Taxpayers, beware of the upcoming election ballot. Question 1 generates serious concerns. This citizen’s initiative proposes changes in the Clean Election Act. It is actually 14 pages of law that can be adopted by a public vote without benefit of amendments or public hearings. Flaws and excesses can remain hidden. Where does clean election money […]
Question 1
Posted inLetters
Clean elections or dirty?
Elections present communities with very strong candidates. It takes courage to run for office. Sadly, it also takes money, and “big money” in elections is destructive of democracy. In this election, voting “Yes” on Question 1 will restore the effectiveness of clean elections. We have all seen terribly destructive negative ads on television or as […]
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Posted inLetters
Question 1 would not fix anything
Let me get right to the point: Maine people should vote “No” on Question 1. Despite what proponents say, Question 1 does absolutely nothing to limit special interest money going to PACs and political parties. The only thing Question 1 would accomplish is raising people’s taxes by $6 million in order to triple the amount […]
Posted inLetters
Political welfare not needed
Every day, I hear and read about problems with welfare — there is too much or too little — corporate welfare, etc. But now there is a group that is pushing for another form of welfare — political welfare — and it is coming up in the election Nov. 3 as Question 1. Question 1 […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine State Chamber of Commerce opposes Question 1
AUGUSTA — A top Maine business group said Wednesday that it opposes Question 1 on the November ballot, saying the election reform effort’s funding mechanism — rolling back corporate tax breaks — would harm the state’s business climate. The Maine State Chamber of Commerce is the most prominent group to oppose the question since supporters […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. Paul LePage calls Question 1 a scam to benefit the wealthy
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage said Wednesday that Question 1, promoting statewide election reform, is “a scam” aimed at making the “wealthy wealthier and the poor people dumb.” The proposal on the November ballot would boost Maine’s taxpayer-funded election system by increasing its two-year allocation from $4 million to $6 million, adding transparency requirements and […]
Posted inLetters
N. Smith: Creative bear management
Now that the issue behind Question 1 has been settled — a majority of Maine voters believe that doughnuts are the best way to protect themselves from bears — I suggest taking the process a step further. Why not craft legislation that would require all doughnuts produced in Maine be used to feed bears. That […]
Posted inMaine
Yes on 1 spokesman charged with shooting a weapon from a vehicle while hunting grouse
A Maine hunter featured on Yes on 1 ads in support of the bear referendum has been accused of using non-fair chase tactics while hunting ruffed grouse. Joel Gibbs, 56, of Lowell, was charged with shooting a firearm from a motor vehicle on Oct. 17 in Masardis, a small town in Aroostook County, after game […]
Posted inLetters
L. Comeau: New way to bait bears
I was born and raised in this state. I fully admit that I am not a hunter but know several friends and family members who hunt for the tradition and for food in the freezer for those long, hard winters. The words “Maine” and “hunting” should be synonymous. The lifestyle and sport of hunting in […]
Posted inLetters
R. Rancourt: Trust the wildlife biologists
With every election, voters are subjected to the usual barrage of confusing information that, in many cases, only serves to confuse the issues and leaves people hoping that they have made the right decision when they vote. The information fed to people in the months and weeks leading up to the election is most always […]