On Maine Politics

 Jason Levesque, a Republican planning to challenge U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud in the 2nd District next year, said he's hired several staffers to get ready for a serious campaign.

 Republicans running for governor in 2010 think financial issues will be the key to their success as they compete in 37 races around the country, the New York Times is reporting.

 Gov. John Baldacci will announce his plan for temporary spending restrictions today (Friday), almost a year to the day of the 2008 curtailment.

 The Ethics Commission is set to get rolling  in a few minutes, and it's a full agenda.

 Democrat Rosa Scarcelli, one of a number of people running for governor, stopped by the State House press corps today to chat, promote her job-creation ideas and to talk about a new function

 Now that we've all had a little time to recover from the election, several boards and legislative committees are set to meet this week.

 Public Policy Polling released a poll Tuesday indicating that 46 percent of Maine Republicans now say they disapprove of Sen.

 U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, D-Maine, just sent out a column that explains his vote in support of the House version of health care reform.

 Bill Becker, founder of the Maine Heritage Policy Center and finance director for Peter Cianchette in 2002, has signed on as campaign manager with Republican gubernatorial hopeful Matt Jacobs

Many legislators will return to the State House Thursday to try to convince legislative leaders that their bills should be considered next year.