Beacon Podcast

This week on the Beacon podcast, we hear the audio of Sarah Bigney of the Maine AFL-CIO testifying about her own experiences of sexual harassment and assault at the State House and sharing the experiences of nine other women who work as legislators, staff and lobbyists, who shared their stories with her anonymously.

Also: Gov. LePage’s last State of the State address and Ben brings some substantive policy discussion to the race for governor.

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 Flickr/Terry Ross

This week on the Beacon Podcast, Mike talks with attorney Andy Schmidt about requesting access to the golf ball with his face on it through the Freedom of Access Act and broader problems with the LePage administration’s flouting of the FOAA law.

Also, Taryn interviews Kenney Miller of the Health Equity Alliance about a new criminalization law representing a wrongheaded and racist approach to addressing Maine’s opioid crisis.

Plus: the CMP hearing, single payer health care, the State of the State address and the National Industrial Recovery Act (for some reason).

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 Flickr/Hiroyuki Takeda

From the work of the Maine Human Rights Commission to Medicaid expansion to Confederate soldiers from Maine, Gov. Paul LePage made a series of clearly false statements in an hour-long appearance on Maine Public Radio on Tuesday, with very little pushback. On the podcast this week, Ben, Taryn and Mike go down the list.

Also: Highlights from the delivery of more than 67,000 signatures to put homecare for all on the ballot and Rep. Lawrence Lockman’s racist comments about an immigration bill. (Contact the Appropriations Committee members here.)

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 Gov. LePage official website.

This week on the Beacon Podcast, Ben Chin, Taryn Hallweaver and Mike Tipping offer their quick takes on a wide range of issues, from the Maine GOP’s lies about creating a fake news site to the bill to cut the minimum wage to Jackman’s Neo-Nazi town manager and much more.

Also, Taryn interviews Nickie Sekera of Community Water Justice on the appointment of a Nestle official to the state Board of Environmental Protection.

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.

This week on the Beacon podcast, Taryn and Mike talk about the opioid bill hearing this week, how the legislative solutions pale in contrast to the growing problem, and why Maine police officers are speaking out the loudest for a treatment-based response.

Also: the gubernatorial money race, the Maine GOP’s fake news, and how the latest phase of the #metoo movement has led to some cultural reconsideration.

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.

The legislative and policy fights Governor Paul LePage apparently wants to have in his last year in office are ones he already lost months or years ago. This week on the Beacon Podcast, Ben Chin and Mike Tipping discuss the upcoming legislative session, attempts to reform care after a study found dozens of uninvestigated deaths among Mainers with mental disabilities, and the state of play of the Dream Act.

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.

This week on the Beacon Podcast, Ben Chin, Taryn Hallweaver and Mike Tipping discuss the latest assault on direct democracy in Maine and each highlight three trends they’re watching for 2018.

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 Alicia Barnes

This week on the Beacon podcast, Ben Chin and Taryn Hallweaver dissect the themes and tactics of the Lewiston mayoral race that Ben lost narrowly on Tuesday.

Also: a senate race in Alabama goes a bit better for progressives, and the fight to convince Sen. Susan Collins to vote against the Republican tax bill continues to escalate.

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 Instagram/stephenbrownlikethecolor

This week on the Beacon podcast, Sarah Bigney of the Maine AFL-CIO describes what it was like to be arrested in Sen. Susan Collins’ office in Bangor and what you can do to help stop the Republican tax breaks for the wealthy and health care repeal.

Also on the podcast, Taryn, Ben and Mike discuss what it would mean for Rep. Chellie Pingree to join the race for governor and the latest in Ben’s race for mayor of Lewiston.

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.

As Senator Susan Collins moves towards a yes vote on the Republican tax proposal, she’s moving away from previous positions against health care repeal, massive deficit spending and a rational legislative process. This week on the podcast, Taryn Hallweaver, Ben Chin and Mike Tipping discuss the tax break for the wealthy and what comes next.

Also, Shawn Moody and the state of the Republican race for Governor and new numbers from the Maine Human Rights Commission showing sexual harassment complaints have greatly increased in recent years.

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 Flickr/Fortune.