Senate Republican Leader Trey Stewart discussed the ongoing impasse in Augusta over the supplemental budget, which he described as a Medicaid bailout. Stewart criticized the lack of reforms proposed by Democrats, including work requirements for able-bodied adults and reducing MaineCare enrollment. He accused Democrats of bad faith negotiations, citing text messages as evidence. Stewart emphasized that Republicans have consistently opposed unsustainable spending without reforms. Despite efforts to negotiate a compromise, Democrats rejected a committee of conference and are expected to pass a majority budget without Republican input, exacerbating the fiscal challenges facing MaineCare.
Tropical Storms Karina and Lowell formed Thursday in the Pacific Ocean, both of which were expected to become hurricanes in the next few days, the National Hurricane Center said.
A new study suggests that El Ninos — the natural climatic chaos agent that pops up periodically and spikes global temperatures — are getting stronger because of human-caused climate change.
Two unvaccinated Pennsylvania residents have died after being infected with measles, the first U.S. deaths this year related to the contagious virus. State health officials announced the deaths Tuesday. They did not reveal any details about the people who died, other than that they lived in Lancaster County, west of Philadelphia.
