

The independent’s campaign faults the anonymous site, saying it violates state laws against ‘express advocacy.’

Issues Forum: Four hopefuls outline their plans on ways to stimulate businesses in Maine

SACO – Four of the candidates for governor on the Nov. 2 ballot shared their plans for their first 100 days in office Wednesday at a forum sponsored by the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Democrat Libby Mitchell said she would merge the State Planning Office and the Department of Economic and Community Development […]

New poll has LePage at 45 percent

Democrat Libby Mitchell is at 27 percent and independent Eliot Cutler 14 percent.

Gubernatorial candidates stake positions on tax credits, conserving land

BANGOR — Four of Maine’s candidates for governor took gentle jabs at each other Tuesday night during a forum focused on Maine’s quality of place. In particular, independent Eliot Cutler and Democrat Libby Mitchell clashed on tax, spending and regulatory issues. Independents Kevin Scott and Shawn Moody participated as well, but Republican Paul LePage did […]

Clean election funds still being paid

AUGUSTA – Clean election matching funds — which go to Democrat Libby Mitchell and most legislative candidates — will continue to be paid despite a court challenge. A federal judge last week denied a request for a temporary restraining order that would have put a stop to the funds. A request for a preliminary injunction […]

From the awws of defeat

AUGUSTA – The nine Democrats and Republicans no longer running for governor have not wasted any time pining about what might have been had they won their parties’ nominations three months ago.

They’re relaunching once-dormant websites, raising money for their political parties and settling back into more normal lives now that the demands of their campaigns have subsided. And some are looking toward a political future in that coy “I’m not ruling anything out” sort of way.