Ashley M. Ehman

Maine has always been a fascinating place to live and to visit. According to legend, explorer Leif Eriksson reached the coast of Maine in the year 1000. Over the years, the Pine Tree State has developed a culture all its own. Home to commercial and cultural centers like Bangor and Portland, as well as large swaths of untamed wilderness, Maine draws flocks of tourists who come to enjoy lobster rolls, scenic lighthouses, and the famous hospitality of Mainers. This volume introduces the people and places that make the state unique. Filled with key information and colorful photographs, this book shows readers everything Maine has to offer.

Every year, Congress is supposed to pass a budget, balancing military spending with domestic needs like infrastructure, Social Security, and education. This book meets objectives in the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards and describes the steps of the budgeting process in reader-friendly terms. It considers the groups behind passing a budget, including the Office of Management and Budget, the Congressional Budget Office, and the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. The book also explores the reconciliation process, the national debt, and how the different branches of the government intersect while setting economic policy. This volume also considers up-to-date instances of budget items and the consequences of budgets failing to pass, particularly the government shutdowns of 2013 and 2018.