Politics & Government

While it appears the Washington County government may have raised enough funds from municipalities to be able to pay its tax-anticipation note (TAN) to Machias Savings Bank by February 20, the meeting of that obligation is coming at a significant cost to the towns in the county.

On January 21, the Maine legislature's Committee on State and Local Government held a hearing regarding LD 2009, a bill sponsored by Senator Marianne Moore of Calais that would allow political subdivisions, including municipalities and counties, to declare bankruptcy.

With the adoption of a budget on December 17 with $11.6 million to be raised by taxation and so far about half of the towns in the county agreeing to prepay on the estimated $8 million tax-anticipation note (TAN) that the county owes for the current year's budget...

With Washington County voters rejecting the proposed $11 million county bond question by a margin of 53% to 47% in the November 4 election, county officials are struggling to figure out how to pay the current tax anticipation note (TAN), due December 31, without defaulting...

As the November 4 vote on the proposed $11 million bond issue to bail out the Washington County budget nears, county officials have been explaining the steps being taken to limit any county tax increase, to ensure accountability ...

Maine voters will consider two statewide referendum questions at the November 4 polls. Question 1 would alter the laws governing absentee voting and voter ID requirements, among other changes, and Question 2 would enact Maine's Extreme Risk Protection Order law...