Canney CommunicationsMaine Clean Elections – lives to fight another day!
Thank you to the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee for standing behind Clean Elections!
(Press Release – from 1/4/11)
For Immediate Release
January 4, 2011
Contact: Andrew Bossie, Executive Director
207-831-6223
MCCE Applauds Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee for Unanimously Defeating Partial Repeal of Clean Elections
Maine’s leading citizen campaign finance reform organization today praised a committee decision that effectively kills a bill to repeal part of the popularly supported Maine Clean Election Act. The bill, LD 120 An Act to End Taxpayer-funded Campaigns for Gubernatorial Candidates, received a unanimous “Ought not to Pass” report from the legislature’s Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee.
“Maine people want to move forward, not backward, in the fight against big-money, special interests in our government,” said Alison Smith, President of Maine Citizens for Clean Elections (MCCE).”The committee action preserves the opportunity for candidates for governor to run for office using Clean Elections. We still have work to do to ensure the system is viable in 2014, but today’s vote allows the conversation to continue. At a time when people all across the country are calling for a separation between money and politics, Maine’s ongoing leadership is more important than ever.”
Today’s vote comes a little more than a month after a majority on the VLA committee voted to strike the matching funds portion of the Maine Clean Election Act in order to comply with a court decision, but did not offer any alternative. MCCE supports the minority report endorsing a proposal recommended by the state’s Ethics Commission in order to keep the system viable.”Maine citizens initiated and passed Clean Elections, and they continue to support the landmark system,” said Andrew Bossie, Executive Director of MCCE, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization. “We are committed to strengthening the law after the court ruling, and we will work with legislators and fellow citizens to make sure Maine people benefit from a robust Clean Election system for both legislative and gubernatorial candidates. This is no time to invite special interests to dominate our elections.”
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(Blog post from Canney Communications 1/3/12)
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and deprecate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground, they want rain without thunder and lightning.” American Abolitionist Frederick Douglass
The words of Frederick Douglass are something I have held in a small notebook for the better part of two decades. These words continue to resonate today and can rightly be applied to a variety of issues we all face. This week Maine citizens stand to lose a piece of their Democracy.
The Veterans and Legal Affairs committee will vote on whether they want to take away public funding for gubernatorial candidates. Why is it important to have a system that puts public money instead of special interest money behind candidates vying to be decision makers? Because we live with those decisions and those decisions must be in our best interests not the interests of those with the deepest pockets. If the VLA decides to gut clean elections it will be time to take our democracy, our power back on this issue. More than a decade ago it was Maine people who said – Enough. We want our elected officials, legislators and governors to report to us and that is how the Clean Election Act was passed.
More than a decade later, we must make this a call to action. The reasons are everywhere – you can find them on wall street, the housing crisis, in healthcare. It is a complex puzzle of special interests who have influence beyond the reach of the average citizen. When a candidate decides to run clean he or she is making a commitment to the voters. It is the first step toward removing the special interests and putting the power back in the hands of the people.
If the committee members vote to get rid of clean elections they will be doing so against your wishes — against the wishes of 75% of the people according to the most recent poll. You will have to ask yourself, with that many people in support who is the committee representing? The 75%? I don’t think so. Legislators are put into office to represent the will of their constituents. They have a chance to do that on Wednesday but will they? Whatever the outcome of tomorrow’s vote please contact your legislator either to thank them for remembering who they serve or to ask exactly whom they are serving.
Share ThisDemocracy belongs in the hands of the people.
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and deprecate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground, they want rain without thunder and lightning.” American Abolitionist Frederick Douglass
The words of Frederick Douglass are something I have held in a small notebook for the better part of two decades. These words continue to resonate today and can rightly be applied to a variety of issues we all face. This week Maine citizens stand to lose a piece of their Democracy.
The Veterans and Legal Affairs committee will vote on whether they want to take away public funding for gubernatorial candidates. Why is it important to have a system that puts public money instead of special interest money behind candidates vying to be decision makers? Because we live with those decisions and those decisions must be in our best interests not the interests of those with the deepest pockets. If the VLA decides to gut clean elections it will be time to take our democracy, our power back on this issue. More than a decade ago it was Maine people who said – Enough. We want our elected officials, legislators and governors to report to us and that is how the Clean Election Act was passed.
