Editorials

Published
September 26, 2010

Our View: Put social program goals high on the agenda

Every dollar the state spends is coming under serious scrutiny. That's inevitable when Maine's state government is under intense pressure to make its budget conform to a revenue stream severely impacted by an economic downturn. Along with education, the state spends a lot of its own money -- and many more millions from federal sources -- to assist Mainers who have lost their jobs, lack education, require treatment of physical and mental illnesses, and face incomes that aren't sufficient for their families' needs.
Published
September 25, 2010

Our View: Volunteer park cleanup recalls Great Depression

The legacy of a past financial crisis is still with us in our parks and public lands.
Published
September 24, 2010

Our View: Convention centeridea should stay on agenda

We’re not surprised that the Cumberland County Civic Center board of trustees has come up with some very pointed questions about developer Jason Snyder’s proposal for a new sports arena and downtown convention center. The trustees have been working on a civic center renovation or replacement plan for a long time, and Snyder’s idea comes late in the process with a lot of rounded-off numbers and not much information about where the money will come from. For instance, Snyder estimates that it would only cost $60 million to build a state-of-the-art arena, while the trustees’ estimates put the bill closer to $100 million. If they are really talking about the same thing, there needs to be a detailed explanation about why the numbers are so different.
Published
September 24, 2010

Our View: Maine case shows problems with foreclosure processing

An industry that profits from quick decisions doesn’t serve the whole community’s interests.
Published
September 23, 2010

Our View: Boothby Square will look better without work of art

The city gave 'Tracing the Fore' its best shot, but it's time to let it sink into memory.

Published
September 23, 2010

Our View: Recession ended last year, but many didn’t notice

So, the "Great Recession" has come to an end. That news may have come as a surprise to those who measure the economy's health by unemployment rates, housing starts or other general measures of prosperity that currently are "lagging indicators" -- economic sectors that still fall behind overall growth. It might be even more of a surprise to such observers that the downturn didn't end last month or last quarter, but in the middle of last year.
Published
September 22, 2010

Our View: Court rightto uphold candidate matching funds

U.S. District Court Judge George Singal took a "cautious approach" last week by refusing to grant a motion that would have disrupted this year's gubernatorial election. His decision was the right one. The case would change election law to allow well-funded privately financed candidates to bury publicly funded ones, and Singal should be upheld by the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals.
Published
September 20, 2010

Another View: Columnist wrong on the reason for Maine’s high power costs

It was the loss of a nuclear plant, not deregulation, that made the prices soar.
Published
September 20, 2010

Our View: FEMA maps should reflect only real risks

Federal Emergency Management Agency flood maps are an important tool in helping the agency prevent unnecessary damage from natural disasters. They should be based on the most accurate science available so they can be effective. But that doesn't mean that what has been presented by the agency fits that description. The proposed flood maps are up for a 90-day appeal process in which coastal property owners can and should challenge the assumptions on which they are based.
Published
September 19, 2010

Our View:Iowa egg recall shows need for Maine’s rules

Jack Decoster has farms in several states, but so far his Maine eggs have not been recalled.

Sign In:

Editorials