The Maine Polis Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Maine Polis
Investigating illegal Chinese cannabis grows, keeping the Sea Dogs from leaving Maine, a Farm Worker’s Bill of rights and more have all been added to the legislative table for the upcoming second session. This episode discusses a few of those bills and how they could effect Maine policy. Show Notes, Sources & Comments Here
This episodes explores the details of the proposed Pine Tree Power referendum question. Some of what is explored includes how a utility company can be made to sell its assets, the stated purpose and direction of Pine Tree Power, the organization of its governing board and how it compares and contrasts with other electric utilities in Maine.
Show Notes can be found here
A follow-up to episode #16, this episode goes over whats know of the appeal filed by Maine’s Secretary of State’s office against the courts decision in favor of the Public Interest Legal Foundation’s complaint against Secretary of State Sheena Bellows.
Show Notes
EPIC Amicus Brief
Judicial Watch Amicus Brief
US Dept of Jutice Amicus Brief
Episode 16 reviews a multi-year dispute between the Public Interest Legal Foundation and Maine’s Secretary of State’s Office over access to Maine’s voter registration data. This episode reviews some of the timeline leading up to the court’s decision and the consequences of that decision.
Show Notes:
View Relevant Court Documents And PILF Press Releases Here
View Results and Appendix’s for PEW Study – Why Are Millions of Citizens Not Registered to Vote? –
L.D. 916 – An Act To Protect Data Privacy and Security in Elections – Proposed Bill, Amendments, and Final Signed Bill.
LD 916 – An Act to Protect Data Privacy and Security in Elections – Committee Actions & Public Testimony
§196-A. Use and distribution of central voter registration system information
Secretary of State Shenna Bellows Testifying In Support of L.D. 916 “An Act To Protect Data Privacy and Security in Elections” (pdf)
This episode looks at the latest legislative attempt to see Maine join the National Popular Vote Compact, which would have Maine's presidential electoral votes go toward the national popular vote winner regardless of how Mainer's voted and why Maine election law is complicating those efforts.
This episode takes a look at the 5th attempt within the legislature to remove the 100MW cap protecting Maine's renewable energy sector from competing against Hydro-Quebc. We look at the arguments for and against its removal and potential solutions to this legislative deadlock.
Check HERE for Show Notes
Its been a year since Gov. Mills demanded all Maine's healthcare, nursing home & EMS workers receive a Covid vaccination. This episode reviews several articles that provides context to the public & legal debate occurring as the mandate was first handed down as well as where we are a year later. Click Here for Show Notes
Its been a year since Gov. Mills demanded all Maine's healthcare, nursing home & EMS workers receive a Covid vaccination. This episode reviews several articles that provides context to the public & legal debate occurring as the mandate was first handed down as well as where we are a year later.
Maine DHHS Publishes Health Care Worker COVID-19 Vaccination Rates June 22, 2021
Janet Mills considers vaccine mandate for health care workers after 2 hospital outbreaks August 10, 2021
The governor’s gamble: Weighing the potential costs of Mills’ healthcare worker vaccine mandate August 19, 2021
Three Maine nursing homes announced closures this week, and more appear imminent September 1, 2021
Maine allows more time for required vaccinations as new COVID-19 cases nearly double September 2, 2021
Lewiston hospital’s staffing troubles prompt calls for Janet Mills to ease vaccine mandate October 9, 2021
Some healthcare workers resign as enforcement deadline of Gov. Mills’ vaccine mandate approaches October 11, 2021
Mills rejects request by lawmakers, hospitals to amend vaccine mandate October 12, 2021
Mills stands her ground as GOP intensifies pressure on the health care worker vaccine mandate October 15, 2021
Supreme Court Won’t Block Maine’s Vaccine Mandate for Health Care Workers October 29, 2021
Kansas losing $350,000 for not enforcing healthcare worker vaccine mandate March 31, 2022
Maine near top of nation in new COVID cases and hospitalizations. October 17, 2022
It’s Not News, Nor ‘Scandalous,’ That Pfizer Trial Didn’t Test Transmission October 18, 2022
CMS Downshifts on Expectations for Covered Healthcare Provider Staff COVID-19 Vaccination November 4, 2022 SUPPORTING MATERIALS
CMS Vaccine Mandate for Healthcare Workers Blocked Nationwide by Louisiana Federal District Court December 6, 2021
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA MONROE DIVISION Explaining the New COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Health Care Provider Staff December 15, 2021
Federal judge blocks COVID-19 vaccine rulefor health workers in New Hampshire, 9 other states November 29, 2021
Hospitals Confront the Fallout From Supreme Court Ruling on Vaccine Mandate January 15 2022
Former US House Rep Bruce Poliquin faces off against Caratunk councilwoman Liz Caruso for the Republican spot to face Democrat incumbent Jared Golden in the November Mid-terms. I go over some of what Ive heard Bruce speak on and why I think its problematic for Maine's 2nd district.
