http://www.wgme.com/blogs/political-edge/ News 13's Gregg Lagerquist offers his insights on the state of Local and National Politics. en-us Copyright 2011, Sinclair Broadcast Group Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:46:59 -0400 SBG WCM - RSS Module http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 http://www.wgme.com/blogs/political-edge/#90
That's the question that Maine voters will see this November when they head to the voting booths.  Simple and straightforward.

Or is it...

The groups that worked hard to collect more than a hundred thousand signatures to get this question on the ballot in the first place now say this is the wrong question.  They want the question the Secretary of State sends out on ballots across the state this fall to include the fact that the ...]]> Thu, 19 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wgme.com/blogs/political-edge/#90 http://www.wgme.com/blogs/political-edge/#89
That seems a big part of what is delaying her official ...]]> Fri, 02 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wgme.com/blogs/political-edge/#89 http://www.wgme.com/blogs/political-edge/#88
He says, in part: "While I am humbled by all the support and encouragement I have received in the last few days, I've decided to not run for the U.S. Senate this year.  I want to continue to represent the wonderful people of Maine's second district and keep working on the unique issues and challenges we face."

This seems to pave the ...]]> Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wgme.com/blogs/political-edge/#88 http://www.wgme.com/blogs/political-edge/#86
First, Senator Snowe is justifiably receiving praise today from Republicans and Democrats, including the White House, for a very long and distinguished career.  She just turned 65 years old.  She's spent 33 years in Washington in the House or Senate.  Do the math... that's more than half her life.

I talked to Sen. Susan Collins last night about it and she was quick to offer up praise for ...]]> Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wgme.com/blogs/political-edge/#86 http://www.wgme.com/blogs/political-edge/#85
Which makes the results of this one question from the new Pan Atlantic SMS Group 49th Omnibus poll purely academic.  But still interesting.  Among the questions, the pollsters asked: "If you could vote in last fall's gubernatorial election over again, who would you vote for?"

According to the survey, 36% said they would vote for Independent Eliot Cutler.  ...]]> Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wgme.com/blogs/political-edge/#85 http://www.wgme.com/blogs/political-edge/#84
She's the only Republican senator to break ranks and vote in favor of a Democratic plan to extend the payroll tax cuts that expire at the end of the year, and pay for them with a 3.5% surcharge on people making more than $1 million per year.  The plan fell short of the 60 needed to move ahead in the Senate, and Democrats are now accusing Republicans of protecting the wealthy few over the working many.

Except, that is, Susan ...]]> Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.wgme.com/blogs/political-edge/#84 http://www.wgme.com/blogs/political-edge/#83 Democrats are shaking their fists.
Welcome to Maine's battle over health insurance reform...

Republicans, with support from a few Democrats, passed LD 1333 this week, and Gov. LePage signed it.  One of two things just happened... Either we just fixed health insurance in Maine.  Or we just really screwed it up.

The question you should be asking is: Who's right?  The honest answer is: Who knows?

There is no real clear, impartial study ...]]> Thu, 19 May 2011 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.wgme.com/blogs/political-edge/#83 http://www.wgme.com/blogs/political-edge/#82
As you likely know, Demeritt spent the past few weeks dogged by foreclosure lawsuits and tax ...]]> Sat, 16 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.wgme.com/blogs/political-edge/#82 http://www.wgme.com/blogs/political-edge/#80
But the problem is, many in the middle cringe as well.  And even more of a problem-- it gets A LOT of attention.  Now, I'm not trying to stir up that old debate.  I'm sorry-- but if you publicly ...]]> Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.wgme.com/blogs/political-edge/#80 http://www.wgme.com/blogs/political-edge/#79
A friend of mine, Judy Paradis, a former lawmaker from Aroostook County, once told me that a lot of Franco-Americans-- especially from older generations-- grew up feeling like second-class citizens in Maine.  That's a big part of why she and others ...]]> Wed, 16 Mar 2011 23:00:00 -0400 http://www.wgme.com/blogs/political-edge/#79