{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/newsletters/december-2013-e-newsletter-constituent-services-edition", "December 2013 e-Newsletter: Constituent Services Edition", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. King joins with representatives from the Maine State Society and Wreaths Across America to lay a wreath on the Capitol steps to honor and remember military service members and their families who are separated this holiday season.\r\n\r\nSen. King tours the Advanced Structures and Composites Lab at the University of Maine in Orono.\u00a0\r\n\r\nKing chairs meeting of the Senate Rules Committee.\r\n\r\nKing meets with a constituent at Capitol Coffee.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nResources for Constituents\r\nIn an effort to help Mainers access resources offered by our federal government, I have\u00a0highlighted a few cost-saving opportunities and support services that have been made available. Please feel free to forward this information along to other agencies or individuals in need of the services described below.\u00a0\r\nIn addition, if you need to meet with a constituent services representative please stop by one of our state offices or join us at one of our\u00a0\"Your Government Your Neighborhood\" outreach locations.\r\nTaxes\r\nI\u00a0have included some\u00a0resources that will hopefully save you both money and time filing your taxes:\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Saver's Credit: Low and moderate-income employees now have an opportunity to save for retirement and earn a special tax credit in 2013 and for future years. Learn more about who is eligible here.\r\n\r\n\r\nFor employers: Hire Veterans by Dec 31 and Save on Taxes. If you plan to hire soon, consider hiring veterans. If you do, you may be able to claim the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit worth thousands of dollars. Lear more here.\r\n\r\n\r\nFor tax-exempt\u00a0organizations:\u00a0The IRS recently produced this user-friendly online form to help folks through the process of applying for their organization's tax exempt status. Check it out here.\r\n\r\n\r\nVeterans\r\n\r\n\r\nVeterans to Receive 1.5% Cost-of-Living Increase in 2014. Veterans, their families, and survivors receiving disability compensation and pension benefits from the Dept. of Veterans Affairs will receive a 1.5% cost-of-living increase in their monthly payments beginning Jan. 1, 2014. Learn more here.\r\n\r\n\r\nMy HealtheVet: The Department of Veterans Affairs is urging all veterans and service members to start using www.myhealth.va.gov to access important VA healthcare information and services. The benefits of My HealtheVet Personal Health Record include, VA prescription refills, VA notes, VA Blue Button, and secure messaging with VA healthcare providers.\r\n\r\n\r\nHousing\r\n\r\n\r\nAre you in need of housing advice? Counselors from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) are available to help guide you through buying a home, renting, default, foreclosure avoidance, credit issues, and more. Best\u00a0of all - their services are provided\u00a0free-of-charge! For a list of the HUD-approved housing counselors in Maine click here.\r\n\r\n\r\nImmigration Services\r\n\r\n\r\nU.S.\u00a0Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently\u00a0redeveloped their website to provide a more user-friendly interface\u00a0including a better navigation\u00a0system and tool selection for visitors. Now at www.uscis.gov you can find free online tools to:\r\n\r\n\r\nCheck your case status\r\n\r\n\r\nMake an appointment at your local USCIS office\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFind tips on what to do before you file your applications\r\n\r\n\r\nLearn about case processing times\r\n\r\n\r\nFile certain forms electronically\r\n\r\n\r\nChange your address\r\n\r\n\r\nResearch your family's immigration history\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\nPlease visit https://www.king.senate.gov\u00a0for more updates and let us hear from you. Our toll free number in Maine is 1-800-432-1599.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/newsletters/december-2013-e-newsletter-constituent-services-edition"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8854682091623545, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}