If ever there was a night in Maine politics affirming this state’s progressive values, Tuesday was it. On the biggest votes of the night, from voter suppression to gun safety to raising wages to electing progressives/blocking troglodytes, we simply couldn’t have done better. Heck, the forces of light even beat back an attempt by 1,200…
Maine voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly rejected a proposed voter ID law and approved new gun safety legislation, joining a wave of Democratic victories across the country in the first major electoral test of Pres. Donald Trump’s second term. Voters rejected Question 1, a ballot measure that would have implemented a restrictive voter ID system and…
Man, November is coming up soon, and with it my favorite day of the year – Election Day. So, as my personal public service, I offer you this quick voter guide to the biggest issues on the ballot this fall. The headline says it all, so you don’t really need to read any further, however,…
As prices of everyday essentials like food, housing, and health care climb, the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to the minimum wage is one of our state’s most impactful laws to ensure workers with low wages aren’t left behind. A new analysis by Maine Center for Economic Policy finds the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to Maine’s…
Update as of Aug. 26, 2025: The Portland City Council voted 5–4 on Aug. 25 to advance a modified minimum wage initiative to the November ballot as Question A. The measure would raise the wage to $16.75 in 2026, $17.75 in 2027, $19 in 2028, and tie future increases to inflation starting in 2029. Voters…
I offer some hope this week to Municipal progressive elected officials who are despairing about how the horrible new Republican budget is going to exacerbate income inequality — a few local policy tools that will reverse some of Trump’s economic damage and actually help working-class Mainers. Probably not needed, but just a quick reminder of…
The median market rent in Portland is $2,160. The one month full time take home pay for a minimum wage worker in Portland is about $2,108 (based on $15.50 an hour x 160 hours x .85, the expected take home pay after SS/MC/taxes). That leaves $52 for food, heat, health care, electricity, phone, laundry, transportation…
On Nov. 5, Portland residents will vote on a ballot initiative that would cut the wages of Portland workers, including those who live in surrounding towns, who have to work during a natural disaster or public health crisis. Currently, if the governor or Portland’s city manager declares an emergency due to a natural disaster or…
I don’t spend a lot of time speculating on the motivations of candidates and elected officials. I care much more about what they actually do, or what they will do if elected. Based on what I have seen state Representative and CD2 Republican challenger Austin Theriault, he’s here to help implement former Pres. Donald Trump’s…
Across the country, states and municipalities have recognized that to retain workers, and prevent more people from falling into poverty, the minimum wage must be at least $20 an hour. It is past time for Maine to do the same. In California, the minimum wage for health care workers will be $25 an hour by…