Matt Gagnon discussed the recent budget vote in Maine, highlighting the Democrats’ push for income tax hikes despite initial hesitation within their caucus and Janet Mills’ campaign promises against broad-based tax increases. The House and Senate agreed on a $11.3 billion state budget, including a $1.30 increase in the cigarette tax and Medicaid funding. Six House Democrats joined Republicans to initially defeat the budget amendment, which later passed 75-73. Sophie Warren was the sole Democratic opponent. The budget, expected to be signed by Mills, includes a $320.6 million spending plan over five years, with a net cost of $118.1 million.
They gathered at the Washington National Cathedral on Thursday — former presidents, vice presidents, sworn political foes and newfound friends — in a show of respect and remembrance for Dick Cheney, the consequential and polarizing vice president who became an acidic scold of President Donald Trump.
Melania Trump and Usha Vance took their first trip together, spending time in North Carolina on Wednesday with service members and their families to show appreciation for their service and sacrifice as the holidays approach.
Members of the Sackler family who own OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma must pay billions of dollars to settle a flood of lawsuits over the harms of opioids, in a new deal formally approved by a federal bankruptcy judge on Tuesday.
The House voted overwhelmingly in favor of a bill Tuesday to force the Justice Department to publicly release its files on the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a remarkable display of approval for an effort that had struggled for months to overcome opposition from President Donald Trump and Republican leadership.
