AUGUSTA, Maine, June 19 -- The Maine House Democrats issued the following news release on June 18, 2025: * * * House Democrats give final approval to Matlack bill to cut taxes for middle-class Maine families AUGUSTA - House Democrats voted Friday to give final approval to a bill sponsored by Rep. Ann Matlack, D-St. George, that would restructure Maine's tax brackets to give middle-class Mainers a tax cut while ensuring the wealthy pay more of their fair share. The vote was 76-71. "Working c  more

WASHINGTON, June 18 -- The Maine Public Utilities Commission has granted a request by United States Cellular Corp., Chicago, Illinois, to waive a rule requiring 9-months advance notice for relinquishing its Eligible Telecommunications Carrier designation (Docket No. 2025-00067). This decision paves the way for United States Cellular Corp. to transition its services as its acquisition by T-Mobile US Inc., Bellevue, progresses. USCC informed the Commission on February 21, 2025, of its intent to r  more

WASHINGTON, June 18 -- The Maine Public Utilities Commission has authorized the Maine Water Co., Saco, to issue an unsecured note for up to $25,000,000 (Docket No. 2025-00155). The note, to be issued through CoBank, ACB, will carry an interest rate not exceeding 7.25 percent net of patronage and have a term of up to 31 years. The utility company plans to use the proceeds from this issuance to pay down an existing line of credit from its parent company, Connecticut Water Service Company. Funds w  more

WASHINGTON, June 18 -- The Maine Public Utilities Commission has authorized Rippleffect Inc., Rockville, Maryland, to provide water taxi and charter services within Casco Bay (Docket No. 2025-00144). The approval, issued on June 17, 2025, allows the company to operate its vessels, opportunity, vision and venture, for these purposes. Rippleffect, Inc., submitted its application on May 6, 2025, seeking permission for water taxi, unscheduled freight, and charter services. The Commission provided p  more

WASHINGTON, June 18 -- The Maine Public Utilities Commission has approved an amended Support Services Agreement between Summit Natural Gas of Maine Inc., Augusta, and its affiliate, Peaks Renewables Inc., Vancouver, Canada (Docket No. 2019-00306). This allows Summit to provide operational and emergency response services to Peaks, ensuring the continued supply of renewable natural gas. The original SSA, approved in January 2020, permitted Summit to offer support services to Peaks primarily durin  more