Monthly Archives: April 2019

Measure growth, cut government, and grow the economy

It’s that time of year. No, not mud season (although it is that too). It is the time when the “Maine Economic Growth Council” — an organization established by law at the end of Gov. Jock McKernan’s tenure — releases its annual report known as the “Measures of Growth.” It takes a snapshot of certain […]

The unspirited approach of taxing sin 

Notre Dame catching fire during Holy Week is a tragedy, but also presents a potential parallel. In the Gospel of John, Jesus told his disciples that he would destroy the Temple and rebuild it in 3 days. It foreshadowed His resurrection, rather than the earthly rebuilding of a physical structure. There is probably an analogy and […]

Collins shows her money. Will her opponents?

Show! Me! The! Money! While the line is popularly associated with the Tom Cruise film “Jerry Maguire,” it probably can also apply to Federal Election Commission filings. At the end of March, candidates raising money for the 2020 election are required to file disclosures showing people the money they raised. Sen. Susan Collins had a […]

Local options sales taxes should remain lost

“Get lost.” It’s not a terribly friendly sentiment. That said, the idea has fractured the partisan divide in Augusta, which means Maine voters can pressure their officials without running afoul of silly political games. In this case, “lost” is an acronym for “Local Option Sales Taxes.” L.O.S.T. Last week, Portland’s Democratic Mayor Ethan Strimling joined […]