Carlisle McLean will serve a four-year term on the Maine Public Utilities Commission.

Both political parties are scrutinizing the governor’s budget, the focus of next week’s State of the State address.

The state sees better health outcomes if it shifts the $20 million, but the Fund for a Healthy Maine would take a hit.

The governor has not authorized five financial orders submitted by Democratic AG Janet Mills.

The board’s executive director says it doesn’t have authority to spend the money because of vacant seats that Gov. Paul LePage has refused to fill.

The groups are worried about how they would pay and the impact on setting aside public land.

About 350 rural communities short on nonprofits to tax may have to raise property taxes to replace lost state aid, but Gov. LePage’s budget chief says it’s too early to gauge the impact.