CDC shredding case gets closer scrutiny
While Gov. Paul LePage has been unable to pass “right-to-work” legislation in Maine, he's asserting in a new way his right to try.
The big idea
The governor's latest business development proposal calls for creating two zones in the state where unions are weaker and for substantial tax breaks, including a 100% corporate income tax credit for the first 10 years, and other perks for businesses bringing to Maine more than 1,500 jobs and investing more than $50 million. The “Open for Business Zones” plan to prevent unions from collecting mandatory fees from workers represented in collective bargaining with a certain employer at either Brunswick Landing or the former Loring Air Force Base received quick criticism from Democratic leaders, who said weaker unions would only lead to lower-wage jobs. The Portland Press Herald reported Peter DelGreco, president of site location and development firm Maine & Co., praised the plan.
Judge Shredd
Christine Zukas, a deputy director at the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, on March 15 told a panel of lawmakers she destroyed documents related to $4.7 million in public health grants after the agency's director ordered junior staff to revise the methodology for scoring the grant awards. Former employee Sharon Leahy-Lind, the whistleblower who brought charges against Zukas, CDC Director Sheila Pinette and Director of the Office of Health Equity Lisa Sockabasin, said the methodology changes were “political” and intended to score a Bangor health organization first. Lawmakers on the Government Oversight Committee confirmed the process was changed but not why, according to the Portland Press Herald. They meet again March 28.
Catching a dam break
After lawmakers tabled LD 1792 directing Penobscot River dam owner Brookfield Asset Management to share profits with the struggling Great Northern Paper Co., owned by Cate Street Capital, the two parties are looking to negotiate a deal outside of the state capitol. The Bangor Daily News reported Cate Street CEO John Hallé said the bill would generate up to $1 million per month for his company during times of high demand for electricity.
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