Inside Augusta
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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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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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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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After years of resistance, Maine is rolling out new rules for autocycles
Hundreds of new Maine laws will take effect later this week. Among them...
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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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Governor Mills lets RCV for presidential elections become law without her signature
Maine Governor Janet Mills decided Friday to let LD 1083, “An Act To...
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Friday is the deadline for Governor Mills’ decision on LD 1083
Governor Janet Mills has until the end of the day Friday to decide...
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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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Lawmakers reject 3 of 4 bonds, approve RCV for presidential elections during special session
Lawmakers returned to Augusta on Monday to debate several bonds proposed by Governor...
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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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The governor’s outstanding inauguration debt poses real questions for state ethics regulators
Maine Governor Janet Mills still has not paid the full cost of her...
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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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Skewed priorities in the Mills administration
Yesterday, Governor Janet Mills announced that her administration has urged the federal government...
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Governor Mills defies ‘foolish, unsupported and ill-advised’ regulations on Maine lobster industry
In a fiery letter sent Thursday, July 11, Governor Janet Mills announced her...
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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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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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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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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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How Augusta overcharges you for milk
To advocates of a limited public sector, there’s a lot to dislike about...
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Proposed workers’ comp changes the wrong step for Maine
In the early ‘90s, times were very different than they are today. Maine’s...
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National Popular Vote fight not over yet
Just last week, an amazing thing happened in the Maine House. Twenty-one Democrats...
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Bill to adopt national popular vote compact fails in Maine House
The Maine House voted to reject a bill Thursday that would bind the...
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How to submit testimony via the Legislature’s new online system
Background The Legislature has developed a new automated tool for submitting electronic testimony....
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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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Mainers have been so active this session, the legislature has new procedures for submitting testimony
It’s true – citizens have been so active this session that the Maine...
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Lawmakers squander opportunity to ease vehicle inspection requirements
In 1994, Maine rolled out the United States Emissions Test, a program that...
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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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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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Maine Open Checkbook should be more transparent
In 2013, former Maine Gov. Paul LePage established the Maine Open Checkbook website...
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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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Home sharing should never be a crime in Maine
Maine’s Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government today is holding a...
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It didn’t take long for tax increases to be proposed in Augusta
It was only a matter of time, right? In a piece that read...
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New analysis shows there are 113,862 regulatory restrictions on the books in Maine
The 2018 Code of Maine Rules is home to 113,862 restrictions and 8.1...
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Why must new vehicles be inspected?
Vehicles are far safer and more reliable than they were nearly a century...
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What issues will Maine lawmakers debate in 2019?
At the start every new legislature, Maine’s Office of the Revisor of Statutes...
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Medicaid expansion is here. Now what?
For the second time in 17 years, Maine has expanded Medicaid. Governor Mills...
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The Legislature fails to make our elderly a priority
Legislative leaders caved to the Maine Municipal Association and watered down my bill....
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Question 1’s new surtax would be detrimental to Maine’s economy
This commentary was originally published in the Bangor Daily News. The state economist recently...
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The legislature has one last shot to get things done
Here we are in August. It’s the dog days of summer, and the...
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Where have the state employee unions been when it mattered?
Last week I spoke to you about the reforms we are proposing for...
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Liberals are holding tax conformity hostage to fund their elections with taxpayer dollars
It’s summer in Maine. We should be enjoying it. Instead, at the State...
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Let’s work together and do the right thing for our seniors
Over the last seven and a half years, the Legislature and I have...
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The Legislature is coming into special session to take the easy way out
A year ago, House Republicans shut down state government to make sure bad...
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‘Reprehensible partisan behavior’ paralyzed the Maine House
Have you ever wondered what government officials do all day? I am going...
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Speaker Gideon kills good legislation that would benefit the Maine people
The Maine people elect legislators to represent them in Augusta. They expect these...
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Adjournment fiasco underscores dysfunctional legislative session
The clock struck midnight, but what did that mean? The second regular session...
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Gun confiscation orders will make Maine less safe
Ever since Cain slew Abel with a rock, human society has struggled with...
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Will Mainers get the chance to weigh in on Universal Home Care?
If you were pushing one of the largest tax hikes in history on Maine citizens,...
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Do the right thing with Downeast Correctional Facility
As Governor, it’s my responsibility to make the tough decisions. The upcoming closure...
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Democrats play politics with our elderly homeowners
I have been working hard to protect our elderly Mainers and to help...
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Maine should resist taxing the ‘sharing economy’
The sharing economy, including platforms like Lyft, Uber and Airbnb, present new and...
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Maine businesses struggle under minimum wage law
Advocates claim that by raising the minimum wage, hard-working Mainers working in these...
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Emergency bill brings common sense reform to in-home care services
One of the few bills making it through Legislative Council this session that...
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A Christmas message from Governor LePage
At this time of year, we gather with loved ones to celebrate Christmas,...
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Legislature did not thwart voters’ will with changes to referendum bills
Perhaps the most inaccurate narrative being pushed by lobbyists and special-interest groups in...
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We must not be fiscally irresponsible in implementing Medicaid expansion
It took a lot of work to balance Maine’s budget, bring fiscal responsibility...
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Legislature votes to delay and potentially repeal ranked-choice voting
The Maine Legislature voted on Monday to delay the implementation of ranked-choice voting...
