Category Archives: Referendums

A new bipartisanship in Augusta? Not really.

Now that Democrats are in charge in Augusta, everything is hunky-dory. Right? After all, that is the gist of a recent headline appearing in the Bangor Daily News. The gist of that reporting, by Maine Public, suggests former Gov. Paul LePage was a grump, and Gov. Janet Mills’ administration offers a sunny new approach to […]

Hanging chad type problems could come to Maine with ranked-choice voting

Remember the “hanging chad” guy? During the 2000 presidential election, his picture was made famous, lifting his glasses and staring intently a ballot to try and divine the voter’s intent. I’m a little concerned we may have a Down East version this June. I’ll save my “your-guess-is-as-good-as-mine” predictions as to the election’s outcomes for next […]

Signature gatherers interfere with voting

Want to see a bunch of adults get excited about stickers? Wait until Election Day and watch for lapels proudly proclaiming “I Voted!” They joy is remarkable; after all, Democracy is the worst form of government. Except for all the others that we have tried. One of the greatest developments in the American experiment has been […]

Government consolidation starts with two letters — L-A

Think two letters can create a major political debate? How about “L-A”? Beyond the casinos, MaineCare expansion, more than $100 million in new debt, and a technocratic constitutional amendment all appearing on the statewide November ballot, Maine’s municipalities have put their own questions to voters. In Portland, rent control and super-NIMBYism are up for debate […]

Laws are tricky; that’s why voters have other people make them

Laws are tricky things. Just ask the Portland City Council. This past week, seven members went on a learning junket out into Portland’s harbor to inspect safety improvements at the historic Fort Gorges. The problem? Maine’s “Freedom of Access Act.” It specifies that, when three or more public officials are gathered in any official capacity, […]

Tax reform or the Augusta War: Which way will Maine go?

“The Great Shutdown of 2017” will be remembered much like the “Aroostook War”; an interesting historical footnote in Maine’s history. The apocryphal casualties of the latter consisted of one cow. For the former, two vehicles of Republican representatives may or may not have been vandalized by individuals who missed the childhood lesson on using their words. […]

Will the real will of the people please stand up?

“The will of the people!” That is one of the rallying cries shouted over the past few weeks, whether in Portland City Hall or under the capitol dome in Augusta. Somewhat sardonically, it was also the name of a socialist revolutionary terrorist organization in 19th century Russia, counting Vladimir Lenin’s older brother amongst its members. […]

Don’t be silly, let’s get things done in Augusta

Tuesday’s advisory opinion by Maine’s top justices that, effectively, ranked-choice voting was unconstitutional brought several reactions. Some people offered “told you so.” Others cheered the ruling on policy grounds. Some of the proposal’s proponents accepted the decision and declared a movement for a constitutional amendment. And, yes, we saw some provocative political statements trying to make […]