Beacon Podcast

By BeaconNews

Beacon Podcast episodes

July 26, 2019 How Gov. Mills performed a political root canal on bill to expand dental care
Despite her claims to support expanded access to health care, a pocket veto from Governor Janet Mills this month prevented even a study of including dental care as part of Medicaid coverage in Maine. The move came after her administration had already worked to stop dental care from being funded as part of the budget process.
Also on the podcast this week: Senator Susan Collins responds to (and amplifies) President Trump’s attacks on “The Squad” as her favorability crumbles and the ACLU of Maine calls on Concord Coach Lines to stop allowing immigration agents to raid their buses in Bangor.
Plus: An update on South Portland’s Clear Skies Initiative and how you can help house asylum seekers in Portland.
(Photo Illustration by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
33 min
July 11, 2019 Alicia Garza’s meditation on Maine, racism and the nature of power
On the podcast this week, Beacon features the full speech given at the Maine People’s Alliance Rising Tide Award Dinner on June 27 by Oakland-based organizer Alicia Garza. Garza co-founded the Black Lives Matter network, a globally recognized organizing project to end state violence against Black people.
Garza spoke about the plight of immigrants under our policies, its roots in white supremacy, the mounting threat of white nationalism, and the need to build and transform political power if the anti-racism movement is to succeed.
Ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182.
Subscribe to the podcast feed right here using your favorite podcasting app or subscribe using iTunes.
(Photo: Robert Shetterly unveils his portrait of Garza at the Rising Tide dinner, by Dan Neumann)
36 min
June 28, 2019 Victories, defeats, surprises and heroes from Maine’s legislative session
This week on the Beacon podcast, Taryn, Ben and Mike recap the first session of the 129th Legislature, including highlights and lowlights, surprises, champions and what comes next.
Also: an update on the 2020 U.S. Senate race, with new Democratic candidates and new revelations about Sen. Susan Collins.
Plus: Taryn and Mike both have Elizabeth Warren-related rays of hope, but Ben is skeptical.
Ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182.
Subscribe to the podcast feed right here using your favorite podcasting app or subscribe using iTunes.
37 min
June 20, 2019 The case against caging Maine kids
This week on the Beacon podcast, Taryn Hallweaver interviews Tina Nadeau, Executive Director of the Maine Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. They discuss advances made in criminal justice reform this session, especially for young Mainers as well as bills and reforms that fell short and what may yet be taken up by this legislature next year. They also talk about Long Creek and Maine’s approach to incarcerating children.
Ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182.
Subscribe to the podcast feed right here using your favorite podcasting app or subscribe using iTunes.

33 min
June 14, 2019 Maine’s new arrivals are a wonderful opportunity for our state
The asylum seekers arriving in Maine from Angola and Democratic Republic of Congo may present some logistical issues because of the current lack of state and federal-level support, but in the longer term they’re are unquestionably a boon for Maine. Taryn, Ben and Mike discuss what can be done to help, policy changes that should be enacted and the moral weight of this moment.
They’re joined by Dana Connors, president of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, to discuss the positive effects of these new arrivals for Maine’s workforce and economy.
You can help by contributing financially or volunteering your time.
Also: As the clock ticks down in the legislature, Taryn updates us on a somewhat-unsatisfying budget deal and the status of a set of important bills on issues ranging from the estate tax to overdose prevention sites to the national popular vote.
Ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182.
Subscribe to the podcast feed right here using your favorite podcasting app or subscribe using iTunes.
(Photo via Mayor of Portland official website)
35 min
June 07, 2019 Maine Democrats shouldn’t throw away their shot at systemic change
With budget negotiations winding down and the legislative session coming to a close, Taryn, Ben and Mike take to the podcast to discuss a dozen important bills that have advanced over the last week as well as where the budget is falling short. There’s still time for tax fairness and to fund important priorities including health care, education and opioid crisis response.
Plus: Burning trash isn’t clean energy, Ben doesn’t recommend a book for once, and Mike has some new buttons.
Ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182.
Subscribe to the podcast feed right here using your favorite podcasting app or subscribe using iTunes.
32 min
May 31, 2019 Collins claims it’s ‘inappropriate’ to discuss impeachment, but was happy to with Clinton
This week on the Beacon podcast, Taryn Ben and Mike discuss Sen. Susan Collins’ strange claim that a U.S. senator shouldn’t discuss publicly whether the president has committed crimes. In 1998, she said Congress had ‘a constitutional obligation to conduct an inquiry’ into Clinton. They also cite a new report from the Congressional Research Service showing how wrong she was about the Trump tax cuts.
Also: An interview with Oamshri Amarasingham, policy director for the ACLU of Maine, on the newly-passed internet privacy bill.
And Kenney Miller, executive director of the Health Equity Alliance, joins to discuss the importance of funding the safe syringe law in the budget.
Plus: Updates on the state budget negotiations, final approval of the paid sick days law and some book, podcast and TV recommendations that will give you some hope.
You can ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182.
Subscribe to the podcast feed right here using your favorite podcasting app or subscribe using iTunes.
(Photo via Getty Images)
46 min
May 24, 2019 CMP’s corridor would carry renewable energy, so why are climate advocates opposed?
This week on the Beacon podcast, Ben and Mike attempt to answer a listener question on the climate impacts of the CMP corridor.
Also: A legislative update on the Earned Income Tax Credit, immigration bills, abortion rights and more.
Plus: Why does Sen. Collins engender more anger than other conservative politicians?
Get a Lead with Love pin at leadingwith.love
You can ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182.
Subscribe to the podcast feed right here using your favorite podcasting app or subscribe using iTunes.
(Photo via Creative Commons/Flickr user Idaho National Laboratory)
38 min
May 17, 2019 As the South goes full Handmaid’s Tale, Maine expands abortion rights
With the passage of a bill to guarantee insurance coverage for abortion and good prospects for a law ending the ban on physician assistants and nurse practitioners performing the procedure, Maine seems to be bucking a national trend.
Those are just two of many legislative vehicles racing through the legislature right now. This week on the podcast, Taryn, Mike and Ben discuss a slew of bills targeting Maine’s opioid epidemic, national popular vote legislation, new vaccine requirements, whistleblower protections, a ban on conversion therapy, a bill to end racial profiling and more.
Plus: clips of gripping moments of testimony from all over the State House, and Ben’s new favorite song.
You can ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182.
Subscribe to the podcast feed right here using your favorite podcasting app or subscribe using iTunes.
(Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
36 min
May 10, 2019 Rep. Berry has a plan to end CMP’s climate obstruction, by taking them over
This week on the Beacon podcast, Taryn, Ben and Mike celebrate the passage of the paid time off in the House and Senate and Rep. Seth Berry joins to discuss his bill to turn CMP and Emera into a consumer-owned utility. The public hearing for his bill will be Tuesday, May 14th.
Also: What’s wrong with Portland? And a look ahead on opioid legislation and workplace protection enforcement.
Plus: Why are some Maine Republican legislators defending the Confederacy?
Read more about the Prosperity Coalition at mainebeacon.com/prosperity.
You can ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182.
Subscribe to the podcast feed right here using your favorite podcasting app or subscribe using iTunes.
51 min