Beacon Podcast

What a few years ago would have been unthinkable – a legislative caucus refusing to perform even the basic functions of their offices – seems likely to happen this year, as no deal has yet been reached for lawmakers to return to Augusta beyond a single veto override day and process a huge volume of legislation, including on some important issues of health and education. On the podcast this week, Taryn Hallweaver breaks down where we are now and the price of inaction.

Also on the show: Max Linn enters and (hopefully) exits Maine politics, the RCV ballot looks great, Maine Magazine has a #metoo moment, the insane drive to cut food assistance, LePage on the minimum wage and child labor laws, it turns out immigrants are some of our best people, and the consequential votes of Sen. Susan Collins are finally getting some real attention.

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 Andi Parkinson.

This week on the Beacon podcast, Ben Chin, Mike Tipping and Taryn Hallweaver interview Democratic gubernatorial candidate Adam Cote, discussing gun safety, clean energy and why some people think he’s more conservative than his policies suggest.

Also: Taryn recaps a ridiculous night in the Maine legislature, as House Republicans shut down the State House in an attempt to delay implementation of Medicaid expansion and roll back minimum wage increases.

Plus: Ranked-choice voting is law and Mike and Taryn share some music and TV recommendations.

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 Jeff Kirlin.

This week on the Beacon Podcast, Taryn Hallweaver interviews Sen. Mark Dion, Democratic candidate for governor. Also: Waterville Mayor Nick Isgro is facing a recall as he continues to lash out, the legislature takes some good votes on immigration, democratic rights and Medicaid expansion, and Mike and Taryn recap the Democratic primary debate.

Plus: We read some listener mail and invite you to join the Beacon book club. We’re reading Rise, Decline and Renewal: The Democratic Party in Maine by Doug Rooks.

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.

Correction: Rep Ben Collings is Sen. Dion’s campaign manager.

Dion official photo.

This week on the Beacon Podcast, Taryn, Ben and Mike address a half-dozen topics in a Maine Politics lightning round, from ranked-choice voting to the minimum wage to Republican TV debate. One thread that runs through them all is a Republican party that thrives on confusion and chaos.

Join us in reading and discussing Doug Rooks’ new book Rise, Decline and Renewal: The Democratic Party in Maine.

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.

Isgro official photo.

This week on the Beacon Podcast, Ben, Taryn and Mike discuss the state of the race for governor among the Republican and independent candidates and what the departure of Senate President Mike Thibodeau says about the state of Republican politics.

Also: Medicaid expansion advocates flood the State House, some labor history, Emma Gonzales’ speech, Ben’s concussion protocols and which Maine politicians know how to react well to children.

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.

Thibodeau campaign photo.

This week on the Beacon Podcast, Taryn, Ben and Mike interview former Speaker of the House and current gubernatorial candidate Mark Eves on how he differs from his opponents, what steps we need to take to provide for Maine seniors and why he isn’t running as a Clean Elections candidate.

Also: Ben diagnoses the Republican Party, the House rejects a minimum wage cut, and Democrat Louis Luchini introduces a bill that chips away at Mainers’ ability to make changes by referendum.

Our sponsor this week is Eliza Hill, in honor of Community Water Justice.

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 Jeff Kirlin.

Dan Doubet of Keystone Progress helps us understand the Democratic victory in a special election for Pennsylvania’s 18th Congressional District, where Trump won by 20 points in 2016, and why it may matter for Maine. Voters focusing on health care and a deep disillusionment with Trump’s tax plan can’t be a good sign for Rep. Bruce Poliquin, who faces a tough re-election this November.

Also: Maine’s tribes and a coalition of environmental groups are taking issue with Attorney General Janet Mills actions in a court case on the other side of the country and Governor Paul LePage’s is again trying to cut taxes for corporations and the wealthy, claiming it’s just an issue of reducing paperwork.

Plus: Student walkouts, Mexican wrestlers, Les Gibson’s bigotry, and an incredibly strange March Madness bracket.

Our sponsor this week is Eliza Hill, in honor of Community Water Justice.

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.

Rep. Poliquin official photo.

This week on the Beacon Podcast, Taryn, Ben and Mike discuss the hate-filled conversation about FGM and how some brave immigrant women, including Fowsia Musse, are fighting back.

Ben interviews two students from Lewiston high School who are helping to lead the gun reform movement in Maine. It turns out the answer isn’t to arm kids with fire extinguishers.

Also: An overview of ranked-choice-voting and how it may affect the campaigns for governor and an answer to a life advice question about how long to leave up your online dating apps.

Our sponsor this week is Eliza Hill, in honor of Community Water Justice.

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 Toms River Fire Department/Flickr.

This week on the Beacon Podcast, Ben Chin and Mike Tipping discuss the state of the gubernatorial race and what we may see next.

They also cover the questions facing LePage’s nominee for the Maine State Housing Authority, what’s next for the homecare for all referendum following the validation of signatures last week, the state’s revenue surplus, student organizing and LePage’s secret golf ball.

Plus: you won’t believe what one representative said to women testifying about sexual harassment at the State House.

Our sponsor this week is Eliza Hill, in honor of Community Water Justice.

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 of Colby College Democratic Debate courtesy of Jeff Kirlin.

The answer is yes, for now. This week on the Beacon podcast, Taryn Hallweaver interviews Corey Roebuck live from the Hannaford distribution center picket line to explain why they were on strike, what happens next and how you can show solidarity.

Also, Ben Chin interviews Maine Attorney General Janet Mills on the opioid epidemic and her policy positions on treatment and incarceration.

Plus: a rant about the Maine Republican Party’s ridiculous defense of their fake news operation, a call for more grassroots candidates and an update on American Olympic curling.

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: Polly Pelletier, a Maine State Nurses Association member, speaks at the Hannaford picket line, courtesy Maine AFL-CIO