As long as Maine earns money from gambling, in its varied and sundry forms, the state must offer treatment for gambling addicts. Cutting such programs for lack of use isn’t a justifiable excuse for abdicating this arguably moral responsibility.Here’s what has happened: In November’s budget curtailment, Gov. John Baldacci took $35,000 for gambling addiction services […]

We tried to find fault with LD 290, Rep. Jon McKane’s (R-Newcastle) bill to allow intra-New England sales of health insurance. We were predisposed to the idea, which didn’t help our objectivity. But in fairness, we did endeavor to consider all the drawbacks.There are regulatory issues. Policies sold in other states may not comply with […]

“Let who ride, decide” is the mantra of motorcyclists about mandatory helmet laws. This state hasn’t required helmets since 1977; riders have vigorously fought subsequent attempts to impose this requirement on them.It’s worth the fight. Helmets aren’t a civil liberties issue, but a lifestyle issue, rooted in the independent mindset that comes with two-wheeled motorized […]

Please join Editorial Page Editor Anthony Ronzio and Sun Journal columnist J Dwight for a live, online chat at noon today on sunjournal.com. Dwight is a professional investment adviser and advisory board member of the Maine Heritage Policy Center.They’ll take questions about the economy, bailouts, taxes, cross-border shopping, TABOR II and the excise tax referendum.But […]

Please join Editorial Page Editor Anthony Ronzio and Sun Journal columnist J Dwight for a live, online chat at noon Monday, March 16, on sunjournal.com.Dwight is a professional investment adviser and advisory board member of the Maine Heritage Policy Center.They’ll take questions about the economy, bailouts, taxes, cross-border shopping, TABOR II and the excise tax […]

An interesting finding: The Maine Municipal Association, in an analysis of school reorganization in its newsletter, the Maine Townsman, found a correlation between distance from Augusta and voter approval of consolidation plans.The capital’s influence wanes over distance, it seems.However, the MMA notes, there’s no broad conclusion to draw from this observation. “Too many variables go […]

Please join Editorial Page Editor Anthony Ronzio and Sun Journal columnist J Dwight for a live, online chat at noon Monday, March 16, on sunjournal.com.Dwight is a professional investment adviser and advisory board member of the Maine Heritage Policy Center.They’ll take questions about the economy, bailouts, taxes, cross-border shopping, TABOR II and the excise tax […]

Cheers and jeers from around the news:• Cheers to a $20 “Rescue Card” for hikers. Legislation from Rep. Tom Saviello, an independent from Wilton, has broached this idea. It’s a novel answer for an evergreen problem – rescuing unprepared or reckless people from the wilderness of Maine.Accidents happen in the Great Outdoors, and the state […]

Bolstering home-based services in Maine is a compassionate solution to the problem of long-term elder care. Allowing seniors to stay home, rather than move into nursing facilities, allows important continuity in their lives and their communities.It’s also a cost-effective solution, as at-home care is less expensive – and a slower-growing expense – than nursing centers. […]

Gov. John Baldacci’s State of the State speech struck the right tone – it was timely, sober, thoughtful and comprehensive. The governor neither glossed unfortunate realities nor offered empty platitudes. He spoke plainly, like someone who knows the score.It was the speech Maine needed – unvarnished, uplifting and honest. Gov. Baldacci put his agenda forward, […]