Maine

June 2, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins (R-Maine) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration has awarded $3,736,695 to Maine for airport projects in the state.

"These Department of Transportation funds will address major infrastructure and safety issues at airports of all sizes in Maine," Senators Snowe and Collins said. "Maintaining runway safety and improving airport services will keep Mainers connected and safe."

The funds are distributed as follows:

§ $130,000 to the Town of Jackman- This grant will support the rehabilitation of an airport beacon and a phase of obstruction removal at Newton Field Airport in Jackman.    » read more »

June 2, 2009 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today ceremonially signed LD 389, “An Act to Facilitate the State's Existing Commitment to the Production of Liquid Biofuels.” Representative Steven Butterfield (D-Bangor), sponsor of the legislation, attended today’s bill signing.

The bill continues the State’s efforts to encourage the development and use of sustainable biofuels through the existing tool of the Clean Fuel Vehicle Fund. In addition, the Secretary of State may develop and administer an online, voluntary way for people to contribute to the Fund.    » read more »

May 28, 2009 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci has signed the State budget for fiscal years 2009, 2010 and 2011.

“Today’s circumstances place demands on the Legislature that we haven’t seen in generations,” Governor Baldacci said. “From the first deliberation of the budget back during the winter to the final days of negotiations, there was every opportunity for Maine to become divided by self-interest and partisanship.

"But instead of giving into the path that has lured many of our colleagues in other States to gridlock and stalemate, Democrats and Republicans – conservatives and liberals, and folks in the middle – came together to pass a State budget that is fair, reasonable and responsible.”    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today ceremonially signed LD 66, An Act To Amend Maine’s Endangered and Threatened Species List by Removing the Bald Eagle. The bill was ceremonially signed during a ceremony at Capitol Park with Lawrence the Bald Eagle present.

“When you look at this bald eagle, you really get a sense of strength, awe and beauty,” Governor Baldacci said. “Those characteristics are a perfect representation of this great country.”

Bill sponsor Sen. Bruce Bryant (D-Oxford) was in Capitol Park for the ceremony, as was his brother and co-sponsor, Rep. Mark Bryant (D-Windham), and a number of supporters of the legislation.    » read more »

May 22, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins (R-Maine) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $712,655 for essential projects in Maine.

"Rail and aviation infrastructure are critical components of our transportation system," Senators Snowe and Collins said in a joint statement. "Funding from the Department of Transportation will allow these recipient communities to make much-needed improvements to their facilities, thereby increasing the safety and quality of their services."

The funding will be distributed as follows:    » read more »

May 25, 2009 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci issued the following statement today on Memorial Day.

“This weekend, we honor the memory and the sacrifice of military men and women who have died in service to the United States of America. This grateful nation hasn’t forgotten the millions of Americans who have fought to protect our country and its freedoms, and we never will. Some of those soldiers have paid the ultimate sacrifice while protecting this nation and our hearts go out to their families and friends.

“We must also remember that brave men and women continue to serve their country in war zones around the world. Every day, they do their duty. I am humbled by their dedication and commitment.    » read more »

May 15, 2009 -- ORONO – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today kicked off the inaugural Maine High School Wind Blade Challenge at the University of Maine.

Eighteen high schools from around Maine have been working for two months to research designs and produce wind blades for the competition. The schools created a total of 31 teams to work with a kit of composite resources to produce the blades. The teams all gathered at the University of Maine Fieldhouse this morning to test the blades and determine the winner of the competition.    » read more »

May 15, 2009 -- AUGUSTA – Florida Governor John E. Baldacci today announced a Federal grant totaling more than $2.1 million to assist communities impacted by spring flooding that began April 28, 2008. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery aid will provide valuable resources to about 96 municipalities across the seven counties affected by the flooding that began on April 28, 2008.    » read more »

May 13, 2009 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci has nominated two people to the Board of Environmental Protection.

The Governor has nominated for reappointment Elizabeth Ehrenfeld of Falmouth. He also nominated as a new appointee Franklin E. Woodard of Falmouth.

“The Board of Environmental Protection is charged with important tasks that help ensure that Maine’s valuable natural resources and environment are protected for future generations,” said Governor Baldacci. “These nominees bring unique experience and knowledge to the Board and are committed to ensuring that the public has a strong voice in Department decisions.”    » read more »

May 7, 2009 -- AUGUSTA – Maine’s first probable H1N1 case requiring hospitalization was identified late Thursday afternoon.

Dr. Dora Anne Mills of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention said the patient is a young adult from Cumberland County with underlying chronic illness and is one of two newly identified H1N1 patients in Maine, the other being a student who attends Bridgton Academy.    » read more »

May 6, 2009 -- AUGUSTA – The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention identified three new cases of the H1N1 influenza, bringing the total number of identified cases in the State to 10. Newly identified cases include a child in Cumberland County, and one adult in both York and Kennebec Counties.

Totals as of Wednesday, May 6, are as follows: five in York County (four adults, one child); three adults in Kennebec County; and one child each in Cumberland County and Penobscot County. Four of the five York County cases have been confirmed by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and half of the 10 people in Maine with H1N1 have a history of travel.    » read more »

May 3, 2009 -- AUGUSTA – The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention today has identified a new adult in York County as having the H1N1 influenza, bringing the State total to seven.

Totals as of Sunday, May 3: Two adults in Kennebec County, three adults and one youth in York County, and one youth in Penobscot County. All are recovering.

“We are continuing to examine the specific facts around these cases,” said Dr. Dora Anne Mills, Director of the Maine CDC. “None of the individuals have been hospitalized and all are recovering. Our goal remains to slow the spread of H1N1 influenza and to protect public health.”

In addition, Maine CDC continues to closely monitor guidance for mitigating the spread of H1N1 that is being developed by the U.S. CDC.    » read more »

May 2, 2009 -- AUGUSTA – The first shipments of antiviral drugs and protective equipment released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began arriving in Maine early today.

The materials were distributed by the Maine National Guard to nine regional medical facilities around the State, which will distribute the supplies to other hospitals as needed. According to U.S. CDC directives, the antiviral drugs received today are intended to treat only persons considered seriously ill and who are hospitalized.

The shipments included antiviral drugs, protective masks, gloves and other medical equipment.

On Wednesday, April 29, Maine ordered a significant stockpile of antiviral drugs. Those shipments will begin arriving in the State as early as Tuesday, May 5.    » read more »

Application for Part 1 of Maine's State Stabilization Funds Approved Today

April 28, 2009 -- U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that nearly $130 million is now available for Maine under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This funding will lay the foundation for a generation of education reform and help save hundreds of thousands of teaching jobs at risk of state and local budget cuts. Maine will be eligible to apply for another $63.8 million this fall. Today's funding is being made available per Maine's successful completion of Part 1 of the State Stabilization Application, which was made available April 1.    » read more »

April 26, 2009 -- AUGUSTA – In response to confirmed cases of people infected with swine influenza (swine flu) in several states and Mexico, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) in the Department of Health and Human Services has been working closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to increase tracking of influenza in Maine, including swine flu, and to make preparations to minimize its impact.

“We have seen a decrease in seasonal influenza in Maine these past few weeks, and have not detected any swine flu yet,” said Dr. Dora Anne Mills, the Director of the Maine CDC. “However, with this outbreak spreading, it is likely we will see it in Maine. Our goal is to minimize its impact.”    » read more »