Politics & Government

The just released proposal by the Maine Department of Corrections (DOC) to restructure the state's county jail system did not come out of the blue, but nonetheless Washington County Commission Chair Chris Gardner says that he's surprised they "took this route."

Washington County Commission Chair Chris Gardner explains that the county's drug-related crimes are one of the "biggest drivers" of the almost 8% increase in the Washington County fiscal year 2018 budget. The county commissioners approved the budget at their November meeting.

Maine voters will face on the November 7 ballot four referendum questions, including citizen's initiatives for Medicaid expansion and a southern Maine casino.

Over 20 Downeast healthcare organization leaders and providers met with U.S. Senator Angus King at Eastport Health Care (EHC) on the morning of July 5 to voice their concerns about the Senate's proposed legislation that would replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

The fate of the Downeast Correctional Facility (DCF) is still in limbo. Rep. Will Tuell of East Machias explains that there are three versions of the state budget and each with its own variation of funding the Washington County-based prison.

Six days after the sudden and unexpected news on May 19 from Governor Paul LePage and the Department of Corrections that the Downeast Correctional Facility (DCF) in Bucks Harbor would be closed on June 10, the legislature appears to be set on course to reassert its role in the budget