Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z
Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z is a podcast about municipalities in Maine and the people and policies that bring local government to your doorstep. Through stories, experiences, current events, and interviews with municipal officials this podcast will spotlight the everyday challenges and successes of local governments in our home state. Potholes & Politics is brought to you by Maine Municipal Association. Comments and suggested topics can be sent to mmapodcast@memun.org
Episodes
Kerry Leichtman, Camden and Rockport tax assessor and newly appointed member of the Real Estate Property Tax Relief Task Force, shares his first impressions of the Progress and Poverty Institute‘s interim report. While Kerry found the data to be thoughtfully presented and thoroughly analyzed, he believes further study is needed to fully understand the core issue. As he puts it, the central question remains—do prope...
In the May 11 edition, your podcast hosts, Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell met with members of MMA’s Legislative Policy Committee to discuss the roles and responsibilities of the illustrious committee. This edition continues that conversation with Elaine Aloes (Solon) and Roberta Boczkiewicz (Castine), who bring the elected official’s perspective to the discussion.
MMA’s 70-member Legislative Policy Committee, comprised of two members elected by the councils and selectboards in each of Maine’s Senate districts, plays a critical role in shaping the association’s priorities on the issues before the Maine State Legislature. As the election of the 2026-2028 LPC gets underway, current members Steven Buck, Marc Meyers, and Dwayne Young join Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell to di...
With the Legislature poised to finally adjourn after veto day on April 29, Tanya Emery joins Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell to highlight the successes, disappointments and near misses of the 2026 session.
With committee work wrapped up, the supplemental General Fund budget finalized, and the last edition of MMA’s Legislative Bulletin published and emailed on March 27, the Legislature is on pace for an April 15 adjournment. In this episode of the podcast, Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell discuss how bills move between the chambers, highlight the municipally relevant components of the supplemental budget, and provi...
In a brief, yet informative podcast, Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell highlight several municipal issues moving toward final action as legislative committees conclude their work. With the April 15 adjournment date approaching, committees are finalizing amendments to bills affecting county jail funding, the Essential Programs & Services formula, interim recommendations from the Real Estate Property Tax Relief ...
As the Legislature’s appropriators continue to work on the supplemental budget, committees are establishing their funding priorities. So far, lawmakers have supported state funding for 55% of pre-K to grade 12 education costs, additional funding for county jail operations, and resources to retrofit school buses with critical safety features. Additionally, Tanya Emery joins podcast co-hosts Rebecca Lambert and Aman...
Tanya Emery, MMA’s Advocacy Manager, joins podcast co-hosts Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell to discuss LD 2173, which seeks to amend LD 1829 housing development provisions enacted in 2025. The team also reviews key elements of Governor Mills’ proposed FY 2026 – FY 2027 supplemental General Fund budget (LD 2212), including funding for code enforcement officer support, pre-K to grade 12 school programs, school bu...
In this edition of the Potholes & Politics podcast, Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell share updates on several bills of municipal interest that recently received public hearings and work sessions. They cover initiatives seeking to fulfill a 12-year promise to adequately reimburse providers for ambulance services, including the care provided at the scene of an emergency and community paramedicine (LD 2119); th...
While Mainers were digging out from yet another snowstorm, podcast hosts Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell provided updates on several legislative initiatives. Their discussion covered proposals seeking to establish a recall process for school board members (LD 849); protecting the safety of certain judiciary and state and federal officials (LD 2121); amending the process for revoking a code enforcement officer’...
Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell take to the air for their first Potholes & Politics podcast of 2026. Seeing that both hosts are members of MMA’s advocacy team, it is only fitting that this episode dives straight into the 2026 Legislative Session. The show kicks off with an overview of the work already underway, as legislative committees convened on January 5.
From the turbulent enactment of the FY 2026-FY 2027 biennial budget and new limits placed on concept draft legislation to conversation about home rule and the January 7, 2026, return of the Maine State Legislature, Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell revisit some of the issues discussed on the Potholes & Politics podcast in 2025.
Episode Links:
Real Estate Property Tax Relief Task Force public comment can be sent...
Although MMA Risk Management Services (RMS) staff can’t keep the snow from flying, they can help prevent people from slipping on snow and ice. This week, Dan Whitter, RMS’s Loss Control Manager, joins Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell to share practical tips for avoiding slips, trips and falls. He also outlines the steps municipalities can take to ensure their facilities, equipment, and staff remain safe through...
Nick Cloutier, current assessor for the Town of Scarborough, and soon-to-be Waterville city manager, joins Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell to provide an update on the Legislature’s Real Estate Property Tax Relief Tax Force. Appointed by the Speaker of the House, Nick represents the interests of Maine’s tax assessors on the task force. In this episode, he outlines a range of solutions, from amending current prog...
In this episode, Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell explore the work of the 18-member Right to Know Advisory Committee, which oversees and supports the Maine Freedom of Access Act. They discuss who serves on the committee, what the committee does, why the work maters, and how it impacts municipalities across the state. For those looking for a clear and concise overview of the committee’s role and responsibilities...
Tanya Emery, the newest member of MMA’s advocacy team, joins Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell to discuss housing, which is a hot topic in many circles. With the rapid pace of change and growing demands being placed on municipalities and residents who have helped shape their communities, the intergovernmental relationship is being tested. In what can best be described as a “CliffsNotes” approach, the advocacy team...
On this edition of the podcast, Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell are joined by Kathleen Billings, Stonington’s renowned town manager, a dedicated member of MMA’s Legislative Policy Committee, and one of three municipal appointees serving on the Real Estate Property Tax Relief Tax Force. Kathleen brings a strong coastal community perspective to the discussion. From the rise in second-home ownership and the dwindl...
This week, Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell are joined by Janet Kelle, MMA’s Human Resources Director. With more than 30 years of HR experience, most recently with Husson University, Janet quickly made her presence known at MMA. In this edition, Rebecca, Amanda and Janet dive into the wide range of human resource services available to MMA member municipalities. These include succession planning, employee handb...
This week Carollynn Lear, Bangor City Manager joins Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell to discuss the first meeting of the Legislature's newly established Real Estate Property Tax Relief Tax Force. Of the task force’s 13 voting members, Carollynn was appointed by Governor Mills to represent the interests of larger communities. Having served as the deputy commissioner for the New Hampshire Department of Reven...
On October 8-9, 2025, Maine’s municipal leaders will gather at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor for MMA’s Annual Convention. This year’s theme, From Partnership to Progress, highlights how collaboration can lead to the implementation of successful and sustainable solutions. This week, Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell are joined by Peter Osborne, MMA Education Services Director to discuss the planning that ...
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