As an environmental lawyer, a lifelong supporter of raising the minimum wage and an advocate for affordable housing as a Community Housing of Maine board member, it is hard for me to urge a “no” vote on exactly these issues. But I must.
The concepts behind referendum questions A, C, D and E deserve thoughtful and careful consideration by our City Council. But as drafted, the code changes that these referendum questions will effect do not achieve what they reach for.
As a former city Planning Board member I know what the negative impact will be if these referendum items are passed: less, not more affordable housing, and fewer, not more jobs. Good intentions do not always make for good policy. Such is the case here. Please vote “no” on Questions A, C, D and E.
Elizabeth Boepple
Portland
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.