Central Maine News: Wife Accidently Shoots Husband in Hunting Accident in China

These are some of the stories central Maine is talking about today.

Critics of Maine Republican Gov. Paul LePage's plan to eliminate the income tax say the move would inevitably result in huge cuts to things like education. LePage wants to amend the constitution to prevent the state from collecting the income tax beginning in 2020. The Legislature's Office of Fiscal and Program Review estimates that it would mean a roughly $1.7 billion annual decrease in general fund revenue. LePage believes that abolishing the tax and putting more money in Mainers' pockets is one of the most powerful ways to grow the state's economy. But opponents and Democrats questioned where the state would find the money to fund schools and other programs unless it raises other taxes. (AP)

Game wardens are investigating a hunting incident in which a wife shot her husband. The two were hunting for turkeys in China when 60-year-old Reginald Jacques of Waterville was hit by a shotgun blast late Tuesday morning. Wardens say he was struck on the face and arm by buckshot. Cpl. John McDonald said both were cooperating with investigators. He said further details were not available because the case remained under investigation. (AP/centralmaine.com)

The Maine House of Representatives has rejected a bill that would require people to show photo identification before voting. It was narrowly approved by the Senate with an 18-17 vote last week.It faces further votes. Republicans say the bill would ensure the integrity of Maine's election system. They also reject the argument made by some opponents that it would make it harder for some people to vote because the bill would allow people who can't present an ID on Election Day to cast a provisional ballot. They'd have to prove their identity within five days. Democrats say that voter fraud is virtually non-existent, so the bill is unnecessary.  (AP)

Police have arrested a Maine man they allege tried to steal lawn chairs from a woman's yard, and then swung a machete when the woman wielded a garden hoe to try to stop him. Dwight Hart of Bingham was charged with criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon and criminal trespassing in connection with the confrontation Sunday evening. 64-year-old Hart pulled his pickup truck into a yard in Moscow and started taking lawn chairs. The woman, holding a garden hoe, told him to stop. Police say Hart grabbed a machete and started swinging, leaving a few nicks in the hoe's handle. (AP)

The Maine House has failed to override a bill to limit smoker surcharges imposed by health insurers.The 83-64 vote fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto by Gov. Paul LePage.The bill would have capped tobacco use surcharges at 20 percent for individual and small group health plans. Supporters say tobacco users currently can end up paying as much as 49 percent more than nonsmokers with at least one carrier on the health insurance exchange. The bill was previously approved by unanimous consent in both chambers. (AP)

Crews battled a fast-moving fire in Monmouth Tuesday afternoon. The wind made it difficult for firefighters to get hot spots and smoke under control. According to WGME officials say A&D Electric was destroyed when the fire ripped through it. The fire chief says an employee of A&D Electric was welding in a truck, that truck then caught fire and the fire spread to the three story building. The chief says the building was full of wood, metal, fuel, vehicles, and lots of other materials that he says only made the fire worse. The wind caused debris to fly into a nearby field, which started a brush fire. The chief says the employee that was welding was taken to the hospital with burns on his arms, back and face. (WGME/centralmaine.com)

Lithgow Public Library will open Monday in its new, but temporary home, in the old MaineGeneral building on Chestnut St. The reopening comes a month after the library closed and moved out so the expansion and renovations can begin. The library is undergoing an $11 million, 18-month expansion project. They will keep their hours and regular programs and services will be offered at the new location. There is a book drop near the main entrance and their space is to the right as you walk in the main entrance. (centralmaine.com)