Maine

May 23, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today visited Aroostook County for the fourth time since the area was hit by severe flooding earlier this month.

“It takes time for communities to recover from a natural disaster,” Governor Baldacci said. “The process has begun, but it’s far from over. All of Maine wants to make sure the folks hurt by the flooding know that we will not forget their struggles and stand ready to help.”

Today Governor Baldacci visited Fort Kent, Soldier Pond, Wallagrass, Portage and Island Falls during the trip. On Tuesday, the governor visited flood-damaged areas in Penobscot County.    » read more »

May 21, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today celebrated the signing of LD 2048, "An Act to Protect Children's Health and the Environment from Toxic Chemicals in Toys and Children's Products.” The Governor commended House Majority Leader Representative Hannah Pingree for her continued leadership in the area consumer product safety.

“Thanks to the partnership developed between the Administration, our Legislative leadership and dedicated advocates, Maine is a leader in protecting our children from harmful chemicals,” said Governor Baldacci.

The Governor said that encouraging the use of safer chemicals that provide increased protection to human health and the environment supports innovation and economic opportunity.    » read more »

May 21, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today ceremonially signed LD 2019, “An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Governor’s Task Force on Passenger Rail Funding.” The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Boyd Marley (D-Portland), was at the ceremony, as were cosponsors and supporters of the legislation.

Train tracks, Maine: Photo by Sue (CC)

“Long before near-$4 a gallon gas prices, I joined with rail advocates to support extending our rail system for both passenger and freight in Maine,” Governor Baldacci said. “Rail is an increasingly viable option – in economic and environmental terms.”    » read more »

May 21, 2008 -- Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, today announced that the Committee approved S. 2555, “The Reducing Global Warming Pollution from Vehicles Act of 2008,” a bill that instructs the President to sign the California waiver so that California and other states can proceed with laws to improve air quality problems from cars.

On December 19, 2007, EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson denied California’s request for the waiver – the first time in history that EPA had ever denied outright a request from California for a waiver to do more to cut air pollution.    » read more »

Requests Public Assistance for Additional Areas

May 13, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci on Friday sent an additional request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) seeking public assistance covering Aroostook, Knox, Lincoln, Piscataquis, Somerset and Waldo Counties.

On Friday, President Bush signed a major disaster declaration for Aroostook County as a result of the record flooding that struck the County two weeks ago.

FEMA and the State have conducted preliminary damage assessments to roads and other public infrastructure in several Maine counties including Aroostook. As a result of these assessments, the Governor is pursuing additional assistance that may be made available for local governments.    » read more »

May 2, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci has formally requested expedited federal assistance to assist the State in responding to the major disaster resulting from the record breaking flooding in Aroostook County. The letter to the President and FEMA notes that the severe rain storms, snow melt and flooding began April 28 and is continuing.

Car caught in a flood: Photo by Chris (CC)    » read more »

April 29, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci this evening has declared a State of Emergency for Aroostook County.

Severe storms, combined with snow on the ground, have created dangerous flooding conditions in Aroostook County, and particularly in the Fort Kent and Wallagrass areas.

“The National Weather Service is predicting that parts of Aroostook County could be hit by record flooding,” Governor Baldacci said. “The Maine Emergency Management Agency and my office are monitoring the situation and working closely with local emergency management officials to protect public safety.”    » read more »

April 22, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – In remembrance and honor of Spc. William Charles Koelsch III, Governor John E. Baldacci has directed that the United States flag and the State of Maine flag be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset Thursday, April 24, 2008.

Spc. Koelsch died in a training accident at Fort Polk, Louisiana, earlier this month. He served with the 509th Infantry (Airborne).

Visiting hours for Spc. Koelsch are from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, April 23 and a funeral service is planned for 11 a.m., Thursday, April 24. The visiting hours and the funeral service will be held at Lary Funeral Home, 31 Elm Street in Milo.

Source: Maine Governor

April 22, 2008 -- The Maine State Foreclosure Prevention Working Group, a group of state attorneys general and banking regulators working to prevent home foreclosures, issued a report Tuesday concluding that efforts have increased but are falling far short of the need to address the foreclosure crisis and prevent millions of unnecessary foreclosures.

Unused house, Maine: Photo by The B's (CC)    » read more »

April 18, 2008 -- State Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman announced that the preliminary seasonally-adjusted March unemployment rate for Maine was 5.1 percent, equal to the national March rate of 5.1 percent.

“The Maine and national unemployment rates moved upward in March, both rising from 4.8 percent for February to 5.1 percent for March,” said Commissioner Fortman.

Sunrise at Portland Head Lighthouse, Maine: Photo by Ian Britton (CC)

“Labor market trends in Maine are mirroring national trends; unemployment is rising as economic activity slows.”    » read more »

April 17, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today signed LD 1697, An Act To Ensure Fair Wages. The bill raises the minimum wage from the current $7 an hour to $7.25 on Oct. 1, 2008. On Oct. 1, 2009, the minimum wage will increase to $7.50 an hour.

McDonald's employees: Photo by The Consumerist (CC)

“We need to make sure we do everything we can to reward work,” said Governor Baldacci. “Maine men and women should be able to earn a living wage so they can support their families. There is no safety net better than a job with benefits.”    » read more »

April 16, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today signed LD 648, An Act To Maintain the Amount of State Land That Is Open for Hunting. The bill ensures that the number of total acres of land open to hunting on public reserved lands and lands owned and managed by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife does not fall below the acreage available for hunting as of Jan. 1, 2008.

Moose hunters: Photo by timbu (CC)    » read more »

April 16, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today signed LD 2247, An Act to Continue Maine’s Leadership in Covering the Uninsured. The bill seeks to contain rising costs of insurance and will enable DirigoChoice to expand enrollment after the bill becomes law.    » read more »

April 15, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today ceremonially signed LD 2126, An Act To Minimize Carbon Dioxide Emissions from New Coal-Powered Industrial and Electrical Generating Facilities in the State. Bill sponsor Rep. W. Bruce MacDonald (D-Boothbay) was in the Governor’s Office for the ceremony, as were other co-sponsors and supporters of the legislation.

A coal-fired power plant: Photo by Steev Hise (CC)    » read more »

April 14, 2008 -- (AUGUSTA)— Seven Maine school systems are being recognized by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for taking steps towards improved energy efficiency and reducing their carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to climate change. Friday, April 18th at Noon, Lewiston High School, East Avenue    » read more »