The Pew Charitable Trusts - State and Consumer Initiatives from Maine

After Expanding Coverage, Health Care Pioneer Seeks to Tame Costs

The Affordable Care Act will extend health care coverage to almost everybody. Now states are moving on to the next frontier in health care reform: containing costs. Once again, Massachusetts is taking the lead by putting its health care industry on an annual budget and requiring all insurers and medical providers to make detailed price lists available to the public.

Tanning-Bed Bills Burn With Controversy

Republican governors take different sides on teen tanning.

Election Day Registration in the 2012 General Election

In the eight states — Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, and Wyoming — and the District of Columbia that allow Election Day registration, nearly 1.25 million voters registered or updated their information and cast ballots on Election Day last November.

Northeastern States To Drastically Cut Emissions Cap

Nine Northeastern states will drastically cut the region’s carbon cap under proposed changes to the region’s cap-and- trade program, they announced Thursday.

Maine State of the State Address 2013

AUGUSTA, Maine Feb 5 Following is the prepared text for Gov. Paul LePage's 2013 State of the State Address

America’s Capital of Divided Government

As most states turn redder or bluer, Maine goes bright purple.

College Enrollment Expected to Slip

Maine has struggled to maintain enrollment for years. It could soon have company.

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Maine

How well is Maine protecting kids from tooth decay?

Maine Tax Cuts May Outlive Republican Rule

Democrats won legislative victories campaigning against tax cuts, but may not have the power or inclination to repeal them.

Best of #StateReads: Why New Jersey’s Trains Flooded but New York’s Stayed Dry

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

The Impact of the Fiscal Cliff: Maine

Federal and state finances are closely intertwined, and the fiscal cliff’s tax and spending provisions will have consequences for states.

States Challenge ‘Secret’ Campaign Money

With the rise in undisclosed political spending by non-profit groups, officials in several states are trying to figure where the money is coming from.

Unions Make Strong Showing at the Polls

Labor won big contests in Indiana, California and New Hampshire, while results were mixed in Michigan.

Still Risky: Checking Accounts in Maine

Checking accounts, the most widely used financial product in America, contain hidden risks that can harm consumers. Two of the 12 largest banks nationwide offer checking accounts in Maine and hold 17 percent of all deposits in the state. Here’s what consumers in Maine may be paying.

As Funds Dwindle, Governors Ask for Heating Help

Rising heating costs coupled with increased austerity in Congress could leave many low-income Americans out in the cold this winter, 13 state governors warned this week.

Democrats Seeking Comeback in State Legislatures

Republicans won landslide victories in legislative chambers two years ago. Democrats hope to reverse some of the results in November. In many states, though, it won’t be easy.

As States Debate Medicaid Expansion, Maine Governor Looks to Cut Rolls

Maine Governor Paul LePage appears poised for a head-on collision with the Obama Administration over the issue of Medicaid eligibility. In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s health care ruling last month — the federal government cannot take away existing Medicaid funds to penalize states that refuse to expan

States Loosen Up on Fireworks Laws

In amateur hands, fireworks are as dangerous as ever. But states have a hard time passing up the revenue they bring in.

Widening Gap Update: Maine

Although Maine paid, or exceeded, its full annual pension contribution from 2005 to 2010, the system was 70 percent funded in fiscal year 2010 and faced a $4 billion funding gap.

Battle Against Stalking Escalates

Concerns over in-person and online stalking have led lawmakers to create new orders of protection. But enforcement is often up to the victims and most don’t pursue it.

Public School Alternatives Gather Steam in States

Louisiana gave advocates of charter schools, vouchers and other publicly funded education alternatives everything they could have asked for, but opposition remained fierce elsewhere.

Governor Battles Unions in Maine

Governor Paul LePage recently called Maine’s state workers “about as corrupt as you can be.” They’re not pleased with him, either.

Infographic: A Turning Point for Gay Marriage?

Gay marriage supporters have won big victories in state courts and state capitals in recent years. Now, they’re hoping to extend that success to the ballot box.

Inside Maine's Mouth

Last summer, 29-year-old "Jane," who lives in Portland, had a serious problem involving an "old root canal gone wrong."

AAA Criticizes Higher Fees for Out-of-State E-ZPass Drivers

The national drivers’ group wants tolling agencies to treat E-ZPass users the same, regardless of where they bought their transponders.

Maine Governor LePage Backs Nation's Toughest Medicaid Cuts

AUGUSTA, Maine - The Medicaid program in Maine is short of money, and conservative Governor Paul LePage has a blunt proposal for solving the problem - drop people from the rolls.

Maine State of the State Address 2012

AUGUSTA, Maine - Jan. 24 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Paul LePage's (R) 2012 state of the state and budget address: President Raye, Speaker Nutting, Chief Justice Saufley, members of the 125th Legislature, distinguished guests, and my fellow citizens. I am here t

Proposed Medicaid Cuts Draw Big Protests in Maine

TODAY'S TAKE: Hundreds of protesters packed the State House in Augusta, Maine, to voice their disapproval of a plan by Governor Paul LePage to eliminate Medicaid coverage for 65,000 residents. LePage says the program has grown so much that it has "cannibalized" money meant for other state priorities.

