WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she has secured $14 million to help combat the spread of spruce budworm in Maine forests in disaster relief legislation that was released last night. The federal funding would be supplemented by state and private money for spraying. The bill now awaits considerati more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Office of the Secretary issued the following statement by Acting Secretary Julie Su: * * * President Biden, alongside Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su and Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, today announced the designation of the Frances Perkins National Monument in Newcastle, Maine, at the homestead of former Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins. Secretary Perkins was the first woman cabinet secretary and the longest serving Se more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service issued the following news release on Dec. 16, 2024: The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it has partnered with Maine to award nearly $1 million for five projects through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain and strengthen local and regional food systems. "Projects fund more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Sen. Angus S. King Jr., I-Maine, issued the following news release: Senator Angus King (I-ME), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), lauded the bipartisan Congressional passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This legislation will strengthen America's national security, help protect service members from brain injuries and boost the economies of Maine communities through shipbuilding and manufacturing with the hundreds o more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation issued the following news release: Today, as part of continuous efforts to support transportation accessibility, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) published a final rule that will increase accessibility for transit users by providing local governments and other owner-operators of the public right-of-way clear, uniform, and technically defined standards of accessibility to guide their design decisions for new const more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, issued the following news release: Pay raises, health care perks have no place in spending deal, Congressman saysCongressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today announced he will vote against the Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the government through March, over inclusion of Congressional pay raises(link is external) and more generous health care benefits for members. The CR, released by Republican leadership last night, omits language freezing Membe more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, issued the following news release: Move gives fishermen a seat at the table in collecting data to determine the future of shrimp fishery 10 years after it was closed by the federal governmentCongressman Jared Golden (ME-02) released the following statement regarding the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's (ASMFC) recent decision(link is external) to allow Maine fisherman to haul 58,400 pounds of shrimp this winter as part of a survey  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, issued the following news release: Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representative Jared Golden today urged the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to reverse its closure of the Bangor Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC). In a letter to IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel, the Delegation shared the reality that the misguided decision which went into effect yesterday would leave Mainers with just two options to meet with the IRS in-person:  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- Sen. Angus S. King Jr., I-Maine, issued the following news release: Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representative Jared Golden today urged the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to reverse its closure of the Bangor Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC). In a letter to IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel, the Delegation shared the reality that the misguided decision which went into effect yesterday would leave Mainers with just two options to meet with the IRS in-person: more PR

AUGUSTA, Maine, Dec. 19 -- Gov. Janet Mills, D-Maine, issued the following news on Dec. 18, 2024: * * * Tarlan Ahmadov, a seasoned workforce leader and former state refugee coordinator, will begin on January 21 * * * Governor Janet Mills announced today that she has appointed Tarlan Ahmadov, a seasoned workforce development leader and former state refugee coordinator, as the first director of the Maine Office of New Americans (ONA). Ahmadov has more than 20 years of experience in employment more PR

AUGUSTA, Maine, Dec. 19 -- The Maine Public Utilities Commission issued the following order (No. 2024-00174) on Dec. 18, 2024: * * * Unitil Corporation, Northern Utilities, Inc. d/b/a Unitil, Hearthstone Holdings, Inc. d/b/a Hope Companies, Inc., PHC Utilities, Inc. and Bangor Natural Gas Company, Request for Regulatory Approvals Related to a Merger of Bangor Natural Gas Company Into Unitil Corporation and Related Debt and Affiliate Arrangements (35-A M.R.S. Sec.Sec. 707, 708, 901 & 902) ORDE more PR

PORTLAND, Maine, Dec. 19 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine issued the following news release on Dec. 18, 2024: U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee today announced the filing of lawsuits against three individuals alleging they fraudulently applied for and received CARES Act pandemic relief funds: * Jazmyn Paduani (Manchester, New Hampshire) is alleged to have fraudulently applied for, received, and received forgiveness for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan. * Devi more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service issued a notice in the Federal Register on Dec. 10, 2024, entitled "National Register of Historic Places; Notification of Pending Nominations and Related Actions". Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY: The National Park Service is soliciting electronic comments on the significance of properties nominated before November 30, 2024, for listing or related actions in the National Register of Historic Places. DATES: C more ST

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- The U.S. Office of Personnel Management has released the following public communication on Dec. 10, 2024, from Friends of Acadia, Bar Harbor, Maine: * * * Prevailing Rate Systems; Change in Criteria for Defining Appropriated Fund Federal Wage System Wage Areas 1. 5 CFR Part 532 2. [Docket ID: OPM-2024-0016] 3. RIN 3206-AO69 Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on the proposed rule to amend Federal Wage System (FWS) wage area boundaries. Please find attac more ST

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on Dec. 17, 2024: * * * U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement on the continuing resolution and disaster relief supplemental package: "Most important, the legislative package released tonight contains a continuing resolution, which will prevent an unnecessary and costly government shutd more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-New Mexico, issued the following news release: Bipartisan Bill Now Heads to President's Desk Yesterday, the U.S. Senate passed the Native American Child Protection Act (NACPA), legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine). The bill reauthorizes and reforms three programs that ensure Tribes have the tools needed to treat, prevent, investigate, and prosecute Native American child abuse and neglect. U.S. Re more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, issued the following news release: Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced their nominees to the United States Military Service Academies. To be considered for an appointment to a service academy, applicants must be nominated by an authorized nominating source, which includes Members of Congress. Admission to the United States Coast Guard Academy, also a federal service academy, does not require a congressional nomination. "W more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- Sen. Angus S. King Jr., I-Maine, issued the following news release: Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced their nominees to the United States Military Academies. To be considered for an appointment to a service academy, applicants must be nominated by an authorized nominating source, which includes Members of Congress. Admission to the United States Coast Guard Academy, also a federal service academy, does not require a congressional nomination. "We are p more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has released the following public communication dated Dec. 9, 2024, from the City Bar Justice Center, New York: * * * To: Jonathan Taylor Staff Attorney Office of the General Counsel (022) Department of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Avenue NW Washington, DC 20420 RE: RIN 2900-AR94; Comment to Improving Accreditation Process and Strengthening Legal Education Requirements for Accredited Agents and Attorneys * * * Dear Mr. Tayl more ST