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News and notes
Maine is part of a trend that could worsen inflation if it grows.
— I'm talking about the $850 stimulus checks that have now mostly gone out to nearly 860,000 Mainers, which originated with legislative Republicans and was cribbed by Mills. It comes alongside similar programs in other states intended to offset effects of inflation. California's $17 billion package is the most notable.
— One analyst tells Axios the state-level programs have likely had a negligible effect, but if most states did them, they would make inflation harder to control nationally. The flip side is that throwing generally robust state surpluses at other things — like construction projects — could also worsen supply issues.
— Mills and LePage have divided on the relief checks, with the former governor calling them inflationary. He has suggested suspending the gas tax, an idea that the conservative Tax Foundation has said would also exacerbate inflation if done across the U.S. economy. The truth is that Maine alone cannot do much to tamp down or worsen inflation, but it can be part of trends that do.
Polling from Texas could provide clues on how a gun bill plays in Maine.
— Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, took only a mild hit in his state after rankling the base by negotiating the bipartisan gun, mental health and school safety bill that passed Congress last month, Morning Consult found. His approval dropped from 67 percent to 61 percent among Republicans after the passage.
— The two candidates in Maine's 2nd Congressional District have divided on the measure, with Democratic Rep. Jared Golden backing it and former Rep. Bruce Poliquin opposing it alongside House Republican leaders. Golden is insulated from fallout by the gun-rights Sportsman's Alliance of Maine and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, also backing the bill. But if the Texas polling is an indicator, the political consequences are minor so far. |
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What we're reading
— Mills issued an order on Tuesday blocking Maine from aiding conservative states in criminal prosecutions of abortion. She also plans to block extradition attempts from other states for charges related to abortion, putting the state in line to join other Democratic-led ones to institute further protections.
— High gas prices stunted Maine tourism on a July 4 weekend marked by near-perfect weather. Travel was only slightly up from a rainy 2021. Gains were concentrated along the New Hampshire border but did not hold up the coast.
— But Maine airports dodged the worst of summer travel nightmares. The Portland International Jetport saw just over 3 percent of flights canceled over the long weekend, nearly in line with its normal figure.
— Fatal drug overdoses in Portland this year have already surpassed the 2021 figure, in line with a statewide increase underscoring the effects of fentanyl.
— Regulators approved an upgrade to the Central Maine Power Co. system serving the Brunswick area that will save ratepayers $8.5 million over 40 years by using battery storage and efficiency measures, Maine Public reported. |
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| Hannah Marsh of Old Town and Jordin Williams of Brewer practice at Penobscot Ice Arena in Brewer on Thursday. They are members of the Penobscot Pioneers, a co-op girls varsity ice hockey team that will be the first ever in the Bangor region. (BDN photo by Linda Coan O'Kresik) |
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| 📷 Lead photo: Former Gov. Paul LePage talks to reporters during a stop at the Holden Police Department on Friday. (BDN photo by Linda Coan O'Kresik) |
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