As the comment period closed Monday on revised rules for Maine’s new paid family and medical leave program, a diverse group of more than 150 people from across the state told Maine’s Department of Labor that paid family and medical leave is vital for Mainers’ wellbeing and the state’s future. Commenters described their personal experiences…
On the podcast this week, Cate and Esther discuss the presidential debate and its aftermath, Maine’s new online voter registration system and increased rates of Mainers registering to vote. They also discuss Maine’s housing crunch and how it’s affecting college students and some possible solutions seen in Connecticut. Plus rays of hope. You can submit…
On the Beacon Podcast this week, Esther Pew interviews Tess Parks, a policy organizer with Maine Recovery Advocacy Project, on drug policy and recovery. Esther and Ben also discuss the pick of Gov. Tim Walz as the Democrat for VP and how his record in Minnesota compares to Maine. Ask a question or leave a…
This week on the podcast, Esther, Cate and Ben discuss some of the testimony before the Independent Commission on the mass shooting in Lewiston, a new proposed anti-panhandling ordinance in Bangor, and some structural problems with how Maine addresses mental health, homelessness and policing. Plus: Learn how to support a strong paid family leave program…
This week on the podcast, Esther and Cate discuss new rules proposed for the implementation of the paid family and medical leave program passed by the legislature last year as well as the fight over funding for South Portland’s Human Rights Commission. They also talk about a sad book and a happier TV show. Ask…
As the year wraps up, many columnists summarize the events of the past 12 months, reflecting on what they did or didn’t learn. For me that usually entails eating some crow as I look back on my predictions and compare them to actual events. But looking back in this way is a nice opportunity to…
This week on the podcast, we revisit a panel discussion Maine People’s Alliance Senior Organizer Esther Pew hosted one year ago featuring Senior Vice President of Public Affairs of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England Nicole Clegg, Maine AFL-CIO President Cynthia Phinney and Maine Women’s Lobby Executive Director Destie Hohman Sprague. They discuss what full…
Topping the list of policies passed this session that will benefit working Mainers are a paid family and medical leave program, increased funding for child care and a tentative last-minute deal creating good-paying jobs in Maine’s budding offshore wind industry. But labor leaders and economists say other much-needed policies were also left on the table…
Gov. Janet Mills threw cold water on a plan to create paid family and medical leave in Maine when she called on lawmakers last week to limit the wages that workers could receive when they take time off to take care of a newborn or a sick family member. The Mills administration is floating a…
One hundred small business owners have signed onto a letter calling for the Maine State Legislature to pass a paid family and medical leave policy that they say would help them retain workers and compete with larger companies. “As a small business owner, I value my employees and I try to support them when they…