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

Lawmakers on a legislative committee are unanimously recommending that the state maintain revenue sharing and throw out Gov. Paul LePage's plan to tax nonprofits. But Republicans and Democrats on the Taxation Committee are divided over other pieces of LePage's budget plan. Republicans want to make some tweaks but largely agree with the governor's plan to raise the sales tax to 6.5 percent to help pay for a dramatic income tax cut. Democrats want to keep the sales tax at 5.5 percent and craft an income tax plan that provides roughly the same dollar amount in tax relief to all income groups. (AP)

The University of Maine at Augusta's undergraduate degree in aviation is expanding to a former naval station in Brunswick. New first-year private pilot level students who enroll in the university's aviation program will have the option to attend classes at either the Augusta campus and Maine Instrument Flight or at Brunswick Landing. The university is expanding the aviation program in the hopes of offering it to more students. The university is working with Southern Maine Community College to provide dorms at Brunswick Landing. (AP)

A Gardiner man is facing charges after allegedly using a metal crutch to beat a panhandler he thought was scamming the public. Police say 55-year-old Cletus Jernigan was charged with aggravated assault after what authorities say was an attack Sunday on 28-year-old Farmingdale man, who required treatment at the hospital for a minor arm injury. Jernigan was intoxicated and other man did nothing to provoke him. (AP)

A South Carolina police officer has been charged with murder after officials viewed a video that appears to show the white officer shooting a black motorist in the back several times. The video, taken by a witness, shows 50-year-old Walter Scott running away and then dropping to the ground as he's repeatedly shot. Scott is then handcuffed. Authorities say North Charleston Patrolman Michael Slager had stopped Scott because one of his car's brake lights was out. (AP)

Two black candidates are among three people elected Tuesday to the Ferguson, Missouri, City Council. The St. Louis suburb has been at the center of a national debate about how police interact with minority residents since the August shooting of an unarmed, black 18-year-old by a white officer. Just one council member was black even though the majority of residents are black. (AP)

Midstate Berkshire’s plan to consolidate operations in Winslow could eventually cost the Waterville almost $120,000 in annual property tax revenue. According to the KJ, the company expects the slowdown in work short-term and they hope to be in a position to rehire former workers when market conditions improve. However,  it is unlikely to reopen its Waterville facility after it closes later this year. The company announced last week it had laid off 70 employees from its Waterville and Winslow locations, about 30 % of its Maine workforce. (centralmaine.com)

More From 92 Moose