Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z

Much delayed first legislative breakdown of the second session has dropped. This week we only go over what has happened for the First week of February though staff has been underwater with carryover initiatives during the entire month of January.

We very much hope the Legislature will adjourn mid-April as planned but until then, the proposed legislation is painful thus far. To that end we encourage you to subscribe to the...

Why should you care about stormwater? What is a MS4 regulated community? Why do people pick up their dog poo and put it in a bag only to dump it on the trail or in the storm drain? What is a harbor trout? 

In this episode, Rebecca Squared & Amanda the new kid talk with Stormwater Super Heros - Giants of municipal water protection activities; South Portland's Stormwater Coordinator Fred Dillon and Portland's S...

The sensationalized headlines around heated municipal meetings targeting municipal tax assessment changes, and property reevaluation haven't offered much in the way of educating the public around the root causes of Mill Rate  and property tax bill increases.

So Potholes & Politics is taking a deeper dive. Trust us...this is 58 minutes you won't want to miss. (Hint: It ain't because of those "greedy&...

This week we are highlighting one of the conversations from MMA's 87th Annual Convention held at the Augusta Civic Center, October 4 & 5, 2023.

This year's convention theme was "Lead, Motivate, Communicate" and featured dynamic speakers like Leila Brammer, Director of Outreach and Instructional Development of the Parrhesia Program for Public Discourse, University of Chicago on "Civic Leadershi...

While it seems like we may have been on vacation, the intersession work has been in full swing and Legislative Committees including Judiciary and Housing are back at it next week!

This episode we dive into the Maine Law Enforcement Accreditation Program managed by Dirigo Safety and speak with one chief in the tail end of the accreditation process; Jason Warlick of Damariscotta Police Department on the benefits of being a ...

Last year, LD 290, An Act To Stabilize Property Taxes for Individuals 65 Years of Age or Older Who Own a Homestead for at Least 10 Years,  was enacted with little discussion and a host of very expensive unintended consequences.

This year, the law was amended to address those consequences and bring property tax relief where it was most needed. However, it will now be up to municipal officials to address the fall out of pub...

Rebecca Squared took a break from Augusta last week and spent some time talking with local government leaders in Aroostook County. The week before they hit the National League of Cities Staff Convention in Boston.

What are the  unique challenges of the northern communities, what makes them special, and what do Augusta policy makers need to understand about the 5 hours of Maine north of  the Augusta Bubble?

In thi...

Well, the 1st Session was meant to end June 15, but we are in the 1st Special Session that won't end....at least amicably so it seems. Here is where we are this week...and soon we will be in your communities too! 

LD 1857- Resolve, to Establish a Public Safety Health and Wellness Grant Pilot Program, sponsored by Rep. Lynn Copeland of Saco. Reconsidered, House amendment “A” provided the Department of Public Safety wit...

Our necessary hiatus from our weekly podcast has been afforded a brief reprieve. Advocacy staff have been drinking from a firehouse of legislation and hearings on platform bills that have been waiting since cloture for printing and assignment to committee hearings. 

For the first time, MMA has needed to hold a May LPC meeting as bills are still cranking out with significant municipal impact, assigned short turn around pub...

Episode 14 - Planning for ADU's, School Board Election Timing, Funding Jail Health Care

Much delayed episode in a midst of a crazy session!
This week we break down the public hearings on MMA Platform bills on:
  LD 665 - An Act to Extend the Date by Which Compliance is Required for Affordable Housing Development, Increased Numbers of Dwelling Units and Accessory Dwelling Units, Sponsored by Rep. Allison Heple...

Episode 13 - Public Safety Cardiac Health, Chicken Fingers & Weed

This week, Lambo & Grahambo breakdown legislation from March 23rd Legislative Bulletin;
Rebecca Graham has a sit down with Dr. Benjamin Stone of Sigma Tactical Wellness at the MFCA Professional Development Conference last week who discusses how to identify the real risks to public safety employees at greater risk to cardiac event and one way to a...

As we prepare for Holocaust Remembrance Day, Maine Municipal Association, Maine Chiefs of Police Association, and several other stakeholders had the opportunity to receive an important history lesson in context from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C.. In this episode, Rebecca Graham sits down with Noel March who facilitated  bringing a special law enforcement program out of D.C. to Maine through the Maine Communi...

Episode 12 - The Greed & Weed Episode
With surprise guest star, Dexter Kimball future MMA podcast host.

This week our Legislative Bulletin we cover MMA's platform bill for Cannabis Revenue Sharing LD 88 -An Act to Provide Qualifying Municipalities a Percentage of Adult Use Cannabis Sales and Excise Tax Revenues, sponsored by Rep. Sean Paulhus of Bath;

Provide and update on LD 422 - An Act to Eliminat...

Episode 11- The Newspaper Empire Strikes Back!

This week we break down hearings on:
LD 422- An Act to Eliminate the Requirement That Municipalities Provide Public Notice in Newspapers, sponsored by Rep. Daniel Newman of Belgrade 
and preview:
LD 405 - An Act to Prevent False Reporting Leading to Evacuation , Shutdown or Lockdown sponsored by Sen. Ann Carney of Cumberland County
and MMA platform bill wi...

Episode 10 - ELDT, What to do with Dead Bodies & Engineering Projects Over 100K

A Qui*t (We don't say that word out loud, just like actors refer to the "Scottish Play") week in Augusta on the municipal front except for our monthly LPC meeting, trainings targeting municipal public works and CDL training, and bills of interest. 

This week we break down Entry Level Driver Training work arounds, rev...

Episode 9 - Tax Acquired Property, Elections & Cops Oh My!

 This week, an exhausted Potholes Crew, Rebecca Squared, break down legislative proposals around: 

LD 101 - An Act to Return to the Former Owner Any Excess Funds Remaining After the Sale of Foreclosed Property 

LD 34 - An Act to Require a Person to Show Photographic Identification for the Purpose of Voting

 LD 237- An Act to Require a...

The Legislature is back in session and back in person! 
What has changed since Covid? What has remained? How does it effect the public policy debate? These will be the continued questions we explore. 

This week our podcast and Legislative Bulletin covered bills effecting municipal operations and the public hearings that happened. 

5:00 - LD 202 - Clarifies the rules on sales of cannabis products at outdoor eve...

Episode 7 - New Year, New Legislature, New Co-Host

How does the Advocacy Team determine what bills to place before the Legislative Policy Committee to determine the municipal position on any Legislative proposal? 

What is more important than a title of a bill?

What is in store for our newest Co-Host and part-time advocate full time Municipal Issues Specialist, Rebecca Lambert? 

Will Potholes &...

Housing and Homelessness in Maine is primarily discussed through the lens of Maine's largest cities. This episode Potholes and Politics features three local government leaders, Aroostook County Administrator, Ryan Pelletier, Madawaska Town Manager, Gary Picard and Presque Isle City Manager, Martin Puckett discussing the housing crisis, and growth in homelessness in Maine's largest county, and the collaborative way local g...