Over the past year, there have been numerous instances of top-down solutions being offered — by lawmakers in Washington, D.C. and Augusta alike — to address urgent, unprecedented problems. The COVID-19 pandemic and the devastation it brought are chief among them. It was a challenge that needed the full support and resources from our largest governmental institutions. Unfortunately, this top-down approach has far too often become the norm, and it’s happening right now in Augusta. Once again, Maine lawmakers are seeking to override local governments and this time they would implement mandatory 5-percent franchise fees for cable and video programming…