Act 1669 removes a requirement that teachers pass a basic reading, writing and math test to be eligible to teach. The law was signed by Gov. Phil Murphy (D-N.J.) last June.
Alex Lear
Staff Writer
Alex Lear is a lifelong Mainer who has spent 25 years in journalism -- the first 20 as a reporter for newspapers in Damariscotta and Falmouth, then as Opinions section editor for the Sun Journal and now a digital producer with the Maine Trust for Local News. His long-running “Learics” column won first place in the Maine Press Association’s 2023 Better Newspaper Contest. He and his wife Lauren are kept young by their 9-year-old daughter Alaina. Send feedback and suggestions to Alex.
Froma Harrop: Young men who don’t leave home? Is Mama a reason?
Among Americans ages 25 to 34, about 20% of the men are still living with their parents compared with 12% of the women. Fewer young males than females are attending college or job training.
Austin Bay: Greenland: The USA’s next east coast?
Greenland is a major piece in the complex diplomatic, economic and military puzzle confronting the U.S. and its NATO allies with legitimate claims to the Arctic Ocean’s sea lanes and seabed resources: Canada, Norway and Denmark (via Greenland). The claims of these democracies are being challenged by Russia — and potentially China.
Deanne Danforth: America chose Trump, despite warnings
The saying use to be “The way Maine goes, so goes the nation.” That’s no longer true, or Kamala Harris would be the elected president instead of Donald Trump. How long will we remain a federated national democratic republic while being lead by a self-proclaimed dictator the Supreme Court has placed above the law? Trump […]
Glenn Chateauvert: Criticism of Trump cartoon is justified
I write in support of Mark Wood’s letter published Dec. 19 calling out the Sun Journal for the incredibly offensive political cartoon that it chose to print comparing President Trump to Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin and Vladimir Putin, among others. By choosing to put him in with the worst of the worst Time People of […]
Froma Harrop: Congestion pricing finally comes to New York
How bad was the congestion? The intersections were so blocked by cars and trucks that pedestrians couldn’t even see the “walk” signs on the other side. When they figured it was their turn to cross, they would squeeze their bodies between fenders.
Rich Lowry: Trump can’t reverse Biden’s energy policies soon enough
America is an oil and gas superpower. It should be unapologetic about it, and leverage every last drop for our economic and geopolitical advantage.
Stephen Lowit: Maine’s paid family and medical leave program is flawed
I’m writing to expose the flaws within the Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave law as well as the untruths being spread by the Legislature to sway public opinion in favor of it. Despite what people have been told, this tax will in most cases be borne entirely by the employee. Sen. Mattie Daughtry and […]