Adam Crepeau
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Taxes
Liberal lawmakers propose creating new commission to propose ‘fair’ and ‘equitable’ tax increases
Members of the Maine Legislature’s taxation committee will hold a public hearing Tuesday...
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Education
Lawmakers to address the grave emergency of electric school buses
Lawmakers on Maine’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee are holding a public hearing...
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Labor
Minimum wage and overtime changes come with unintended consequences
On January 1, the state’s minimum wage and overtime exemption thresholds increased by...
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Inside Augusta
The new year brings changes to state and local laws
In addition to resolutions, 2020 brings new changes to state and local laws....
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National
Age to purchase tobacco products rises from 18 to 21 nationwide
In December, President Trump signed a $1.4 trillion spending package that included a...
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Commentary
Understanding Governor Mills’ 10-year economic plan
Governor Janet Mills earlier this month released her 10-Year Economic Development Strategy for the state,...
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Healthcare
The individual mandate is unconstitutional. What’s next?
On December 18, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit...
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Inside Augusta
Governor Mills finally resolves inauguration debt and receives $2,000 fine
On Wednesday, the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices fined Governor Janet...
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Inside Augusta
TCI would raise gas prices by up to 17 cents per gallon, do little to curb emissions
The Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI), a regional collaboration of 12 Northeast and...
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Commentary
Maine must fund waitlists for people with intellectual disabilities
On October 8, 2019, the Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) released...
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Commentary
New California law threatens workers in the ‘gig economy,’ and it’s spreading to other states
A new law that changes how workers are classified in the “gig economy”...
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Labor
Public unions want more special favors from Maine lawmakers
On October 23, Maine’s Legislative Council voted to advance LR 3100, a legislative...
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Inside Augusta
How to fix Maine’s transportation funding shortfall
In June, Gov. Janet Mills signed LD 945, a resolve that created the Blue...
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Commentary
Should a prescription be necessary to purchase vape products?
Last month, Maine’s Legislative Council allowed LR 2765, “An Act To Enact Restrictions...
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Inside Augusta
Is it feasible to provide a universal basic income in Maine?
Earlier this year the legislature passed LD 1324, a bill that creates an 11-person...
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Election Center
Portland City Council allows RCV expansion to proceed after activists fail to obtain ballot access
On Monday, Portland City Councilors voted unanimously to put a measure on the...
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Energy Policy
Ratepayers will suffer if state government forcibly consumes the assets of CMP and Emera Maine
During the First Session of the 129th Legislature, Rep. Seth Berry introduced LD 1646,...
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Daily Catch
Should the government be able to use facial recognition technology?
The Portland City Council voted Monday night to postpone consideration of a proposal...
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Commentary
Maine should end the practice of home equity theft
In Maine and 12 other states, local governments have the ability to steal...
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Occupational Licensing
New report shows Maine could boost revenue through licensing reform
It’s no secret that the fees and requirements necessary to obtain an occupational...
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Taxes
Maine doled out more than $31 million in tax abatements in 2018
In 2015, the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) released Statement Number 77, advising...
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Labor
Public workers are working hard to protect their rights after the Janus decision
In 2018, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that requiring public-sector workers to...
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Election Center
RCV triggered in Portland mayoral election while NYC voters approve the flawed system
On Tuesday, Portland residents went to the polls to cast their ballots to...
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Energy Policy
Gas and diesel tax outlined in TCI framework would hurt Maine’s most vulnerable
The following letter was submitted by The Maine Heritage Policy Center to the...
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Daily Catch
To help small farmers, this Maine city needs to update its zoning regulations
Over the last few months, the debate regarding the future of Auburn’s Agriculture...
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Energy Policy
New clean energy initiative could increase gas and diesel prices for Maine consumers
In June 2010, under Governor John Baldacci, eleven states and the District of...
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Labor
Alaska state employees union wants the courts to suppress its members’ First Amendment rights
This summer, Alaska Attorney General Kevin Clarkson released a formal opinion that said...
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Energy Policy
Maine’s largely symbolic renewable mandates are hurting ratepayers
In an attempt to curb the effects of climate change, state governments across...
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Occupational Licensing
It’s time for Maine to recognize occupational licenses issued by other states
Maine is currently the oldest state in the nation and is experiencing a...
