“The powers of this government shall be divided into 3 distinct departments, the legislative, executive and judicial.” That is Article III, Section 1 of the Maine Constitution. Take a look at the order of the departments. As the pandemic has unfolded, we have seen plenty from the executive branch. Gov. Janet Mills has exercised her […]
OK, millennials, here’s the deal. I’m writing this on the chance that you have come home from away for Thanksgiving weekend. Maybe, while having a cup of coffee at your parents’ home, you look down at the counter. By chance, you see a page — web or paper — belonging to the Bangor Daily News […]
One of the most difficult — yet most necessary — things in politics is telling your supporters “no.” You beseech everyone for votes and contributions during campaigns, hoping to receive enough of each to earn electoral success. If it works, you take office; those supporters then proffer their preferred policy prescriptions to the issues of […]
It’s quiet in Augusta. A bit too quiet. And that is saying something now that we are in tourist season. Of course, everything is relative. We are hearing plenty of noise on culture war issues like abortion, conversion therapy, and so-called “red flag” gun bills. Central Maine Power has been in the news as well, […]
Dear Members of the 129th Maine Legislature, On Wednesday, Dec. 5, you will raise your right hand and swear an oath to the Constitutions of the United States and Maine. Then, it’s official. You will hold the office to which you were elected. And the real work will begin. Maine is in an interesting place. […]
Should we run government like a business? That is a question that will be asked over the next several months. Those on the left generally deride this concept, claiming government is different. They aren’t necessarily wrong. After all, in business — or non-profits, or most human organizations designed to work efficiently — there is a […]
“If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. If it stops moving, subsidize it.” America seems to approach infrastructure with Ronald Reagan’s famous quote echoing in our minds. Because infrastructure can be complicated. For certain segments of the internet, hue and cry has been raised over some proposed Federal Communications Commission rulemaking. […]
Wednesday evening saw the Maine Legislature adjourn “sine die,” Latin for “without day.” In more practical terms, it means they are done. Until January. Thank goodness. As is tradition, the final day of the session was “veto day.” Legislators returned to the House and Senate to consider vetoes by the governor, as well as minor […]