More than a decade later, we must make this a call to action. The reasons are everywhere – you can find them on wall street, the housing crisis, in healthcare. It is a complex puzzle of special interests who have influence beyond the reach of the average citizen. When a candidate decides to run clean he or she is making a commitment to the voters. It is the first step toward removing the special interests and putting the power back in the hands of the people.
If the committee members vote to get rid of clean elections they will be doing so against your wishes — against the wishes of 75% of the people according to the most recent poll. You will have to ask yourself, with that many people in support who is the committee representing? The 75%? I don’t think so. Legislators are put into office to represent the will of their constituents. They have a chance to do that on Wednesday but will they? Whatever the outcome of tomorrow’s vote please contact your legislator either to thank them for remembering who they serve or to ask exactly whom they are serving.
Lepage insider resigns
Communications Director Dan Demeritt’s resignation today is not unexpected for the under fire, inner-circle member of the Lepage administration. Demeritt was listed as both communications director and legislative affairs staffer. His resignation followed media reports yesterday in the Portland Press Herald that he faced, “possible foreclosure on five buildings he owns…” (source Portland Press Herald 4/15/11 http://bit.ly/e3751P )
Demeritt was becoming a liability for the Lepage administration well before yesterday’s revelation. His emails caused concern in January.
“Once we take office, Paul will put 11,000 bureaucrats to work getting Republicans re-elected.” Dirigo Blue wrote: “ But reading through the entire document, it is apparent that the incoming administration was preparing to use – whenever possible – the apparatus of government as a promotional tool. ” (source, Dirigo Blue 1/30/11 http://bit.ly/hFIndu)
It appeared slipshod at best to make those comments in a written forum, brazenly arrogant at worst. In the weeks leading up to and following, Demerit was prone to answering media questions in ways that befuddled the average Mainer. When asked about closing state government for bad weather he said: ” “The rule of thumb is: if Marden’s is open, Maine is open,” Demeritt said. (Kennebec Journal 1/17/11 http://bit.ly/e9Nwjq )
As a former communications director for the previous administration, I can empathize with Demeritt around the difficulties of the job. You are constantly under the microscope and in the public eye. I am also wondering, however, why he chose to take huge risks in both what he said and as we recently learned how he apparently chose to handle his personal affairs. In my brief hallway conversations with him he would repeatedly ask why the media was treating him so badly. I believe he was really at a loss about why reporters were not asking the questions he wanted them to ask and why they asked the questions they did. In my opinion, Dan never transitioned from the short term rhetoric of a campaign to the long term communications around governing.
Crystal Canney was a journalist for 20 years and was communications director for Governor John Baldacci. She is currently President of Canney Communications, a Portland based political media and public relations firm.
Jobs and a Chance to Compete
NO RUBBER STAMP JUST JOBS AND A CHANCE TO COMPETE
How many times have we said in Maine, it’s a shame we can’t attract more business with good paying jobs. LD 1203, the citizens’ initiative, would allow racinos in Biddeford and Calais. The Biddeford project would create 800 construction jobs and 500 jobs to operate the facility, while preserving Maine’s proud harness racing industry and saving thousands of related jobs that support the equine industry. The project, approved by statewide referendum in 2003, includes an integrated entertainment complex, resort hotel, harness racetrack and slot. The tribal racino in Calais, previously approved by the legislature, the Calais City Council and by the residents of Washington County by a 70-30 margin, would create hundreds of additional jobs in construction and operations, while attracting tourists from the population centers of western New Brunswick.
State government estimates Maine’s general fund would receive $33,000,000 annually, with an additional $5,000,000 going to Maine college scholarships. The City of Biddeford would receive an estimated five million dollars annually and the City of Calais would receive millions as well.
Although Mainers voted for two fully-integrated racinos in 2003, the law needs two corrections to allow these projects. This paper’s editorial board mistakenly suggests that the Legislature has always submitted such changes to statewide referendum. Instead, the Legislature has taken the lead in improving Maine’s racino and other gaming laws, repealing and replacing the law in 2004 to enhance regulatory provisions, increase taxes and allow a temporary detached hybrid racino in Bangor. In 2007, the law was amended to allow the permanent slot facility in Bangor to be detached to accommodate the City’s waterfront development plans, but making clear that future racinos should be fully integrated. The 2007 Legislature also approved overwhelming the Washington County racino. Only a gubernatorial veto sent the project to statewide referendum. The current legislature is working to amend the casino law to facilitate the proposed Oxford County casino.
