Over the years, policy debates about guns have leaned heavily on principles of fairness to individuals (responsible gun owners) and individual rights (Second Amendment). These principles —fairness and citizens’ rights — are foundational to our democracy and essential to uphold when new laws are enacted. The debate about gun safety, however, misses the mark if […]

Mainers are counting on legislators’ support of the Maine Trails Bond, L.D. 1156, a bill to support the development and maintenance of recreational trails. As the vice president of the Western Foothills Land Trust, the committee chair of the Norlands Washburn Living History Center Trails and Outdoor Recreation Committee, a member of the Streaked Mountaineers […]

The Legislature is considering a bill that could potentially be devastating for our rural hospital. L.D. 1639 would impose government-mandated nurse staffing ratios on all non-governmental hospitals in Maine (ironically, the majority of the Legislature’s Labor Committee voted to exclude the state’s psychiatric hospitals so it wouldn’t add a fiscal note to the bill). The […]

I am writing to the voters of of Auburn, Durham, New Gloucester and Poland to call attention to Bettyann Sheats, a candidate for Maine Senate District 20. Bettyann has lived in the area for over 30 years, raising a family and running a small business. She is a veteran and is well known for her […]