Wake-Up Call: Tuesday, August 12, 2008

With the PolitickerME.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Maine's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.

With the PolitickerME.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Maine's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.

Pindell Report: Collins seat increasingly safe

Susan Collins' re-election bid, which was once of the country's most closely watched U.S. Senate races, is becoming increasingly more secure for Collins, a new Politicker.com analysis shows.

The race is currently ranked as the 12th most-competitive race out of the 35 U.S. Senate races this year. (PolitickerME.com, Editor)

Link: 

http://www.politickerme.com/editor/2164/pindell-report-collins-seat-increasingly-safe

Baldacci to propose income tax cut

AUGUSTA- Gov. John Baldacci said Monday he would propose lowering Maine's personal income taxes in the January session of the Maine Legislature, but how much depends on the state budget now being developed. (Bangor Daily News, Mal Leary)

Link: http://bangornews.com/news/t/news.aspx?articleid=168286&zoneid=500

Allen campaigns to Waterville club

WATERVILLE-- We must end the war in Iraq, provide affordable health care for all Americans, address the energy crisis and change the country's basic economic strategy.

That was the word Monday from U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, D$1st District, who spoke to the Waterville Rotary Club about why he is running against U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, in the November election. (Maine Today, Amy Calder)

Link: http://news.mainetoday.com/updates/031399.html

Gardiner nomination papers available

GARDINER -- Nomination papers are available at City Hall for mayor, three at-large openings on the City Council and two openings on Maine School Administrative District 11 Board of Directors. (Maine Today, Staff)

Link: http://news.mainetoday.com/updates/031384.html

Merging district prepares Nov. board elections

Residents from five towns merging into one regional school district can soon become candidates for the district's new 12-member school board. (Maine Today, Staff)

Link: http://news.mainetoday.com/updates/031378.html

Allen adds star power to his Senate campaign

PORTLAND—Democrat Tom Allen is bringing some star power to his Senate bid.

Bonnie Raitt's show was a sellout Monday night at Portland's Merrill Auditorium to benefit Allen's campaign. A day later, she'll be performing in New Hampshire to raise money for former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire. (Boston Globe, AP)

Link: http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2008/08/11/allen_adds_st...

Frary proposes Maine oil refinery, fears obstruction by ‘enviro-kooks’

John Frary, a Farmington selectman running for the Second Congressional District, is calling for an oil refinery to be built at the former Loring Air Force Base in Limestone.

Frary, a Republican, is challenging U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud. (PolitickerME.com, Jessica Alaimo)

Link: http://www.politickerme.com/jessicaalaimo/2158/frary-proposes-maine-oil-...

Maine considers making techs report child porn

PORTLAND—State lawmakers will consider a proposal that would require computer repair technicians to report any child porn they discover to law enforcement officials. (Boston Globe, AP)

Link: http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2008/08/11/maine_conside...

Brake will run for re-election to Kittery council, Spiller not sure

KITTERY — There will be two Town Council seats up for grabs at the November election. Those seats are currently held by Jeff Brake and Judith Spiller.

Brake said Monday he will definitely run for re-election. (Seacoast Online, Shir Haberman)

Link: http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080812/NEWS/8...

State awards $30 million in grants to advance technology development

AUGUSTA — Fourteen applicants, including universities, nonprofit research centers and businesses, will share in $30 million in bond funds designed to advance the development of new technologies and promote economic growth in Maine. (Portland Press Herald, AP)

Link: http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=204317&ac=PHnws

Department of Education eyes fuel help for districts

The Maine Department of Education may seek money from the Legislature to help school districts offset budget-busting fuel prices this winter, a spokesman said Monday.

The department plans to survey districts across the state in the coming weeks to determine which ones failed to budget enough to cover rising heating oil and diesel costs, said spokesman David Connerty-Marin. (Morning Sentinel, Kelley Bouchard)

Link: http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/5308594.html

With the PolitickerME.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Maine's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.