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This information is for Gardiner residents interested in attending an upcoming caucus: Republican Caucus February 4th, 9:00 A.M. Farrington Elementary School 249 Eastern Avenue, Augusta Caucus Contact Person: Kim Pettengill [...]
Governor Paul LePage has introduced a bill that would encourage greater transparency of financial disclosures from public officials. This bill would improve the current disclosure requirements of Legislators and certain executive employees.In a recent report by The Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, it was discovered that between 2003 and 2010 the state paid nearly $235 million to organizations that were run by state officials or their spouses.
In its original form this bill requires judges add 1-4 years onto normal sentences provided that a District Attorney proves gang affiliation. The “proof” required is flimsy at best. The bill cites one usable method as the use of “reliable sources”. Our members hope that going forward terminology and tactics of this nature are left in Totalitarian regimes where they belong.
The fiscal well-being of our State is critically important to our road to recovery. Currently, members of the Appropriations Committee are working to solve a massive financial shortfall within the Department of Health and Human Services. The $220 million dollar deficit is not a simple problem to solve, but I have provided a common sense approach that will redesign our welfare program to a state of sustainability.
American voters are tired of politics as usual. They want leaders that will put their country before their party, and American interests before special interests. Leaders who will work together to develop fresh solutions to the serious challenges facing our country. We believe a secure, online nominating process will prove that America is ready for a competitive, nonpartisan ticket.
Jim Bergin, co-coordinator of Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition (M-PAC) said today that advocates are deeply concerned about the severity of sending someone to prison for up to forty years (a Class A crime) if convicted of asking a peer to join a “criminal street gang.” Despite volumes of research data showing that “enhanced sentencing”; upgrading classifications for crimes; adding new crimes; and mandatory sentencing for judges does nothing to deter the rate of crime……….
This is an absolute must-see film regarding the extraction of natural gas in North America and, increasingly, in the Northeast region of the US. It is especially urgent for all of us to see this while the natural gas rhetoric is heating up in our own state.
Over the past few months I have written a political column for the Valley Voice covering a wide range of issues with our state government from civics education to fiscal responsibility. Hopefully, I have helped to spur discussions around the dinner table about the potential solutions to the problems facing the economic and political future of this state.
As we approach the new legislative session, I would be remiss not to reflect on the previous session as a benchmark to look forward. When the legislature and the Governor are more concerned about placing an ‘open for business’ sign out by the highway and making whoopie pies the state treat, clearly there is a major disconnect with the interests of the people on Main Street.
On Thursday, December 1, 2011, another Maine community passed a zoning ordinance to regulate wind energy development. Frankfort-a town near Belfast on the Penobscot River -has enacted an ordinance in response to a proposal by a would-be wind developer from New Hampshire. The company wants to build a grid-scale wind turbine facility atop Mount Waldo.
Any issue, not just casinos, should be up to the residents. I, a resident of Saco, should have no say in what other communities choose to do or do not do. On the flip side, if Saco was in a debate over allowing a casino to come in, I wouldn’t want any person outside of Saco residents making the decision at the ballot box.Here’s hoping that local issues are decided by local people and the state referendum can be saved for items that have far reaching affects on all Mainers.
Wahooooooo! Hip hip hip hooray! We did it! Ahem, excuse me. Today is a really good day.Thanks to you – and your hard work – same day voter registration remains law in Maine. This has been quite a journey – and you’ve been with us for it all. The story of this journey started during the legislative session – when the Maine Women’s Lobby, along with many coalition partners, worked to defeat the bill to repeal our 38-year-old same-day voter law.
This all culminates on Tuesday November 8th. That is the day where your voice can truly be heard. You have the power to influence the decisions that govern our lives. This column isn’t meant to tell you how to vote, but instead is meant as a way to stimulate a part of your brain many probably haven’t used since the last election cycle. You don’t have to march in the streets or run for office to get a message out there; you can check a box on a piece of paper or electronic machine.
Governor Paul LePage praised U.S. Senator Susan Collins today for working to ensure passage of a fix that would allow the heaviest trucks to travel on federal interstates in Maine instead of forcing them off the highway and onto Maine’s secondary roads and through our downtowns.
REMINDER: "Trouble Is my Business" on Stage at Portland Stage Company January 24th to February 19th
Jazz Pianist Robert Glasper to Perform at Bates College on February 9, 2012
Weekly Message from Governor Paul LePage for February 4th, 2012
Local Love Muscle Valentines Day Film Festival At Geno’s 2/14/12
The Bill Thibodeau Band at Next Generation Theatre Feb. 11, 2012
George Lopez, Classical Pianist to Perform at Jewett Hall Auditorium, Sunday, February 12, 2012.
February 2012 Deals, Events, News and all things Gritty!
Stop Dirty Tar Sands Oil from Coming Through Maine: Public Meeting Feb. 9, 2012