Putting a spotlight on the extensive and invasive information that low-income Mainers are required to disclose in order to obtain food stamps, U.S. Rep. Katie Porter of California fired question after question at a former Maine official credited with implementing that burdensome policy during a U.S. House committee hearing last week. Sam Adolphsen, a right-wing…
In one of his last of a series of regular appearances on the WVOM radio morning show, Governor Paul LePage attacked other leading politicians in the Maine Republican Party, blaming them for widespread election losses last month. “You go back eight years ago and this state was solidly red – House, Senate, Blaine house,” prompted…
The Trump administration has appointed former head of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services Mary Mayhew to run the federal Medicaid program, sparking an outpouring of condemnation from Maine health care advocates who say the nomination signals the administration’s intent to reduce care for people across the nation. “[The Trump administration] seems to…
This week on the Beacon podcast, Ben, Taryn and Mike analyze the results of the primary contests, including how many voters from each party turned out (and, crucially, where they turned out), why Shawn Moody will be a strong general election candidate, and the contrast Rep. Jared Golden will offer with Rep. Bruce Poliquin. Plus:…
This week on the Beacon podcast, Taryn, Ben and Mike discuss the rapidly approaching election, including MPA’s endorsement of Jared Golden in CD2 (sign up to volunteer here), the “Final Forum” held in Lewiston on Wednesday and the results of the Beacon straw poll in the race for governor. They try to avoid making predictions.…
In an episode highlighting how the increased restrictions on safety net programs proposed by the Trump administration may push people further into poverty, PBS Newshour on Sunday reported on how similar policies in Maine have driven up food insecurity. In 2014, then-Maine Department of Health and Human Services commissioner and current gubernatorial candidate Mary Mayhew under Governor…
This week on the Beacon Podcast, Taryn, Ben and Mike address a half-dozen topics in a Maine Politics lightning round, from ranked-choice voting to the minimum wage to Republican TV debate. One thread that runs through them all is a Republican party that thrives on confusion and chaos. Join us in reading and discussing Doug…
This week on the Beacon Podcast, Ben, Taryn and Mike discuss the state of the race for governor among the Republican and independent candidates and what the departure of Senate President Mike Thibodeau says about the state of Republican politics. Also: Medicaid expansion advocates flood the State House, some labor history, Emma Gonzales’ speech, Ben’s…
2010: The crest of a conservative wave Do you remember what the Maine Republican Party looked like in 2010? It was the peak of conservative energy in Maine, with the high-water mark, of course, being November 2010 when Governor Paul LePage and the Tea Party swept Democrats out of power for the first time in…
Speaking on the conservative-leaning WVOM radio morning show on Monday, former Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner and current Republican gubernatorial candidate Mary Mayhew took aim at the funding mechanism for a citizen initiative to guarantee homecare for seniors and Mainers with disabilities. She joined guest host Tom Hicks in complaining that the homecare…