$3.5M in loans to help older Mainers pay property taxes
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine’s governor says the state will use $3.5 million in federal money to provide loans to help older residents pay property taxes. Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, said Wednesday the loans will cover annual property tax bills for some residents who are unable to pay them and are age 65 and older or are permanently disabled. The loans would have to be repaid once the property is sold or becomes part of an estate.
Maine can require refunds for canceled cable, court says
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A federal appeals court has revived a Maine law that requires refunds for customers who cancel cable service. Maine’s law makes cable companies refund some customers who cancel accounts before the end of the month. Members of the telecommunications industry argued the proposal was preempted by federal law. The Bangor Daily News reports the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston reversed a lower court’s ruling on Tuesday. The court found that Maine’s law does not constitute an unlawful state regulation of cable rates.
Portland, Maine, ends emergency order, worker hazard pay
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s largest city has repealed an emergency order related to the COVID-19 pandemic that triggered increased hazard pay for workers. The Portland City Council voted on Monday to rescind the order, which had been in place since August. The order required the council to meet remotely during the pandemic. Portland has a city ordinance that the minimum wage is increased by 1.5 times when a state or city emergency order is in place. The removal of the emergency order means minimum wage will go from $19.50 to $13 on Jan. 13.
OVERDOSES-MAINE CITY
Police in Maine city see surge in overdoses since holiday
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Police in Maine’s largest city say they’ve responded to a rising number of drug overdoses since late December. Portland police said Monday they’ve responded to two fatal overdoses and 21 non-fatal overdoses since Dec. 24. They said first responders or bystanders administered Narcan in 14 of the overdoses. Police say they responded to nine non-fatal overdoses and no fatal ones during the same time period a year ago. They said they’re calling on city residents to be aware of Narcan and other harm reduction methods that are available.
POLICE DOG ATTACK-SETTLEMENT
Man who sued over police dog use receives $325K settlement
YORK, Maine (AP) — A man who filed a federal lawsuit that said a police officer violated his constitutional rights by using a police dog during a traffic stop has received a $325,000 settlement in the case. Stephen Brennan sued the town of York and the police officer after the traffic stop in September 2019. The Portsmouth Herald reported the settlement Tuesday. An attorney for Brennan says his client suffered multiple injuries as a result of dog bites, and they required months of follow up treatment.
WHARF PURCHASE
Sale of historic Maine wharf finalized; preservation planned
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The parties behind the sale and preservation of a historic wharf in Maine say the sale has been finalized. Gulf of Maine Research Institute in Portland said in November that it would buy Union Wharf, which dates to the 18th century. The institute and the owners of the wharf said Tuesday they’ve finalized the sale and transfer of ownership. The parties did not disclose the terms of the sale. The owners and managers of the wharf said in November they chose the research institute because it plans to preserve it as part of Portland’s working waterfront.
BULL MOOSE MUSIC
Maine-based music retailer Bull Moose sold to employees
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The longtime Maine-based music retailer Bull Moose is being sold to its 140 employees. The Portland Press Herald reports the store said in a news release Tuesday that founder Brett Wickard will stay on as interim CEO and chair of the board during the transition. The chain has 11 locations in Maine and New Hampshire. Wickard opened the first store in Brunswick in 1989 when he was a student at Bowdoin College. The newspaper reported that all locations of the store were closed Monday at 6 p.m. for a company meeting.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-PRISONERS-UNEMPLOYMENT PAY
Panel to weigh in on lawsuit over inmates’ jobless benefits
BOSTON (AP) — A federal appeals is weighing a lawsuit brought by Maine prison inmates who were denied unemployment benefits for work-release jobs they lost in the pandemic. The 53 prisoners who lost nearly $200,000 in unemployment benefits contend they were denied due process when the governor ruled without a hearing that they were not entitled to the benefit. The governor contended the payments were “bad public policy.” The U.S. 1st Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments Monday as the prisoners appeal the dismissal of the lawsuit.