By LisbonBrad, unverified — Tue, 10/27/2009 - 05:47
Maine PUC- The 3 commissioners look like pretty straight up people. I suspect they depend on staff for the research and "due diligence". There have been press allegations of cozy relationships and industry jobs but I have never seen that substantiated either with commissioners or staff.
Sen. Humphrey also said: "...the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; those who are in the shadows of life; the sick, the needy and the handicapped."
By LisbonBrad, unverified — Mon, 10/26/2009 - 12:07
3/31/08- "In an emergency meeting, the Maine Public Utilities Commission decided protections for consumers it had insisted on "still appear to be adequate." The other states' regulators came to similar conclusions over the weekend, according to the Bangor Daily News."
This is the same PUC that is overseeing windmill projects, Comcast's continuing conversion delays, etc. Perhaps their commitment to the 'due diligence process' needs to be strengthened.
By LisbonBrad, unverified — Tue, 10/20/2009 - 13:30
That's the same PUC that:
1. allowed Fairpoint to take over Verizon's problems
2. has given certain rights to First Wind Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of Evergreen Wind Power III LLC. Try getting information on Evergreen. No website; First Wind describes themselves as a "team" interested in the community, environment, etc. No reference to Evergreen on their website.
I'm a proponent of wind but MPUC's "due diligence" ability scares me.
By LisbonBrad, unverified — Sun, 10/11/2009 - 10:41
There are very complex IRS rules that govern more than just "candidate support" but since this money did not get entered onto the Church's books it is more like the grocery store that asks customers for a $1 for the local food bank. Lobbying is also a permitted function for 501c3's and I am sure the lawyers for the church understand the boundaries. My AG comment was not appropriate to this situation. http://www.asaecenter.org/PublicationsResources/whitepaperdetail.cfm?Ite...
My underlying concern is the "wall of separation" (between church and state) as referenced by Thomas Jefferson in the early 1800's. This concept has been so cavalierly & forcefully breached here & elsewhere that it may never be repaired.
By LisbonBrad, unverified — Sat, 10/10/2009 - 08:56
The Church's tax exempt status should be examined by the AG's office. Presumably some donors are taking a tax deduction which would not be available to them if they contributed directly to the "Stand for Marriage Maine political action committee" or the Church's PAC. What happened to the "separation of church & state"?
LisbonBrad's Comments
Maine PUC- The 3
Maine PUC- The 3 commissioners look like pretty straight up people. I suspect they depend on staff for the research and "due diligence". There have been press allegations of cozy relationships and industry jobs but I have never seen that substantiated either with commissioners or staff.
Sen. Humphrey also said: "...the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; those who are in the shadows of life; the sick, the needy and the handicapped."
3/31/08- "In an emergency
3/31/08- "In an emergency meeting, the Maine Public Utilities Commission decided protections for consumers it had insisted on "still appear to be adequate." The other states' regulators came to similar conclusions over the weekend, according to the Bangor Daily News."
This is the same PUC that is overseeing windmill projects, Comcast's continuing conversion delays, etc. Perhaps their commitment to the 'due diligence process' needs to be strengthened.
That's the same PUC that: 1.
That's the same PUC that:
1. allowed Fairpoint to take over Verizon's problems
2. has given certain rights to First Wind Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of Evergreen Wind Power III LLC. Try getting information on Evergreen. No website; First Wind describes themselves as a "team" interested in the community, environment, etc. No reference to Evergreen on their website.
I'm a proponent of wind but MPUC's "due diligence" ability scares me.
There are very complex IRS
There are very complex IRS rules that govern more than just "candidate support" but since this money did not get entered onto the Church's books it is more like the grocery store that asks customers for a $1 for the local food bank. Lobbying is also a permitted function for 501c3's and I am sure the lawyers for the church understand the boundaries. My AG comment was not appropriate to this situation.
http://www.asaecenter.org/PublicationsResources/whitepaperdetail.cfm?Ite...
My underlying concern is the "wall of separation" (between church and state) as referenced by Thomas Jefferson in the early 1800's. This concept has been so cavalierly & forcefully breached here & elsewhere that it may never be repaired.
The Church's tax exempt
The Church's tax exempt status should be examined by the AG's office. Presumably some donors are taking a tax deduction which would not be available to them if they contributed directly to the "Stand for Marriage Maine political action committee" or the Church's PAC. What happened to the "separation of church & state"?