Politics & Government

Critical state funding issues, including two bills connected to the fate of the Downeast Correctional Facility in Machiasport, are hanging on whether or not the state legislature returns for a special session.

Washington County communities recognize the problem of escalating drug-related crimes but are struggling with how to tackle the problem without placing additional financial burdens on already tight municipal and household budgets.

The state's attorney general, the Washington County commissioners and the county's legislators are challenging in court the unilateral decision by Governor LePage and the Department of Corrections (DOC) to close the Downeast Correctional Facility (DCF) without warning on the morning of February 9.

The Washington County budget plan -- which would increase the budget by approximately $530,000 while adding four deputies -- was addressed with consternation by the Calais City Council at a meeting on February 8.

The fight to keep the Downeast Correctional Facility (DCF) prison operating will be a long road, says Rep. Will Tuell of East Machias. He, Senator Joyce Maker of Calais, Rep. Robert Alley of Beals, Rep.

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."