Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

A bill that would have eased restrictions put in place last year for those who retire and return to work died in the House and Senate this week.

With little fanfare or debate, the measure was voted "ought not to pass" or, as the online bill tracking system puts it:  "Placed in the Legislative Files. (DEAD)"

Sen. Dawn Hill, D-Cape Neddick, said earlier this year that she was concerned that teachers were getting hurt by the new restrictions because they could only make 75 percent of what the position pays if they retire and come back. The teachers union argues that in at least some cases, widows are forced to come back to work after their husband dies because they can't make it financially.

In the end, Republicans started pulling away, saying they wanted to wait to judge the impact of the change put in place last fall. It's really meant to target superintendents and their much larger salaries, not teachers. If you haven't seen it yet, you can check out our double-dipping database to see which state workers and educators have retired to collect their pensions and come back work to earn a salary.

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Open Season targets all of Maine's political wildlife, from Portland city government to the donkeys, elephants and independents stalking the Statehouse and U.S. Capitol.

John Richardson joined the Press Herald in 1990 after working as a reporter in New Jersey. He has covered a variety of beats, including marine issues, the environment and health care. He is now covering politics and focusing on Maine's U.S. Senate race.
John can be reached at 791-6324 or jrichardson@pressherald.com
On Twitter: @jrichmaine

Colin Woodard has covered politics and elections for more than two decades, from Bosnia and Bucharest to Washington, D.C., Augusta, and Portland City Hall. He has written for a wide range of national and international publications and is the author of four books, including "American Nations," a history of North America's regional cultures. He joined the Portland Press Herald at the end of April and covers political finance and lobbying, among other things.
Colin can be reached at 791-6317 or cwoodard@pressherald.com

Susan Cover has covered Maine politics for 10 years and worked in Kansas, Ohio and Rhode Island as a reporter. This year, she is focusing on covering the same-sex marriage debate for MaineToday Media.
Susan can be reached at 621-5643 or scover@mainetoday.com

Michael Shepherd joined MaineToday Media in May 2012 after graduating from the University of Maine in Orono, where he edited The Maine Campus, the student newspaper there. Until November he'll be writing the Truth Test, a recurring feature analyzing political statements and advertising.
Michael can be reached at 621-5632 or mshepherd@mainetoday.com

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