It is not the boldness of the reforms that is troubling about LD 1496, the set of tax reforms proposed by the so-called “Gang of 11” and its principal architect, Yarmouth independent Sen. Richard Woodbury. It is the breadth of the legislation. The number of moving parts (proposed changes) in the Woodbury proposals, each with […]
Portland Forecaster
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Posted inCoastal Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Forecaster Forum: Putting aside politics to reform Maine's tax code
What happens when one independent, five Democrats and five Republicans decide to leave their politics at the door in the name of Maine’s well being? A chance at real and meaningful reform is created. By now you have probably heard a good deal about the so-called “Gang of 11,” the bipartisan group of legislators who […]
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Posted inForecaster Opinion, Portland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Superintendent's Notebook: Portland schools encourage students to commute by foot, pedal
They picked the prettiest day of spring for National Bike and Walk to School Day on May 8. Hundreds of children in the Portland Public Schools participated, and so did I. Our district is promoting biking and walking as one of several initiatives to encourage sustainability. I began my day by biking to the Portland […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, Portland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Letter: Congress Square Plaza column ignored facts
If Marian McCue’s Forecaster Forum about Congress Square Plaza appeared 30 years ago, it would have been on target. Today it is an opinion based on lack of facts. The plaza was established to replace a rundown section patronized by alcoholics, drug addicts, and drug dealers with a gathering for area residents, a neighborhood rest […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Traffic pattern changing on Spring Street in Portland
PORTLAND — Starting next week and continuing into the fall, Spring Street in front of the Cumberland County Civic Center will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Vehicles traveling in both directions will be routed to the eastbound lanes (south side of the median), away from the Civic Center construction zone, according to […]
Posted inCoastal Journal, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Falmouth Spur turnpike ramps to close Monday
FALMOUTH — The Maine Turnpike Authority will close both southbound ramps connecting to the Falmouth Spur on Monday, May 13, to continue rehabilitating the Exit 52 interchange bridge, which carries Falmouth Spur traffic over the turnpike. The MTA, in a press release Friday, said the closures are needed so construction crews can safely raise the […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
South Portland High School graduate remembered as kind, ambitious
SOUTH PORTLAND — Kim Lim, a 2010 South Portland High School graduate and University of Southern Maine junior, died April 28 in a hiking accident in the Philippines. In a news release, USM President Theodora Kalikow said Lim, 20, was studying at Sogang University in South Korea. He went with friends to hike near Tappiya […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Debate over Portland plaza moves to neighborhoods
PORTLAND — While a City Council committee mulls a new plan for using public space in Congress Square, the plan’s backers and opponents will square off in two neighborhood meetings this week. Representatives of RockBridge Capital LLC and New Castle Hotels & Resorts, owners of the adjacent Eastland Park Hotel, presented the design – the […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Calendar puts Portland's 1st day of school, Jewish New Year in conflict
PORTLAND — Jewish students in the city’s public schools will have to choose between attending the first day of school in September and worshipping on the Jewish New Year. Jewish community leaders said they have been playing catch-up since the School Board approved the 2013-2014 school calendar in April. They said they don’t understand why […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Portland school budget cuts up to 49 jobs, now goes to voters
PORTLAND — After a sometimes emotional, contentious public hearing, the City Council on Monday approved the fiscal-year 2014 school budget and sent it to a voter referendum next Tuesday, May 14. The $96.4 million budget calls for eliminating as many as 49 positions, and is based on raising the portion of property taxes that fund […]