PORTLAND (AP) — Maine voters are getting ready to decide proposed changes to their state’s public campaign finance law as business interests disagree over the measure, the governor calls it “a scam” and a U.S. senator praises the effort to “pull back the curtain on secret money.” The Mainers for Accountable Elections championed the proposal […]
Question 1
Posted inOp-Eds
Maine has another chance for clean elections
On Tuesday, Nov. 3, Maine has a choice with consequences for every election to follow. Shall we vote “yes” to strengthen what we started 20 years ago with the Maine Clean Election Act? Or shall we give up now and vote that big money in our politics is inevitable or even desirable? Question 1 isn’t […]
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Posted inLetters
Clean elections or dirty?
Elections present communities with very strong candidates. It takes courage to run for office. Sadly, it also takes money, and “big money” in elections is destructive of democracy. In this election, voting “Yes” on Question 1 will restore the effectiveness of clean elections. We have all seen terribly destructive negative ads on television or as […]
Posted inLetters
Welfare for politicians
Question 1 asks voters to approve a measure that would triple the amount of tax dollars that could be given to candidates who file as a “clean candidate.” That is not a good choice when medical services for truly needy people were denied this past year because of lack of funds. The possible cost of […]
Posted inLetters
Question 1 is too flawed
Taxpayers, beware of the upcoming election ballot. Question 1 generates serious concerns. This citizen’s initiative proposes changes in the Clean Election Act. It is actually 14 pages of law that can be adopted by a public vote without benefit of amendments or public hearings. Flaws and excesses can remain hidden. Where does clean election money […]
Posted inLetters
Question 1 would not fix anything
Let me get right to the point: Maine people should vote “No” on Question 1. Despite what proponents say, Question 1 does absolutely nothing to limit special interest money going to PACs and political parties. The only thing Question 1 would accomplish is raising people’s taxes by $6 million in order to triple the amount […]
Posted inLetters
Political welfare not needed
Every day, I hear and read about problems with welfare — there is too much or too little — corporate welfare, etc. But now there is a group that is pushing for another form of welfare — political welfare — and it is coming up in the election Nov. 3 as Question 1. Question 1 […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine State Chamber of Commerce opposes Question 1
AUGUSTA — A top Maine business group said Wednesday that it opposes Question 1 on the November ballot, saying the election reform effort’s funding mechanism — rolling back corporate tax breaks — would harm the state’s business climate. The Maine State Chamber of Commerce is the most prominent group to oppose the question since supporters […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. Paul LePage calls Question 1 a scam to benefit the wealthy
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage said Wednesday that Question 1, promoting statewide election reform, is “a scam” aimed at making the “wealthy wealthier and the poor people dumb.” The proposal on the November ballot would boost Maine’s taxpayer-funded election system by increasing its two-year allocation from $4 million to $6 million, adding transparency requirements and […]
Posted inLetters
N. Smith: Creative bear management
Now that the issue behind Question 1 has been settled — a majority of Maine voters believe that doughnuts are the best way to protect themselves from bears — I suggest taking the process a step further. Why not craft legislation that would require all doughnuts produced in Maine be used to feed bears. That […]