Press Herald - Monday was the deadline for party candidates in state and federal races to submit enough signatures to get on the ballot, and the race for Maine governor just got a little less crowded — voters will see five Democrats and eight Republicans on their ballots in the June 9 primaries. In the 1st District, U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree won’t face a Democratic primary challenger after all, while Maine's U.S. Senate race will feature four candidates.
Maine lawmakers could soon vote on a plan to create a nearly $88 million contingency fund for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program after last fall’s record federal government shutdown temporarily froze food stamp benefits. But any decision on the proposal from House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, D-Biddeford, tied to the federal program that helps about 175,000 Mainers, could run into budget constraints.
A survey of more than 1,000 Portland residents conducted late last year shows that while most people are happy with core city services like public safety and trash pickup, there is broad concern about the city’s overall affordability. The results of the community survey suggest that residents are generally pleased with city services but are worried about the ongoing trends of expensive housing and rising taxes.