Ocean Properties, the Downs’ partner, is a world-class destination resort company. Founded by Bangor native Tom Walsh, the firm operates over 100 destinations worldwide, including some of Maine’s great landmarks such as the Samoset in Rockland and resorts in Bar Harbor.
The Passamaquoddy Tribe, which would develop the Calais facility, is already Washington County’s largest employer and proposes a beautiful new racing venue immediately adjacent to the new $55 million border crossing. At the same, Washington County has the highest unemployment rate at 12.7% and jobs is what the region of the state needs now.
The Legislature should pass LD 1203 and bring the projects forward promptly. Forcing a referendum would mean delay; this week, Biddeford City Manager John Bubier estimated 40 million dollars in cash flow will be lost from that delay alone.
Labor Day & Maine missing out on millions —-
MAINE MISSING OUT ON MILLIONS – ENHANCED EFFORT TO END WORKER MISCLASSIFCATION
(Sept. 6, 2010)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PORTLAND, ME – The Maine State Building and Construction Trades Council (MSBCTC) will hold a press conference to describe ongoing efforts to identify and eliminate worker misclassification in Maine. Maine Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman will speak at the event following the Southern Maine Labor Council’s annual Labor Day Breakfast at the Maine Irish Heritage Center (34 Gray Street, Portland). The press conference will begin at 11:30 a.m. on the magnificent front steps of the historic converted cathedral.
Worker Misclassification occurs when an employee is improperly classified as an independent contractor.
“This is another step in the right direction, for too long people have been hurt by working under the table in the construction industry. When it comes to publicly funded projects we need to make sure that all laws are being followed. Each year Maine loses out on significant amounts of uncollected revenue. For the worker, the problems are significant often they are underpaid, they have no health insurance or workers compensation. When misclassified workers are injured on the job – in many cases they end up in the emergency room because they have no choice and that means Mainers again foot the bill with increased insurance costs. When misclassified workers show up to collect unemployment or workers comp they do not have any benefits to collect. Maine taxpayers and Maine workers lose when employees are misclassified.” said John Napolitano, president of the Maine State Building and Construction Trades Council.
Maine’s construction unions and organized labor in general have long advocated for more aggressive action against violations of labor and employment law, particularly the misclassification of employees as independent contractors. In January of 2009, Governor John Baldacci created the Governor’s Joint Task Force on Employee Misclassification. Since that time, the Department of Labor and other state agencies have met regularly to highlight the issue of worker misclassification. In conjunction with the Governor’s task force, L.D. 1565 was passed this past April, which authorized the issuance of a “Stop-Work Order” on a job site where worker misclassification is found.
MSBCTC has reinforced these governmental efforts through legislative testimony, by providing examples and personal stories of misclassification, distributing misclassification “Tip Forms” to its members to facilitate enforcement, and helping to educate employers regarding compliance with employment laws. Maine’s labor unions and other workers’ organizations will continue to shed light on this growing problem within construction and other industries, and to further collaborate with state agencies in the enforcement of laws protecting Maine workers.
LINKS TO PERTINENT INFORMATION
CORNELL STUDY http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1009&context=reports
HARVARD STUDY
MSBCTC FACEBOOK PAGE
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maine-State-Building-and-Construction-Trades-Council
FOR ALL MEDIA INQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT CANNEY COMMUNICATIONS
Crystal Canney 207-615-5968 crystal@canneycomm.com
Will McClaran 207-841-3628 will@canneycomm.com
MAINE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY AND THE TIME IS NOW
Maine stands on the brink of a great opportunity which will benefit 95% of its residents. The opportunity is Question 1 and it’s on the June 8th ballot. The problem with campaigns is that messages which are complicated can get lost. In this case I am deeply concerned that an opportunity will slip away. I work for the NO on question 1 side and am encouraging you to vote NO on June 8th.
Question 1 gets complicated right out of the gate because it’s asking whether you want to repeal a law that was passed in 2009. It’s a law many might not be familiar with and its repeal would have negative impacts for 95% of Maine people.