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Inside Augusta
Lawmakers submit nearly 400 bills for consideration in Second Session
They’re at it again. On September 27th, lawmakers were required to submit all...
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Regulations
Overregulation threatens efforts in Maine to expand broadband
The internet in Maine is getting faster and easier to use than ever...
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Election Center
Lawmakers should end all political fundraising at polling stations
Last session, lawmakers considered LD 218, a bill that would have prohibited Maine...
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Citizens' Initiative
Complaints about signature gathering practices are nothing new in Maine
News outlets across the state last week reported that some signers of the...
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Energy Policy
Governor Mills’ empty promise to the United Nations
When she addressed the United Nations earlier this week, Governor Janet Mills announced...
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Citizens' Initiative
Should ballot questions be reserved for general elections?
When the legislature adjourns from session, all non-emergency legislation that was passed becomes...
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In Depth
Unaccommodating regulation threatens the future of tiny homes in Maine
Tiny houses are a relatively new phenomenon and are becoming a modern lifestyle...
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Inside Augusta
Does Maine have 500 problems that only government can solve?
The Constitution of Maine explicitly states all bills passed by the legislature become law 90...
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Healthcare
Childless, able-bodied adults are driving cost and enrollment under Medicaid expansion
Governor Mills’ first move in office was to sign an executive order expanding...
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Daily Catch
New hands-free driving law takes effect on Thursday
On September 19th, many bills passed during the First Regular Session of the...
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Labor
Alaska AG moves to protect public employees’ First Amendment rights
Last month, Alaska Attorney General Kevin Clarkson released a formal opinion that said...
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Education
Unity charter school approved to fill 10th and final spot available in Maine
Hundreds of bills failed to become law in the First Regular Session of...
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Healthcare
What does a state-based health insurance exchange mean for Maine?
Last week, Governor Janet Mills announced that Maine will pursue a state-based health...
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Commentary
Activists failed to secure enough signatures to expand ranked-choice voting in Maine’s most liberal city
This week, Portland city officials notified Fair Elections Portland, a pro-ranked-choice voting group,...
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Election Center
Will Governor Mills sign or veto bill that expands RCV to presidential elections?
The Maine Legislature reconvened on Monday to consider four bond proposals that failed...
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Taxes
Lawmakers missed a prime opportunity to cut taxes in first session
It’s no secret that Maine state government’s primary sources of revenue are generated...
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Inside Augusta
Lawmakers and voters should reject new borrowing
Earlier this week, Governor Janet Mills issued a proclamation calling the Maine Legislature back to...
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Daily Catch
Mainers can’t afford corporate welfare
Conservatives are often accused of favoring wealthy individuals and corporations over those in...
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Commentary
Maine Legislature reconvenes next week to consider governor’s bond proposals
Governor Janet Mills issued a proclamation Monday calling the legislature back to the...
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Daily Catch
Portland wants a new license for alcohol manufacturers. Is that really necessary?
When Portland City Councilors approved the city’s budget in May, it included a...
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Taxes
Maine’s burdensome death tax should be repealed, not expanded
When it comes down to it, Maine is an amazing place to live...
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Labor
Allowing public employees to strike would disrupt our schools and communities
The state of Maine currently prevents employees who work in the public-sector from...
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Labor
Proposed overtime rules will result in lost wages and benefits
The Maine Legislature next session will consider another bill that would be harmful...
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Fiscal
What Maine could learn from New Hampshire about fiscal responsibility
Last month, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu vetoed a two-year state budget because...
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Education
Does Maine spend too much on school administration?
There has been quite a bit of debate in recent years about whether...
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Tech Policy
Net neutrality stifles investment and innovation
Lawmakers and special interests always seem to title their bills with buzzwords that...
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Inside Augusta
Lawmakers will consider more than $2.1 billion in bonds next session
The Maine Legislature is slated to debate more than $2.1 billion in bonds...
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Taxes
Lawmakers and the governor were unable to resist the urge to tax
In their first year at the helm of state government, Governor Janet Mills...
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Inside Augusta
Skewed priorities in the Mills administration
Yesterday, Governor Janet Mills announced that her administration has urged the federal government...
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Labor
Maine should follow Kentucky’s lead on right to work, labor reforms
Last week, Governor Matt Bevin gave the keynote address at The Maine Heritage...