Election Websites: Maine

Being Online Is Still Not Enough provides state-by-state reviews and analysis based on detailed criteria of election websites for all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Motorists Face an 'Avalanche' of Higher Tolls

Toll rates are climbing on highways, bridges and tunnels across the country, but it is not just because of the economy. Many big toll hikes are helping to pay for new construction.

As Michigan Passes Pension Tax, Maine Considers Repealing One

Does a pension tax harm a state's economy? It depends on which governor you ask.

Maine Redistricting Could Sway Presidential Race

TODAY'S TAKE: When Maine redraws the line between its two congressional districts this fall, it might help determine whether President Obama is reelected.

Conservative Budget Becomes Law in All-GOP Maine

TODAY'S TAKE: Maine Governor Paul LePage signed a budget on Monday (June 20) that includes tax cuts, the phasing out of a statewide health care plan and spending cuts in pensions and welfare.

Maine Moves to Loosen Teen Labor Laws

TODAY'S TAKE: The Maine House of Representatives voted largely along party lines to loosen the state's laws governing how much teens can work, which are currently the strictest in New England.

Measuring Transportation Investments: Maine

A May 2011 report, Measuring Transportation Investments: The Road to Results, found considerable differences among the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Children's Dental Health: Maine

Maine meets six of eight policy benchmarks aimed at addressing children’s dental health needs, one more than it met in 2010. The state surpassed the benchmark for the percentage of Medicaid-enrolled children receiving dental services.

LePage Sparks a Child Labor Debate in Maine

Governor Paul LePage thinks letting young people ages 16 and over work longer hours is a good idea. Critics accuse him of seeking to undo labor regulations that have been widely accepted for decades.

When a Pension Overhaul Comes Without Social Security

Every state has at least some public employees who are not allowed to receive Social Security benefits. As states ask workers to contribute more toward their pensions, making workers eligible for Social Security would come with pros and cons.

Connecticut Governor Seeks to Avoid Public Employee Layoffs

MANAGEMENT BEAT: The struggle over public employee concessions in Connecticut ... the prospect of salary cuts in Pennsylvania ... arguments about a pro-worker mural in Maine, and other government management news.

Missouri is Toughest on Crack Cocaine

PUBLIC SAFETY BEAT: Missouri punishes crack dealers more severely than those who sell the powder version of the same drug… Police are stretched thin in one of the nation's most dangerous cities… The Colorado probation agency comes under scrutiny, and other public safety news.

Labor Union Discord Reaches New England

TODAY'S TAKE: Maine's Republican Governor Paul LePage wants public employees to work longer and pay more for their retirement benefits, igniting protests in Augusta resembling those recently seen in the Midwest.

Governors Target Rules at Businesses' Behest

Newly elected Republicans - and some Democrats - have made rethinking regulations a top priority. That has environmentalists and consumer advocates nervous.

Maine State of the State Address 2011

AUGUSTA, Maine - Feb. 10 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Paul LePage's (R) 2011 state of the state and budget address: President Raye, Speaker Nutting, members of the 125th Legislature, and citizens of Maine, thank you for the invitation to discuss our budget submission for the 2012 / 2013 Biennium. It ta

LePage's Regulatory Reversals Stir Debate

ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT BEAT: Maine's governor seeks to relax environmental rules ... New Mexico's Supreme Court rebuffs that state's governor in a climate dispute ... New Jersey approves power plant subsidies, and other energy and environment news.

Two New Governors Cause Early Political Stirs

TODAY'S TAKE: New governors in Alabama and Maine have found themselves at the center of controversy days after taking office as a result of widely publicized comments that offended minority groups.

Christian Health Co-Ops Cater to 'Obamacare' Opponents

Religious groups that help members pay for medical treatment are exempt from key provisions of the new federal health law. As their popularity grows, some state officials are warning consumers to be wary of these unlicensed operators, while others see them as a welcome alternative to traditional health insurance.

LePage Struggles to Fill Maine Cabinet Due to Salary Concerns

TRANSITION WATCH: Maine's governor-elect says top choices for key roles have turned him down, Alaska Governor Sean Parnell promises a fight with the feds over Medicaid funding, and more news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Maine Republican Legislators Contemplate End to Labor Committee

TRANSITION WATCH: Maine Republicans seek to fold historic panel, Connecticut's pension gap gets bigger, and more news of the historic shift in power in the states.

GOP Takes the Reins in Maine

TODAY'S TAKE: Maine is one of two states - along with Wisconsin - that flipped from all-Democratic to all-Republican rule on Election Day. On Wednesday (December 1), the state's new GOP-dominant Legislature begins work.

Pat Quinn Rehires His Old Chief of Staff as an Adviser

TRANSITION WATCH: Jerry Stermer returns three months after he resigned in Illinois, charges of nepotism in South Dakota and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.