The conservative-majority US Supreme Court is hearing a case that could pose an existential threat to the leading consumer protections agency, potentially leaving thousands of Mainers vulnerable to unfair and abusive financial practices, including scams, junk fees and predatory lending. On Tuesday, the court began hearing oral arguments in Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) v.…
With a government shutdown deadline looming on Sept. 30, House Republicans are pushing for massive cuts in the 2024 federal budget that would slash funds for the administration of Medicaid, Social Security and housing vouchers and force cuts upon thousands of low-income students in Maine. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is struggling to bring a…
Maine Rep. Chellie Pingree and other members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus are calling on President Joe Biden to invoke the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to “end Republican hostage taking” amid what they describe as “a manufactured debt crisis.” Sixty House Democrats, not including Second District Rep. Jared Golden, have signed onto a…
Retired public employees who have been trying to survive on insufficient pension payments may soon see relief after members of Maine’s Labor and Housing committee earlier this month issued a unanimous report recommending an increase to the cost-of-living adjustment. Inflation coupled with drastic cuts made a decade ago to state worker and teacher pensions are…
Drastic cuts made a decade ago to the pensions of state employees and teachers are today pushing more retirees closer to poverty as Maine’s retirement system is failing to keep up with the cost of inflation. “For the first time since I retired, I am afraid of my financial future,” Janice Driver, a retired teacher…
One of the state’s biggest unions said its members are deeply concerned about a proposal floated by independent Sen. Angus King and a group of Senate Republicans to slash Social Security benefits by raising the retirement age to 70. “Social Security is a critical lifeline for working-class people and we strongly condemn any action to…
Touted as one of the top achievements in a $1.2 billion supplemental budget passed last month, state lawmakers say they are countering Maine’s severe shortage of trained direct care workers to care for seniors and people with disabilities by finally funding a long-sought wage increase. But some directors of state-subsidized congregate living facilities say the…
For years, Louise Shackett has had trouble walking or standing for long periods, making it difficult for her to clean her house in southeastern Maine or do laundry. Shackett, 80, no longer drives, which makes it hard to get to the grocery store or doctor. Her low income, though, qualifies her for a state program…
This week on the Beacon podcast, Esther Ben and Mike discuss some moments from the First Congressional District debate and whether super-spreader venues in Maine should face prosecution. Also: Sen. Susan Collins has been echoing some of the most destructive language of President Donald Trump in attacks on Beacon, with her staff calling it a…
Beacon reporters Alyce McFadden and Evan Popp join the podcast to discuss their post-debate articles on Susan Collins’ Social Security record and the race’s third-party candidates. Esther, Ben and Mike dissect the debate and try to access Max Linn’s website. Also: Maine finalizes the rules for earned paid time off, which begins in January. Ask…