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

The Maine Senate has given initial approval to a bill that would place a nine-month limit on general assistance benefits. The Republican-led Senate supported the bill by a 24-11 vote on Thursday. Under the bill, people who have no children and are capable of working would be limited to nine months on the municipal welfare program. Once they use up their benefits, they'd be ineligible for five years. Democrats said the move would devastate those who have nowhere else to turn in an emergency. But Assistant Republican Leader said general assistance should be a "lifeline, not a hammock." The legislative fiscal office says the number of people who currently receive benefits for more than 9 months isn't estimated to be significant percentage of all recipients. (AP)

A discussion about a proposed national park east of Baxter State Park turned heated during a public meeting in northern Maine. East Millinocket residents met on Wednesday to discuss the proposal, which will be the subject of a non-binding vote on June 25. The park would be 75,000 acres that are owned by Roxanne Quimby, founder of Burt's Bees. Another 75,000 would be a recreation area. Maine Woods Coalition organized Wednesday's meeting and opposes the park plan. Residents in attendance say they are conflicted about which side to believe. (AP)

David Rockefeller is marking his 100th birthday by offering a gift of his own to Maine residents: 1,000 acres of woodlands, streams and carriage roads abutting Acadia National Park. The retired CEO of Chase Manhattan Bank and grandson of oil tycoon John Rockefeller Sr. is transferring his Little Long Pond property to the Mount Desert Island and Garden Preserve, describing it as a "gift to all the people of Maine." The transfer will take place this summer in Seal Harbor. The Rockefeller name goes way back on Mount Desert Island. David Rockefeller has spent summers in Seal Harbor since his birth on June 12, 1915. His father, John Rockefeller Jr., built the carriage roads that are now part of Acadia National Park. (AP)

Frustrated shipbuilders at Bath Iron Works have staged a demonstration. Hundreds of workers on Thursday marched down Washington Avenue to the headquarters of Local S6 of the Machinists Union. Workers are angry that the shipyard is trying to make them perform more tasks and that the shipyard is trying to subcontract some items currently made in Bath. The Navy shipbuilder says it needs to cut costs to remain competitive. Workers say they have ideas for cutting costs but that the company isn't consulting them. (AP)

Augusta city councilors have approved a tax increment financing tax break to help Maine Instrument Flight build a new hangar at Augusta State Airport. According to the KJ, the plan would return half the taxes on the new development, about $4,800 a year, to Maine Instrument Flight for the next 18 years. Councilors said the deal won’t cost the city any revenue and will bring economic development to Augusta.   Maine Instrument Flight has needed more storage space for planes for years, but it hasn’t been able to add a new hangar until now. (centralmaine.com)

Uber is expanding in Maine to Bar Harbor, Ogunquit, Old Orchard Beach and Kennebunk. According to the KJ, the mobile-app car service will start service in those towns tonight at 5pm. The expansion includes more than 15 other beach communities along the East Coast. The company already offers service in Greater Portland, although Portland officials are considering regulations that the company said could force it to out. (centralmaine.com)

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