Here are some of the key reasons you should vote No on question 1.:
1. It’s more money in your pocket. It drops the income tax rate from 8.5% to 6.5% for everyone who earns under 250,000 which is just about everyone I know, and if you earn more than that the rate is 6.85% So what does that ultimately mean? 95% of Maine people will see their income taxes go down and it will put more money in your pocket. It raises sales taxes on some items AND increases the meals and lodging taxes so that out of state tourists will finally start paying their fair share. When any of us travel out of state we get hit with a much higher tax on meals and lodging, rental cars you name it. It’s time we stop giving Maine away. FYI – it’s still a bargain, even with the increase Maine will only be at 8.5% on meals and lodging tax while neighboring New Hampshire and Vermont are at 9% currently. The Maine Revenue Service estimates that Maine will get about 50 million dollars in tax relief from tourists and non-resident income taxpayers. Why is that important? It’s more money in your pocket.
2. It’s a chance to be smarter about our sales tax base. Maine hasn’t seen tax relief and reform in 40 years. While it’s a bit in the weeds, there are some really practical applications here that effect us. 35% of the sales tax base is comprised of construction materials and auto sales. When we have a down economy, a significant portion of our sales tax base falls with it. This expansion of the sales tax will allow the state to better survive a down economy. It’s a chance to be smarter because there is a more predictable revenue stream. Planning would be easier if you had a more predictable figure. The Wall Street Journal called LD 1495 the “Maine Miracle” because it stabilizes a volatile sales tax base among other things.
3. A NO vote is good for business . Good business means good jobs and better lives for people in Maine. The Bangor, Portland, Androscoggin and State Chambers of Commerce have all come out in support of the NO vote. The steering committee chair of our campaign is Wick Johnson from Augusta who owns and operates Kennebec Technologies. Bruce Wagner, the CEO of Barber Foods in Portland has also been very vocal in his support as has lumber mill owner John Cashwell and Bangor businessman Dan Tremble. Why are these business leaders supporting this? Because they have watched the effects of the income tax rate and know with more money in their pocket they will be able to invest and grow.
Bruce Wagner talks about how important it is to put more money in his employees pockets so they can make the decision how and if they want to spend it. Wagner often talks publicly about the difficulty of attracting out of state employees and how he would like to see his sons, who have moved to Maine, be able to stay here but that the income tax rate is a serious drawback.
And, there is one other sentiment out there that has developed over the last few years which I believe as we go to the polls we need to think about. We elect our Legislature to do the minutiae and hard work for us as a citizenry. If we don’t like what they do – we should vote them out. Despite this, every time you turn around a decision that’s been made by the very people we all elected to office seems to need go to referendum again – in some cases driven by out of state special interests groups.
Voting no on question 1 is an opportunity we should not turn our backs on.
Welcome to Canney Communications
Well here it is, the day I have been talking about for a very long time. I am sure those of you who read this, who have been supportive, and who have allowed me to take the soap box out – are happy I finally have a blog.
I am excited about being a small-business owner in Maine and proud I am a native Mainer. It’s exciting to be working with people, companies and ideas that will benefit this state. We often hear about what is wrong with Maine, but I am a believer that there is much good out there, in fact I am sure of it.
Just look at the number of people who want to be Governor – with all they will face they are running in droves to be the leader of this state. During my year in the Governor’s Office as the communications director and two-and-a-half years as the Associate Commissioner of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services the decisions made were grappled with and hashed out by the executive branch and the legislature-often into hours of the night when most people would be soundly asleep. As we have all watched and lived the economic collapse, it is also clear there are great challenges ahead. The work that will be waiting for the new Governor will be difficult, trying at best, until the economic climate turns around and offers a moment to breathe.
There are good people in this race – Democrats, Republicans and Independents. I firmly believe that Maine people will, as they always have, look past the candidates who offer little more than a glossy veneer. I believe they will look for someone with a proven record, a deep and abiding desire to do what’s right for the people who live here and a passion that will sustain them through the most difficult moments.
There are skilled people in the media who will hold candidates accountable and offer insights into who these 23 (+/-) candidates are as opinions form over the next few months and as we head towards the primary. This is one of the most fascinating races I can remember, and I am not talking about just the number of candidates.
And as they say- stay tuned……………….