
By Lauren McCauley | Editor
“Our members stood united in these negotiations. Together, we refused to accept earlier offers that management had billed as its ‘last, best and final’ offer.” - Mark Brunton, president of the state workers union, on the newly ratified contract.

The United States-Canada border crossing between Jackman, Maine and Saint-Théophile, Quebec. (Photo by Lauren McCauley/ Maine Morning Star)
ECONOMY
By Kaitlyn Budion
The Mills administration has been at odds with the union for years over the ‘pay gap’ between public and private sector workers. State employee wages have lagged behind equivalent private sector jobs, and the union has argued that the gap has led to chronic understaffing at Maine agencies.
LABOR
By Kaitlyn Budion
The Mills administration has been at odds with the union for years over the ‘pay gap’ between public and private sector workers. State employee wages have lagged behind equivalent private sector jobs, and the union has argued that the gap has led to chronic understaffing at Maine agencies.
ECONOMY
By Ashley Murray, States Newsroom
The Federal Reserve raised interest rates Wednesday for the first time in three years as inflation continues to dog the economy, largely driven by soaring gas and fuel oil prices while the war in Iran drags on.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Trump admin aims to shift homelessness grants toward addiction treatment, enforcement | Robbie Sequiera, Stateline
More GOP lawmakers break with Trump on Iran as gas prices keep climbing | Ashley Murray, States Newsroom
US House to leave for campaign break without action on AI, affordability | Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom
With McConnell back, Senate ag committee advances farm bill on party lines | Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch
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