Maine Governor Baldacci Press Releases

Governor Baldacci Orders Immediate Spending Reductions

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:07:49 EST

AUGUSTA � Governor John E. Baldacci today issued an executive order directing State agencies to cut the rate of spending in the current fiscal year by $63.1 million.

The order, called a curtailment, will help to ensure that the State finishes the fiscal year with a balanced budget.

The effects of the national recession continue to hurt Maine�s economy. Stat...

Governor Renews Civil Emergency Order to Fight Flu

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:18:37 EST

AUGUSTA � Governor John E. Baldacci today renewed a Proclamation of Civil Emergency Due to a Highly Infectious Agent. The original proclamation was signed on Sept. 1, with renewed proclamations signed Sept. 30 and again on Oct. 29. The proclamation enables the State to continue to respond to the potential dangers of H1N1 flu and to facilitate a statewide vaccination ca...

Governor Highlights Maine as Premier Location for Wind Power Investments

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:23:56 EST

AUGUSTA � Governor John E. Baldacci today escorted executives from Statoil around the State as part of a visit of officials from the Norwegian company. Statoil is working with the University of Maine on potential offshore wind power development.

Company officials, including the head of Statoil�s wind power business development, came to Maine to see firsth...

Governor Baldacci Names Task Force to Implement New Medical Marijuana Law

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:18:41 EST

AUGUSTA � Governor John E. Baldacci today announced the names of the appointments to the Committee on the Implementation of the Maine Medical Marijuana Act. The Governor created the task force by Executive Order on Nov. 6, following the medical marijuana law approved by Maine voters. The Governor said the task force would advise him on the appropriate way to implement the new la...

Governor Baldacci Swears In Thaxter Trafton as Acting Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:00:14 EST

AUGUSTA � Governor John E. Baldacci today swore in Thaxter Trafton as the new Acting Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development.

�Thaxter Trafton brings exceptional experience and leadership skills to this post, and has a proven track record with Maine�s business community,� Governor Baldacci said. �He will be a strong advocate for job gr...

Maine Records Two More Deaths Linked to H1N1

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:53:44 EST

AUGUSTA � Two more deaths have been reported linked to H1N1 influenza in Maine, bringing the total to five since August, and a Kennebec County long-term care facility is experiencing an outbreak of H1N1, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control.

A Hancock County resident between the ages of 25 years old and 50 years old and a Kennebec County resident older than 65 years ol...

Community Welcomes Maine Red Claws to the State

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:42:23 EST

PORTLAND � At an event to raise funds for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine, Governor John E. Baldacci and First Lady Karen Baldacci were among an enthusiastic crowd that welcomed the Maine Red Claws players, coaches and their families to the State.

In welcoming the Red Claws, the Governor said, �You should know that you do not just join one city or one region, but you are n...

Governor Registers Opposition to Proposed Low-Level Military Flights Over Western Maine

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:13:17 EST

AUGUSTA � Governor John E. Baldacci today registered his opposition to a proposal by the Air National Guard to allow low-level training flights over Western Maine.

A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, in Farmington in the Lincoln Auditorium on the campus of the University of Maine Farmington.

In the letter to the Dir...

Old Town Canoe Celebrates Expansion

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:04:12 EST

OLD TOWN � Governor John E. Baldacci congratulated local officials, the employees of Old Town Canoe and officials from the parent company Johnson Outdoors Inc. during the ribbon cutting of the Gilman Falls Avenue facility. The building now houses the distribution, office and manufacturing of the paddle sports brand operations for Old Town Canoe. The company estimates the 48 jobs w...

Governor Announces Student Competition to Expand Maine Students� Engineering Horizons

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:39:51 EST

AUGUSTA � Governor John E. Baldacci today announced a unique opportunity for high school students across the State. The Real World Design Challenge enables young people to apply their technical and engineering skills toward a specific project. This year�s challenge relates to fuel efficiency in aviation, and is sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration, NASA and several pri...

Governor Celebrates Next Step to Maine Woods Legacy

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:37:51 EST

AUGUSTA � Governor John E. Baldacci joined representatives of the Appalachian Mountain Club, The Nature Conservancy and others today to celebrate an important next step in building a Maine Woods Legacy. The conservation successes are the 29,500-acre Roach Ponds Tract and the 15,000-acre Moose River Landscape.

�Less than six years ago, I first spoke with you about this ...

Keep ME Warm Brochures Available to Connect Mainers to Energy Tips and Assistance

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:22:41 EST

AUGUSTA - Governor John E. Baldacci announced the sixth year of Keep ME Warm, an outreach initiative to help Maine citizens prepare for the cold winter months. The Governor�s Office began distributing Keep ME Warm brochures to partner organizations this week.

�The State of Maine has been working to ensure that residents are able to stay safe in their homes this winte...

Governor Baldacci Creates Task Force To Help Implement New Medical Marijuana Law

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:54:25 EST

AUGUSTA � Governor John E. Baldacci today signed an executive order forming a task force to make recommendations on the implementation of a new medical marijuana law approved Tuesday by Maine voters.

�Given the results of Tuesday�s election, it�s my responsibility to find the most reasonable way to implement the will of the people while also ...

Governor Mourns Passing of Ival �Bud� Cianchette

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:21:52 EST

AUGUSTA � Governor John E. Baldacci has learned of the death of Ival �Bud� Cianchette, one of the founders of Cianbro. Bud and his brothers, Carl, Ken and Chuck, started the construction company in 1949 and just recently celebrated the 60th year of operation.

The Governor said that Bud was a problem solver and a man deeply devoted to family, business and community.

...

Governor Receives Keeping Maine�s Forests Report

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:42:29 EST

AUGUSTA � Governor John E. Baldacci today received the Keeping Maine�s Forests report from Dr. Bruce Wiersma, former Dean of the University of Maine College of Natural Sciences, Forestry and Agriculture. Dr. Wiersma, as the Chair of the Keeping Maine�s Forests Committee, led the work of a group of 20 representatives of various stakeholders for more than 18 months to produce the rep...