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Inside Augusta
REAL ID is a privacy-eroding overreach by the federal government
In 2005, the United States Congress passed the REAL ID Act, with the...
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Inside Augusta
What did Maine lawmakers accomplish in 2019?
The first session of the 129th Legislature adjourned in mid-June, making it critical...
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Inside Augusta
Governor Mills found her veto pen and used it against government unions
After the First Regular Session of the 129th Maine Legislature came to a...
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Inside Augusta
Maine now has automatic voter registration. How will the new system impact our elections?
In a utopian society where there is no ill will or mistakes made...
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Election Center
National Popular Vote would steal Maine’s voice in presidential elections
On May 14th, the Maine Senate took the first step to allocate Maine’s four...
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Citizens' Initiative
Maine House passes bill to make wording of ballot questions ‘as simple as is possible’
The Maine House on Tuesday voted to approve a bill that would simplify...
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Tech Policy
Efficient expansion of broadband requires responsible, targeted investment
This week, lawmakers on Maine’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee will hold a...
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Education
Debt-free college bill ignores troubling realities of higher education in Maine
The Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business heard several bills last...
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Biennial Budget
Governor Mills’ revised budget grows spending but sends $20 million to rainy day fund
Since Governor Janet Mills released her biennial budget proposal in February, the fiscal...
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Labor
Speaker Gideon’s paid leave plan illustrates lawmakers’ propensity to tax and spend
The First Session of the 129th Maine Legislature has been filled with proposals...
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Citizens' Initiative
Stop unconstitutional initiatives from appearing on the ballot
Lawmakers are considering a flurry of ballot initiative reforms this session, from requiring...
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Education
Maine cannot afford ‘debt-free’ college
This session, lawmakers in the Maine Legislature are considering a pair of bills...
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Tech Policy
Maine should embrace autonomous vehicle technology
It’s no secret that our state is inhospitable – to put it mildly...
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Education
Empower Maine families with school choice
Quite often we hear politicians and special interests say that the quality of...
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Liberty
Free speech should never be censored on college campuses
Lawmakers on Maine’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee on Monday held a public...
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Labor
LD 1451: Mandatory disclosures of private information as a condition of employment
Are you a public employee? Public sector labor unions in Maine want access...
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Commentary
Lawmakers to consider plastic bag ban, paper bag fee
It has not been difficult to find bills this legislative session that would...
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Inside Augusta
Maine would be wise to undo its ‘blue laws’
Maine is one of a small handful of states that still impose so-called...
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Taxes
Now is the time to reduce Maine’s tax burden
There has been plenty of legislation proposed this session that would increase taxes...
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Taxes
Sin taxes are not the solution to Maine’s public health problems
Lawmakers on Maine’s Taxation Committee on Thursday, April 11 held public hearings on...
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Labor
Lawmakers decline eliminating a licensing board that did not meet for four consecutive years
Occupational licensing exists to protect public health and safety in professions that pose...
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Inside Augusta
Don’t fall for the seasonal gas tax gimmick
Roads across Maine are in rough shape this time of year, and a...
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Medicaid Expansion
Medicaid expansion enrollment is on track to surpass projections
Medicaid expansion enrollment under Governor Janet Mills is taking off – almost 16,800...
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Inside Augusta
Able-bodied adults should work to receive Medicaid benefits
Lawmakers on the Health and Human Services Committee yesterday held a public hearing...
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Election Center
Ranked-choice voting has not produced what we were promised
Lawmakers on the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee on Wednesday considered a bill...
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Taxes
Income tax reductions will help tackle Maine’s demographic challenges
Lawmakers frequently pursue legislation under the guise of improving Maine’s economy and attracting...
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News
Efforts to broaden the ‘death tax’ in Maine will backfire
The estate tax, often referred to as the “death tax,” is assessed by...
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Inside Augusta
Maine Open Checkbook should be more transparent
In 2013, former Maine Gov. Paul LePage established the Maine Open Checkbook website...
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Citizens' Initiative
All Mainers should have a say in what issues make it on the statewide ballot
Lawmakers on the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee Monday held a public hearing...
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Inside Augusta
Vehicle inspections do not make our roads safer
Lawmakers on the Transportation Committee today will hold a public hearing on LD...
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Medicaid Expansion
Medicaid expansion will cost our state dearly
Liberals in Augusta are likely elated with the latest communication from Maine’s Department...
