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Pro-life group endorses Scontras

Dean Scontras, a Republican candidate in the First Congressional District, has been endorsed by the National Right to Life Political Action Committee.

Scontras is a pro-life candidate. (PolitickerME.com, Jessica Alaimo)

Link: http://www.politickerme.com/jessicaalaimo/1570/pro-life-group-endorses-s...

MSAD 71 budget up for first vote May 15

KENNEBUNK — Tonight, voters will begin the first step in a new, two-part school budget approval process mandated by the state.

The first part of the process will be a formal budget hearing and town meeting-style vote on 12 warrant articles, scheduled for tonight in the gym at Kennebunk High School. (Seacoast Online, Laura Dolce)

Link:  http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080515/NEWS/8...

District 1 hopefuls argue war, health care

OGUNQUIT — Debate was lively and largely aimed across party lines as seven of the eight candidates for Maine's 1st Congressional District seat faced off during a forum at the Dunaway Center on Thursday. The exception was Adam Cote, who broke ranks with his Democratic peers on issues like health care and Iraq.

The forum was sponsored by the Portsmouth Herald, The York Weekly and the York County Coast Star. (Seacoast Online, Jim Kanak)

Link: http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080515/NEWS/8...

State: Wells Ogunquit school district must consolidate

WELLS — Maine Education Commissioner Susan Gendron denied the Wells Ogunquit Community School District's request to file an alternative plan to remain a stand-alone school district under the state's school consolidation initiative.  (Seacoast Online, Jim Kanak)

Link: http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080515/NEWS/8...

Cumberland legislator to seek second term

State Rep. Meredith Strang Burgess, a Cumberland Republican, has announced that she will seek a second term in the Legislature on Nov. 4.

Strang Burgess, the CEO of Burgess Advertising and Marketing in Portland, represents District 108, which includes Chebeague Island, Cumberland, Long island and part of North Yarmouth. (Maine Today, Staff)

Link: http://news.mainetoday.com/updates/027046.html

State offers advice on Lindell’s signs

FRANKFORT — House District 41 Candidate R. Kenneth Lindell defended his use of the term ‘re-elect’ in his campaign signs this week despite the fact that he is not the sitting incumbent. (Maine Coast Now, Staff)

Link:  http://www.mainecoastnow.com/articles/2008/05/15/politics_and_elections/...

Magnan seeks House seat in District 41

STOCKTON SPRINGS — A retired educator is the lone Democratic candidate for the House District 41 seat.

Veronica Magnan, 61, of Stockton Springs, said she has wanted to run for public office for a long time but was never able to because of the jobs that she held. Now that she is retired, she said it made sense to run. (Maine Coast Now, Steve Fuller)

Link: http://www.mainecoastnow.com/articles/2008/05/15/politics_and_elections/...

Orland Republican runs for nomination in primary

DISTRICT 41 — A cook and organic farmer from Orland has decided to run for the seat in the House of Representatives that Rep. Lance Weddell is leaving. (Maine Coast Now, Jane Andrews)

Link: http://www.mainecoastnow.com/articles/2008/05/15/politics_and_elections/...

Southworth steps into three-way race for District 41 House seat

SEARSPORT — A retired teacher, who said Republican Party functionaries recruited him, is running for the open District 41 seat in the House of Representatives.

Warren Dana Southworth, 68, of Searsport, is one of three Republicans to declare himself a candidate for legislature since Democratic incumbent Rep. Lance Weddell announced he wouldn’t run for re-election. (Maine Coast Now, Jane Andrews)

Link: http://www.mainecoastnow.com/articles/2008/05/15/politics_and_elections/...

Legislature preserves nonexistent $71,000 job

AUGUSTA--Patrick Dostie, the state’s nuclear safety inspector, has been coming to work every day to a job he’s held since 1989 — even though the position was eliminated in 2005 by the Legislature. (Village Soup, Victoria Wallack)

Link: http://www.waldo.villagesoup.com/Government/story.cfm?storyID=116058

State investments: safe or lucrative?

AUGUSTA - Legislation putting tighter restrictions on state investments died when lawmakers adjourned last month, but the controversy continues and likely will be before lawmakers next year. (Bangor Daily News, Mal Leary)

Link:  http://bangornews.com/news/t/news.aspx?articleid=164373&zoneid=500

State approves flood assistance

Gov. John E. Baldacci on Wednesday announced the approval of the additional requests for public assistance covering Aroostook, Knox, Lincoln, Piscataquis, Somerset and Waldo counties. (Morning Sentinel, Staff)

Link: http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/5060128.html