This: Contestants say essay contest for Maine inn was unfair
"In a head-scratching reversal of human migratory patterns, the Adams family will pack up and leave the US Virgin Islands for their first-ever trip to Maine."
Related: Winner essay contest awarded country inn
Sorry I didn't read it.
"Paul LePage, Maine’s intemperate governor" by The Editorial Board June 05, 2015
Running for reelection last fall, Maine Governor Paul LePage appeared to regret some of the insulting, pugnacious, and sometimes vulgar remarks that had marred his first term and embarrassed Maine, where state politics tend toward the collegial. Remarking on an ad highlighting some of those gaffes, LePage noted that “not one of those things, I said in the last two years. It was all said in the first two years. So even a Frenchman can be taught to cool down.”
That line seemed to signal a rueful governor intent on political self-improvement.
But last week, LePage was up to his old tricks again. Upset at legislative Democrats for resisting his proposed constitutional amendment to eliminate Maine’s income tax, LePage vowed he would veto every single Democratic bill until the Legislature approved his amendment and sent it to voters for their judgment.
In a long, rant-filled press conference in which he also touched on other frustrations, LePage labeled the Democrats’ behavior “despicable” and said to one Democrat present “shame on you.” He said that the Democratic House speaker “should go back home to where he was born” — California — and that the Senate Democratic leader “should be put in a playpen.”
It’s actually LePage who should be chagrined about his rant. Eliminating the income tax in pursuit of a supply-side will-o’-the-wisp is unwise. LePage should look to Kansas, where supply-side Republican Sam Brownback pushed deep income tax cuts in the hope of triggering a big burst of economic activity and a surge in revenues.
Instead, the result has been a large budget deficit. Kansas lawmakers are now debating how to plug that gap, with the governor himself calling for a sales tax increase. Thus a more progressive tax has been cut, while a more regressive one may increase. If LePage gets his way, Maine would face the same dilemma.
Of course, higher regressive taxes are fine with the Tea Party Republican if they pave the way for income tax cuts. But they would be bad for Maine, a state with the nation’s oldest median age, where many citizens are on fixed or modest incomes. LePage needs to rethink both his policy and his political approach. Sadly for Maine, despite last year’s campaign contrition, the pugnacious Tea Party Republican seems disinclined to do either.
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Looks like Maine is going brown.
Related: In Maine, it’s Paul LePage against the Legislature
Also see:
Police seek ex-boyfriend of dead woman
Budget advances in Legislature
Sea Dogs dedicate seat to POWs
Thousands spent to jail offenders who fail to pay fines, Maine study finds
If I find anything else I'll be sure to link it.
NDUs:
‘Win an Inn’ essay contest did not violate law, officials say
Residents oppose national park plan in vote
FURTHER UPDATES:
Three bodies found in Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Three bodies found in two homes in Boothbay Harbor, Maine
I didn't need to be told twice.
Maine town grieves after 3 in popular family found dead
Maine man killed wife and son then himself, police say
Maine man dies after setting off firework on his head
Dirt bike operator critically injured in collision with car in Maine
Also see:
Maine Governor Paul LePage: The (unlikely) uniter
In Maine, a long history of centrist politicians
Democratic challengers for US House seat from Maine will meet at lobster bake
Who cut the cheese?
