Letters

Published
October 28, 2015

Letter to the editor: Local Question 2 would cause lasting damage to Portland

While local Question 2 sounds good at first glance, it’s the small print that will cause lasting damage to Portland. If enacted, it would: • Create a mayor-appointed Scenic Viewpoint Task Force to assemble a list of all city views and viewpoints. It will have no term limits, no City Council oversight, no sunset clause […]
Published
October 28, 2015

Letter to the editor: Serious candidates can raise their own campaign funds

Out-of-state money is once again trying to influence a Maine referendum question. Question 1, the so-called Clean Elections Initiative, purports to keep big money out of Maine politics and improve the disclosure of who pays for political ads. Question 1 says it would increase penalties for violations of campaign finance law. If you believe that, […]
Published
October 28, 2015

Letter to the editor: Manufacturers Association urges ‘no’ vote on statewide Question 1

The Manufacturers Association of Maine urges all Maine voters to cast a “no” vote on statewide Question 1 on the Nov. 3 ballot. On the surface, the initiative appears to be about “clean” elections, but if you dig a little deeper, you will learn that the funding mechanism is deeply flawed. If passed, Question 1 […]
Published
October 28, 2015

Letter to the editor: Small business backs statewide Question 1; big business does not

Maine is a small-business state; the majority of people work for or have small businesses. The Maine Small Business Coalition supports fairer wages, Wall Street reform and campaign finance reform. They support statewide Question 1, for cleaner, more open and more transparent elections. The Maine State Chamber of Commerce has a tiered dues and benefits […]
Published
October 28, 2015

Letter to the editor: Keep potholes in mind, support transportation bond

I hope that when Maine goes to the polls Nov. 3, voters will remember how we all suffered from bad potholes this spring and support the transportation bond, which is Question 3 on the ballot. We need to invest in safer, more efficient bridges and highways, and this bond includes $68 million that would be […]

Published
October 28, 2015

Letter to the editor: A $15 minimum wage would devastate Miss Portland Diner

Seven years ago, I brought the Miss Portland Diner back to life. But a $15 minimum wage would devastate it. This minimum would affect not just employees earning below this rate. Every employee would expect a similar increase to keep the status quo. This would result in a payroll increase of 60 percent, or $180,000. […]
Published
October 28, 2015

Letter to the editor: Portland agency can’t support $15 minimum wage

I am the owner of Advantage Home Care in Portland, an agency that provides in-home care to seniors who need help to remain safely at home as they age. While I support the new $10.10 minimum wage passed by the City Council, I oppose the $15 minimum wage on the Portland ballot because of its […]
Published
October 28, 2015

Letter to the editor: Belinda Ray a strong advocate for Portland’s District 1

This election season, District 1 is fortunate to have a number of candidates articulating a shared vision for our city and neighborhoods: workforce housing, the linking of smart development and improved transportation options, and enhanced community engagement to ensure a more inclusive decision-making process in City Hall. Belinda Ray stands out among these candidates. Belinda’s […]
Published
October 27, 2015

Letter to the editor: Doubt how money corrupts? Then just listen to Trump

In her recent letter opposing the Question 1 ballot initiative (Oct. 21), Paula Sutton engages in hogwash, as does M.D. Harmon in his recent column on the topic. Most people know that big-money donors have corrupted the politics of our state and country. To claim otherwise is a deliberate effort to deceive the reader. The […]
Published
October 27, 2015

Letter to the editor: Maine State Chamber’s opposition to statewide Question 1 based on members’ self-interest

The Maine State Chamber’s opposition to Question 1 is disingenuous (“Maine Voices: Vote against Clean Election Initiative to protect Maine’s economy,” Oct. 23). They should have noted that the only tax incentives that would be discontinued to help to pay for Clean Elections are those that are nonperforming. They cite the business equipment tax reimbursement […]

Sign In:

Letters