Tag Archives: Justin Alfond

Democrats slay welfare reform under cover of darkness

On Monday night, Augusta Democrats — desperate to kill off as many good ideas to save taxpayers money as they could before session ended — held a series of debates and votes on welfare reform initiatives. Last year, welfare reform proved to be a crucial issue for Republicans across the state. GOP candidates, from Gov. […]

Democrats’ tax scheme shows they missed the message

Last November, Maine voters sent a clear, if somewhat mixed message. By re-electing Gov. Paul LePage over Democrat Mike Michaud and giving Republicans control of the Maine Senate, they were endorsing the GOP’s message of fiscal reform and responsibility. By keeping the House in Democratic hands (with a reduced majority), they were telling Augusta politicians […]

Keystone veto reveals hollowness of Obama’s jobs rhetoric

We have often heard Democrats — both in Maine and nationally — try to claim the mantle of job creation away from the GOP. They cast themselves as technocrats, only interested in doing what’s best for the economy without regard for their ideological agendas. They’ve adopted these talking points from Republicans in an attempt to […]

It’s time to stand up and fight taxnesia

For the past two years, a curious malady seems to have gripped Maine Democrats. It’s most pronounced in legislators who have served since 2010, but it’s spread to new legislators as well, to varying degrees, and even is appearing in regular Mainers. It’s a form of amnesia – or, perhaps, self-hypnosis – that is remarkably […]

Left-wing group steps out of bounds

Here in Maine, we have a tradition of civility in our politics, especially at the legislative level. Even those negative ads that are sent are generally rather tame, highlighting legislators’ votes rather than attacking them personally. When either party does cross the line, they are frequently called out, often by their own supporters. Last week, we […]

Everything, including ‘right to work,’ should be on the table in a conversation about Maine jobs

Gov. Paul LePage has made a bold proposal with his “Open for Business” zones, expanding upon the Pine Tree Zones established under former Gov. John Baldacci. This is exactly the kind of reform Maine’s economy needs to make our economy more competitive. Making it easier to do business here is what will attract businesses, not […]