Staff photo by Joe Phelan
Gov. John Baldacci discusses his curtailment order during a Friday afternoon press conference in his State House office in Augusta. ordered Maine state departments Friday to curtail spending by $63 million to make sure the budget is balanced.
Baldacci issued the order for the fiscal year ending in mid-2010 as preliminary estimates showed a shortfall in the two-year $5.8 billion budget of approaching $400 million, or nearly 7 percent.
The governor's order stands until the Legislature returns in January for its 2010 session and modifies the current two-year state budget. Lawmakers passed a budget this year that slashed spending by $500 million, giving Maine the first budget in three decades that was smaller than the previous one. See story
BUDGET CUTS ORDERED
AUGUSTA -- Gov. John Baldacci signed a $63 million order to cut state spending Friday to address continued revenue shortfalls that have resulted in a $93 million gap in the current budget year.
AUGUSTA MINDING A MINE
AUGUSTA -- The City Council, in response to residents' complaints about odors, noise and traffic from a paving plant in a pit off West River Road, is considering an ordinance change that would shut the plant down.
Many happy returns in Richmond
RICHMOND -- It took a group of students to start recycling paper in Richmond schools.
SPORT OF KINGS Falconry a blend of dedication and commitment
Tax woes land on Whitefield
WHITEFIELD -- Selectmen say they will review the town's entire property tax assessment, look at areas already identified as problems, fix them, then look at land values.
Rapist denied new trial
AUGUSTA -- A judge on Thursday denied a bid for a new trial by rapist and kidnapper Albert F. Dumas.
Alleged serial burglars re-indicted
AUGUSTA -- An Augusta couple already facing numerous theft and burglary charges was indicted again Thursday on additional charges.
AUGUSTA 2 face arson charges
AUGUSTA -- Two Augusta men were arrested Thursday night on warrants charging them with arson in separate blazes.
S. China man charged in assault on officer
CHINA -- A local man is facing multiple charges after allegedly punching a sheriff's deputy.
State to care for animals seized in New Sharon
FARMINGTON -- More than 40 animals seized from a New Sharon home in connection with an animal cruelty case will remain, for now, under the care of the Maine Animal Welfare Program.
WEDDING BURGLAR JAILED
SKOWHEGAN -- A Palmyra wedding guest will spend 30 days in jail for stealing $1,500 in cash from his friends at their wedding.
BRIEFS
TOGUS -- Six hundred doses of seasonal flu vaccines were destroyed Thursday night or Friday morning when the refrigerator the doses were stored in stopped working at the Veterans Affairs Medical and Regional Office Center at Togus
FARMINGTON Food pantry drive big success
FARMINGTON -- Two and a half tons of food found its way on Friday morning from two elementary schools to a local food pantry.
Grand jury returns indictments
AUGUSTA -- A number of people were indicted in the most recent session of the grand jury in Kennebec County.
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