Maine Progressives Warehouse

Maine Reacts to Trump Inauguration

On Friday, as Donald J. Trump was sworn into office as the country’s 45th President, Mainers gathered in the State House’s Hall of Flags to read the U.S. Constitution. Here is full video of the event, hosted by ACLU of Maine:

  Saturday saw the largest number of protesters ever gathered outside the State House complex as part of the…

Mainers Gather at Huge “Save Healthcare Rally” in Portland

Approximately 800-1200 Mainers came together at a rally on the steps of Portland City Hall today, one of dozens of similar events across the country. Here is the full rally:

    Maine Senate Democratic Leader Troy Jackson, who has been a strong advocate for healthcare over the years, gave an impassioned speech:

[youtube=http://www.y…

128th Maine Legislature Standing Joint Committee Chairs, Members

Joint Standing Committees – 128th Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Sen. Paul T. Davis, Sr. Chair (R-Piscataquis) Rep. Michelle Dunphy, Chair (D-Old Town) Sen. Thomas B. Saviello (R-Fran…

Source: 128th Maine Legislature Standing Joint Committee Chairs, Members

128th Maine Legislature Standing Joint Committee Chairs, Members

Joint Standing Committees – 128th

Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Sen. Paul T. Davis, Sr. Chair (R-Piscataquis) Rep. Michelle Dunphy, Chair (D-Old Town)

Sen. Thomas B. Saviello (R-Franklin) Sen. James F. Dill (D-Penobscot) Rep. Ralph Chapman (D-Brooksville) Rep. Roland Danny Martin (D-Sinclair) Rep. Margaret M. O’Neil (D-Saco) Rep. Russell J. Black (R-Wilton)† Rep. Carol A. McElwee…

Veto Day Score Card

Not nearly as epic as last year’s list and hopefully less dramatic! A reminder that a 2/3s vote of members present in both legislative chambers is necessary to override the governor’s veto. Here goes:

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(HOUSE CALENDAR)

1. LD 365, “An Act To Provide a Tax Reduction for Modifications To Make a Home More Accessible for a Person with a Disability.”

2. LD 419, “An Act To Establish…

Hiatus Over- Back At It!

Just a general announcement that my tenure as Sanders 2016 Western Maine RFO is over and that I intend to pick up where I left off on other projects, assignments and the like.

~Andi

Taking a break from photo, video journalism and overall freelance reporting in the State House for awhile and announcing tonight that I have accepted a position as the new 2CD Field Organizer (Lewiston Office, Western Counties) for the Bernie Sanders 2016 presidential campaign.

As they say, #FeelTheBern!

Once again, the video of Senator Sanders in Portland last year.

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Bernie Sanders 2016 Campaign Announces Maine Working Class Cabinet

Today at the State House, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign announced the creation of the Maine “Working Class Cabinet.” Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap will chair the committee. From his prepared remarks:

“Bernie Sanders is the strongest advocate for working families this country has seen since President Roosevelt nearly 70 years ago. He plans to build a strong economy for all…

LePage Holds Presser to Address Racism Charges, Blames Media For Bad Drug Coverage

Maine Governor Paul LePage found himself in hot water recently, as his racially-charged comments made regarding Maine’s heroin crisis at a Bridgton town hall event made international news.

“These are guys with the name D-Money, Smoothie, Shifty… these types of guys… they come from Connecticut and New York, they come up here, they…

Maine Coalition Submits Signatures to Put Minimum Wage Increase on 2016 Ballot

Last Thursday, Mainers for Fair Wages submitted 75,000 plus verified signatures to Secretary of State Dunlap’s office to place a minimum wage increase on the November ballot. Supporters and signature gatherers assembled for a rally in the State House’s Hall of Flags.

Mainers for Fair Wages, a coalition including the Maine People’s Alliance, Maine Small Business Coalition, and Maine AFL-CIO,…

Trio of New Maine Unions Announced

Maine AFL-CIO announced the formation of two new unions last week:

57 workers at the Red Cross in Portland voted to organize a union with Teamsters Local 340. They work to set up and administer blood drives.

39 workers at the Central Maine and Quebec Railway voted to organize a union with the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, or SMART. These new…

Maine House Rejects HO #34, 96-52

Last Thursday the Maine House of Representatives took up House Order 34, “Establishing the House Special Investigative Committee”, sponsored by Rep. Ben Chipman (D-Portland), calling for a special committee to investigate allegations of multiple incidences of wrongdoing by Governor Paul LePage. Ultimately the House voted 96-52 to indefinitely postpone the measure, effectively killing any further…

Maine House Release Resolution Condemning Governor Paul LePage

Statement put out by Maine House Democrats this evening:

House resolution affirms lawmakers’ commitment to Maine values Resolution includes pledge to honor commitment of public office

AUGUSTA – The Maine House on Thursday will take up a resolution that affirms lawmakers’ commitment to the standards the public has the right to expect of its public officials.

“We have the opportunity to show Maine…

Sanders 2016 Campaign Opening Maine Office

The media advisory reads as follows:

Bernie 2016 To Open Maine Headquarters in Portland

PORTLAND, Maine – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ campaign on Wednesday will formally open its Maine headquarters. The office opening will feature local elected officials, campaign staff and volunteers. This is the first official campaign office in Maine.

Here is the itinerary:

Wednesday, January 13th

6 p.m. Bernie…

Maine House Democrats Discuss 2016 Legislative Priorities

On the first day of the 2016 session, the Maine House Democratic caucus took time before the start of the day’s work to lay out their objectives for the remainder of the 127th session.

From a press release:

Speaker of the House Mark Eves (D-North Berwick) opened the press conference by saying, “We’re focusing on priorities that…