A follow-up to episode #16, this episode goes over whats know of the appeal filed by Maine’s Secretary of State’s office against the courts decision in favor of the Public Interest Legal Foundation’s complaint against Secretary of State Sheena Bellows.  See Read More for Show Notes

…

Maine’s November 7th election will have 8 referendum questions.  One through four are proposed citizen initiatives and five through eight are proposed amendments to Maine’s constitution.

…

Episode 16 reviews a multi-year dispute between the Public Interest Legal Foundation and Maine’s Secretary of State’s Office over access to Maine’s voter registration data.  This episode reviews some of the timeline leading up to the court’s decision and the consequences of that decision.

Continue Reading for Show Notes…

According to reports from the Governor’s Newsroom, from June 26th to July 19th, Governor Janet Mills signed 92 bills into law.  Combined with the previous 465 bills signed during this session, the total number of bills signed into law by Governor Mills has reached 554.…

This episode looks at the latest legislative attempt to have Maine join the National Popular Vote Compact, which would have Maine’s presidential electoral votes go toward the national popular vote winner regardless of how Mainer’s voted, and why Maine election law is complicating those efforts.  Go To Continue Reading for Show Notes.

 …

This episode takes a look at the 5th attempt within the legislature to remove the 100MW cap protecting Maine renewable energy sector from competing against Hydro-Quebc.  We look at the arguments for and against its removal and potential solutions to this legislative deadlock. Go to Continue Reading for Show Notes.

…

LD 165 , A bill sponsored by Rep. Bridgeo (D-Augusta), would see the governor’s current $70k salary increase to $125k. The proposed 44% increase would be in addition to the bill’s creation of a $40k annual expense account for the governor as well.…

Gov. Janet Mills gave her State of the State Address to the Maine Legislature this past Tuesday.  Rebranded as a “State of the Budget Address”, this was Janet’s third such address to the state’s legislature since first taking office in 2019.  Below is the full transcript of the address.…

Its been a year since Gov. Mills demanded all Maine’s healthcare, nursing home & EMS workers receive a Covid vaccination.  This episode reviews several articles that provides context to the public & legal debate occurring as the mandate was first handed down as well as where we are a year later. Go to Continue Reading for Show Notes.

…

 …

Former US House Rep Bruce Poliquin faces off against Caratunk councilwoman Liz Caruso for the Republican spot to face Democrat incumbent Jared Golden in the November Mid-terms. I go over some of what Ive heard Bruce speak on and why I think its problematic for Maine’s 2nd district. Click Continue Reading for Show Notes

…

In a previous episode it was discovered that sometime between 2016 and 2020 the total number of registered Democrats overtook voters with no party affiliation as the largest voter block in Maine. This episode uses voter registration data to look at the signs leading up to “the switch” and the circumstances of when it actually happened.

This episode also looks at absentee voting trends by comparing absentee ballot totals over the past 3 presidential elections.   Continue reading below for sources & show notes.

…

This episode looks at Maine’s most recent special election for House District 27 and what it says about Maine’s wider political landscape.  Continue Reading Below for Show Notes

…

This episode starts off with a look at LD 1307, An act to Restrict the Sale, Purchase and use of Fireworks in the State, as well as some other fireworks legislation to see where Maine’s fireworks policy is failing.  The episode also explores a potential problem with LD 1779, An Act to Protect Election Integrity by Regulating Possession of Ballots and Voting Machine Devices.  Continue Reading Below for Show Notes

…

The Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety voted to move forward with LD 1307, which, as its currently written, would effectively be a full repeal of the 2011-2012 act making consumer fireworks legal in Maine.…

Sponsored by Representative Pierce of Falmouth and referred to the Committee on Veterans & Legal Affairs, LD 1779 is designed to do 3 separate things. The first two relate to possession of ballots and municipal clerks and has significance that will likely be explored in the future, but its the third thing that caught my attention.

…

The Committee on Health and Human Services recently held a public hearing for LD 867, an emergency bill prohibiting mandatory covid-19 vaccinations in the state.  If passed, covid-19 vaccination mandates would be forbidden for 5 years, starting from when the emergency use authorizations were first enacted, to allow for safety testing and investigations into possible reproductive harm.…

This is the final part of a 3 part series looking  at the New England Clean Energy Connect Project.  This episode looks at Hydro-Quebec and a handful of their largest hydroelectric facilities;  The Beaurharnois, The Bersimis, The Manic-Outardes, The Romaine and James Bay Projects.  The episode also looks into the environmental cost of this type of clean energy for the local environment and for the entire region. Continue Reading Below for Sources & Show Notes

…

At the End of TMP Podcast #7 – Maine Election Process Part 1, I mentioned 3 documents Id be using for Part 2 and that because it would be some time before Ill pull a show together for Part 2, I would put these up in the meantime for anyone wishing to see them.  They are….
…

This episode goes in deep on Maine’s Election process at the municipal level.  I explain the specific roles and responsibilities of those involved in pulling of a Maine Election on both Election Day & the 3 Months of Absentee Voting leading up to Election Day.

We get even deeper exploring the rules around 3rd parties helping voters cast absentee, how “Get Out The Vote” groups get your address and the legality of making copies of blank ballots vs. making copies of completed ballots. Continue Reading Below For  Sources & Show Notes.

…