Archives for "March, 2010"
Maine’s Supplemental Budget takes a Responsible Approach
After two months of work, on Monday night (2.22.10), the house appropriations committee voted to unanimously approve Maine’s supplemental budget. Thanks to new revenues from the 2009 federal stimulus bill and a newer companion measure that together will directly infuse $114 million into the state budget (both of which had the support of Maine’s U.S. [...]
New Federal Money Helps Fill Maine’s Budget Gap
Thanks to the U.S. Senate passing legislation that will extend enhanced federal medicaid assistance to the states, Governor Baldacci has outlined about $94 million in proposed budget restorations. Maine’s U.S. Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, as well as U.S. Representatives Michael Michaud and Chellie Pingree all voted in favor of this federal action. According [...]
Times Record Says “Maine Can Do Better”
Great editorial in the Times Record this Thursday: “Yes, it’s good news that a $50 million improvement in state revenues and a $28 million Medicaid windfall allowed Gov. John Baldacci a week ago to lower the state’s budget shortfall by some $78 million. And on Wednesday, the state budget picture brightened even more with the [...]
Maine Can Do Better Reacts to Proposed Supplemental Budget Changes
On March 3rd, Governor Baldacci announced changes to his proposed supplemental budget. While many news reports focused on the restoration of cuts, few focused on the $360 million cuts that still remain. After deep analysis of the supplemental budget changes, it’s clear to Maine Can Do Better that, despite the positive changes, filling the remaining [...]
New Report Reveals a Need for Balanced Budget Solutions
Portland, Maine — The Maine Can Do Better Coalition, a coalition of more than 150 organizations from across Maine, praised the annual report by the Maine Economic Growth Council (MEGC), saying it should serve as a wake up call for Maine legislators. In their report, “Measures of Growth in Focus”, the MEGC echoed Maine Can [...]