Tag Archives: Portland

Want to win reelection? Do what you promise.

“Politicians lie.” That is the conventional wisdom, right? It is a bit cynical. After all, most people who find their way into public service have some sort of background in the community. Maybe they volunteer with schools. Maybe they have served in some other local or state office. In almost all cases, they are good […]

Does Maine need mayors?

Mayors.  Who needs ‘em? It’s a fair question in Maine. After all, we are part of a proud New England tradition of town government. Town meetings elect moderators, not to rule, but to keep the peace en route to a resolution of the motions and articles. The role of “moderator” is prestigious through service. It […]

Boycotts don’t resolve political disputes

Well, I agree with Maine Democratic Senate President Troy Jackson on at least one thing. Actually, that is not fair. In 2013, I worked closely with then-Assistant Senate Majority Leader Jackson to temporarily make the names of concealed weapon permit holders confidential. So there are two things we agree on. But I digress. This week […]

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 […]

Employee benefits aren’t as simple as passing a law

It was “paid sick leave” week in Maine. Monday saw a long, drawn-out public hearing in Augusta requiring employers to provide paid sick leave. Tuesday saw a committee of the Portland City Council move a similar proposal forward within the city limits. Both efforts have been led by interest groups. Portland’s has been championed by […]

We need standards on who can vote. Citizenship is a good one.

Who gets a vote? That simple question belies a complex reality facing a new study group in Portland.   Tuesday night, the Portland City Council decided Mayor Ethan Strimling and Councilor Pious Ali’s proposal to permit non-citizens to vote needed more work. The ACLU was worried about it violating privacy rights, while many Portland voters […]

Why Democrats are conflicted about guns

Well, maybe you can make it up after all. Maine Democrats held their state convention last weekend in Lewiston. As with the Republicans, it was a party affair to energize volunteers, hear from hopefuls, and take care of a little bit of business. One of the functions of a convention is to adopt a party […]

The lesson from Tuesday? Buckle up for a wild ride.

Another exercise in American democracy has come and gone. Now, hopefully, the campaigns will get their signs picked up before the snow flies. As we prepare for another Maine winter, what can we learn from Tuesday’s results? Maine is a center-right state. Yes, the retort to this assertion will be “but Medicaid expansion!” However, advocates […]

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, […]