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Maine’s ranked-choice voting law still needs 16 amendments for proper implementation
For those who attended or streamed the public hearing for LD 1646, “An...
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Taxpayers should not pay to give ‘free’ healthcare for able-bodied adults
Special-interest groups are using the ballot box to push initiatives that are bad...
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Pair of high-profile Republican lawmakers eyeing gubernatorial bid
Two leading conservative lawmakers, Senate Majority Leader Garrett Mason of Lisbon and House...
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Now is the time to invest in Maine’s future
After years of fixing Maine’s balance sheet, now is the time to make...
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Mainers deserve better than rushed budget deals
Where is the accountability in Augusta? Lawmakers agreed on Tuesday to establish a...
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Turnpike tolls are not the answer to better roads and bridges
Our administration has done a good job bringing accountability to the Maine Turnpike...
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House Democrats are afraid of the truth
Policy creation should always be rooted in factual information and statistics. This is...
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‘Opportunity Agenda’ rapidly expands government with your tax dollars
Interesting how the Democrats’ “Opportunity Agenda” converges with the British Labour Party’s recently leaked...
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Let’s Fix Questions 2 and 4 for Working, Taxpaying Mainers
It’s a busy and important day for conservatives in Augusta, where the Labor,...
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Sick of Inspection Stickers?
Are you tired of being forced to have your car inspected every year?...
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LePage Files Lawsuit Against Attorney General Janet Mills
Gov. Paul LePage announced late Monday he has filed a lawsuit in Kennebec...
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Nobody in Maine Asked Angus King for a Lecture on Bipartisanship
I hate it when partisan hacks stink up my Sunday morning news programs....
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Let’s End the National Nightmare of ObamaCare
Let’s set the record straight on a lot of the propaganda you are...
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Empty Analysis and Flawed Statistics: MPA Struggling to Grasp Impact of Question 2
He strikes again. Mike Tipping, the communications director of the Maine People’s Alliance...
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Welfare Funds Should Stay in Maine
Maine needs to enact common sense reforms of its welfare system. The public...
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Regional Services Can Improve Funding for Education
Democrats say they want to reduce property taxes. But they don’t have the...
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LePage Offers Real Solution to Combat Rising School Costs
While liberals ridicule Gov. Paul LePage’s stance on school regionalization, the real issues...
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Ethics Official ‘Disappointed’ in AFL-CIO’s Decision to Hire Goode as Lobbyist
“Consulting” with the Maine Ethics Commission prior to engaging in unethical behavior does...
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Legislature to Consider Removing Cap on Maine’s Charter Schools
There’s nothing more enjoyable as a constituent than seeing your elected officials keep...
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Democrats’ Budget Is One Page of Talking Points
Democrat politicians in Augusta will take every opportunity to spend more of your...
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Brakey Introduces Bill to Keep Unconstitutional Measures Off Maine Ballots
After facing a number of referendums last November with questionable constitutionality, one state...
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Why REAL ID is ‘Dangerous ID’
In a heated legislative session where many important issues divide us, there is...
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Liberal Media Downplays Support at Tip Credit Hearing
I was in awe Wednesday morning. Just after 8 a.m., the halls of...
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Legislators Must Enact Welfare Reform for Future Prosperity
Over the past six years, welfare reform has been at the forefront of...
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The MPA Is in Denial About the Tip Credit
The Maine People’s Alliance (MPA) is looking more like a gaggle of used...
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Former Democratic Lawmaker Accused of Violating Ethics Law
Potential ethics violations are piling up for Democrats in Augusta. Earlier this week,...
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LePage, DHHS Call for Strict Welfare Reforms
Gov. Paul LePage and Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Mary Mayhew...
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The Fallout of Question 2: Increased Taxes for All
Those who read the first half of my take on the aftermath of...
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Say Goodbye to Maine’s Job Creators
The debate around the destructive 3 percent surtax on Maine’s individual income has...
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Maine Can Fund Education Without Taxing High Earners Out of the State
We are going to miss Matt Gilman. Chances are you don’t know him,...
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Question 2 is Already Damaging Maine’s Economy
There’s been a lot of talk in Augusta lately about the implications of...
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Market Must Drive Energy Costs, Not Handouts
Protecting our natural resources is a priority. It is also a priority for...
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Speaker Gideon Threatens House Republicans Over Tipping Scandal
Nearly two weeks after nixing a House Ethics Committee review of Rep. Ryan...
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Tipping Remains Co-Chair as Tax Committee Considers Modifying Question 2
Despite recent controversy surrounding its House Chair, the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation...
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Maine Citizens Seek to Restore Tip Credit
The Maine People’s Alliance is the state’s lone defender of a provision in...
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Time to Do Away With Inspection Stickers
Tired of being forced to have your car inspected every year? Do you...
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Bad Tax Policy Forces Maine Families to Flee to Other States
As your Governor, I want all Mainers to prosper. Providing opportunities for people...
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Ethics Commision Debunks House Dems’ Defense of Ethics Scandal
If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging. Someone should relay this...
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LePage Sends Blistering Letter to Paul Ryan
Since the release of the House Republican “plan” for repealing Obamacare, conservative reaction...
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Take Action Today: Prohibit Taxpayer Funding of Governors’ Campaigns
On February 17th, The Maine Heritage Policy Center testified in favor of LD...
