The 4 topics defining Maine politics in 2022

Radiofreemaine/ August 8, 2022

High-stakes elections for governor and congress were held in Maine this year as the COVID-19 pandemic once again looms over state politics. When lawmakers met the Legislature discussed a significant budget issue, and a subsequent energy referendum planned for later in the year. The four main themes to watch this year in Maine: Covid 19 Maine consistently broke records for COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations throughout December last year; almost two years after the epidemic began. The pandemic endgame is still far off with the introduction of the omicron type, but politics have drastically changed in the past 12 months. More than 80% of eligible Mainers have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Despite the fact that vaccines continue to significantly lower the risk of contracting the virus, more and more people are reporting breakthrough cases because of the more contagious delta form. Democratic governor Janet…

Betting in Maine

Radiofreemaine/ July 15, 2022

Maine Casinos There are two racetrack casinos for betting in Maine: Oxford Casino and Hollywood Casino Bangor. Both casinos in Maine have live table games including craps, blackjack and three-card poker. There is also roulette as well as electronic games like video poker, slot machines, and video keno. Mini-baccarat, Spanish 21, Big 6 wheel, let it ride, Mississippi stud, ultimate Texas Hold ’em, and poker are additional games that some Maine casinos offer. They also provide harness racing pari-mutuel betting. For pari-mutuel betting and casino gambling, the minimum age to gamble is 21 and 18, respectively. If you prefer to play online casino, we can recommend you Casinos Jungle. They review the best casino sites in the US and the best casino games. Slot Machine Payback Percentages in Maine Casinos All electronic gaming machines must provide a minimum return of 89 percent in accordance with state…

Maine unable to stop outsiders from gathering ballot petition signatures

Radiofreemaine/ July 1, 2022

The First Circuit is upholding a preliminary injunction in Maine. There is a mandate that only residents of Maine who are registered to vote there can gather signatures for ballot proposals. This likely violates the First Amendment. There are reportedly only six licensed petition circulators in the entire state. The state law substantially restricts Maine residents’ capacity to place referendums on the ballot. This is according to the Boston-based appeals court. In a 63-page opinion, Chief U.S. Circuit Judge David Barron stated that the law prohibits individuals who want to propose legislation from reaching into a pool of more than 250 million individuals of voting age to aid in the collection of signatures. Also to engage in face-to-face communication designed to bring about political change that accompanies that collection of signatures. According to Obama appointee Barron, the First Amendment probably forbids a state rule. It dramatically limits the number of persons, both…

Abortion verdict certain to affect upcoming Maine elections

Radiofreemaine/ June 14, 2022

Gov. Janet Mills has said she would veto any attempts to erect barriers to women’s access to the surgery. Democrats promptly vowed to fight any moves to enact limits on abortions on Friday.State Republican officials, on the other hand, carefully skirted the subject. They are still expressing support for states’ rights to impose restrictions however whilst not expressing immediate intentions to do so. Access to the procedure won’t change right away in Maine as a result of the Supreme Court’s ruling. But the political discussion leading up to the state’s general election in November, when voters will select a governor and all of the legislators, will undoubtedly be influenced. It became evident on Friday that Republicans leaders don’t think Mainers will accept moves to restrict access. Democrats are still keen to organize voters concerned about abortion rights, however.Dr Demi Kouzounas from the Maine Republican Party stated in a written statement…

Democrats influencing the November ballot in Portland

Radiofreemaine/ June 3, 2022

An announcement by Democrats claims that they have submitted enough signatures to put certain measures before Portland voters in November. The city’s ballot is set to be dominated by a number of progressive economic initiatives; including one that would raise the minimum wage to $18 an hour. The Maine chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America submitted 2,000 signatures for each of its four questions.  That represents a rapid turnaround for a campaign that was just begun earlier this month. It is a comfortable buffer above the 1,500 signatures required to place a question on the ballot. According to the city clerk’s office, the city is now finishing up the signature counts. The four questions centered on housing, salaries, and tourism get to the heart of the economic issues Portland has been dealing with recently. Firm proponents of business are already getting ready to vote against the referendums.…

Independent voters in Maine pushed out by political division

Radiofreemaine/ May 13, 2022

Since the last gubernatorial election, Maine has added nearly 60,000 new registered voters on the internet. This is a voting group sizable enough to influence this fall’s contest between Gov. Janet Mills and former Gov. Paul LePage.During that time, Democrats gained almost twice as many new voters as Republicans. However, information from the Maine secretary of state’s office reveals a growing geographic polarization of Maine voters. In advance of the governor’s contest in November, it paints the landscape in the clearest light yet. The steep fall in voters not affiliated with a major party since just four years ago is notable. In Maine, only 32% of registered voters are not currently enrolled, down from about 37% ten years ago. In a state where two independent governors have been elected, that segment of voters has had a significant role in shaping the political identity for decades.Given…

Workers In Maine Organize First Chipotle Union

Radiofreemaine/ April 27, 2022

An independent union at Mexican Food Chain Chipotle in the United States has officially been formed after workers at a location in Augusta, Maine, acquired union cards from the majority of its employees on Wednesday. The workers have formed a new union they are calling Chipotle United. They claim they are not yet looking to join forces with the Service Employees International Union. That particular Union has been trying to organize Chipotle employees in New York City. Workers at the Augusta location sent a letter to management and Chipotle’s corporate offices informing them of their desire to organize a union, according to the Central Maine Morning Sentinel. It is extremely doubtful that the firm or store management will accept the union’s voluntary recognition without a fight, however. Unionized Workforces A unionized workforce makes it more difficult for employers like Chipotle to abuse its exploited workers.…