Show Notes...
Republican congressional primary suddenly turns red hot - Lewiston Sun Journal Republican congressional candidates differ on whether U.S. should aid Ukraine - CentralMaine.com Liz Caruso, candidate for Maine CD2, sits down for Voice of the Voter interview (transcript) Bruce Poliquin seeks to reclaim his old seat in Congress Bruce Poliquin’s Wall Street past raises questions Told to Defund Police, Portland Adds Three “Civilians” to the Force Maine municipalities review police funding, tackle systemic racism after protests Pressure mounts on Maine’s municipal officials to rein in police departments
In a previous episode it was discovered that sometime between 2016 and 2020 the total number of registered Democrats overtook voters with no party affiliation as the largest voter block in Maine. This episode uses voter registration data to look at the signs leading up to "the switch" and the circumstances of when it actually happened.
This episode also looks at absentee voting trends by comparing absentee ballot totals over the past 3 presidential elections.
This episode looks at Maine's most recent special election for House District 27 and what it says about Maine's wider political landscape.
This episode starts off with a look at LD 1307, An act to Restrict the Sale, Purchase and use of Fireworks in the State, as well as some other fireworks legislation to see where Maine's fireworks policy is failing. The episode also explores a potential problem with LD 1779, An Act to Protect Election Integrity by Regulating Possession of Ballots and Voting Machine Devices.
Check Here For Show Notes
This is the final part of a 3 part series looking the New England Clean Energy Connect Project. This episode looks at Hydro-Quebec and a handful of their largest hydroelectric facilities; The Beaurharnois, The Bersimis, The Manic-Outardes, The Romaine and James Bay Projects. The episode also looks into the environmental cost of this type of clean energy for the local environment and for the entire region.
Find episode show notes & sources here
This episode goes in deep on Maine's Election process at the municipal level. I explain the specific roles and responsibilities of those involved in pulling of a Maine Election on both Election Day & the 3 Months of Absentee Voting leading up to Election Day.
We get even deeper exploring the rules around 3rd parties helping voters cast absentee, how "Get Out The Vote" groups get your address and the legality of making copies of blank ballots vs. making copies of completed ballots.
Click here for Sources & Show Notes
This is Part II of the TMP Podcast's analysis of the NECEC Project. In this episode we focus on the 5 companies pushing for this project. We go over their history, subsidiaries and what their presence within New England's energy market looks like. Find Episode Sources HERE
This episode is the first part in a series looking at the New England Clean Energy Connect Project. In this part, we look at how, exactly, a project like the NECEC gets legs in the first place. How does New England's wholesale electricity market work & what's happening in Massachusetts to spur this project forward? Show Sources Listed Here
Posted On: 11/16/2020
On the second episode of The Maine Polis Podcast we take a in depth look at the result in Maine's November 3rd Election. Starting with what's changed and what's staying the same in Maine's legislature and then we'll examine the results of Maine's federal elections.
Posted On: 11/2/2020
On the first episode of the Maine Polis Podcast we take a closer look at Sara Gideon's record in the Maine State House. Gideon is running for a senate seat against incumbent Susan Collins, Lisa Savage and Max Lin.