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Taxes · MaineWhat is tax fairness? Taxes help pay for things that benefit everyone, like good schools, clean air and water, and safe roads. Businesses also need these things to succeed, along with a healthy, housed, and educated workforce, modern infrastructure, and affordable energy. Fair taxes mean everyone pitches in according to their means, so those who have less pay less, and those who have more pay more. Unfortunately, the vast majority of states stil…See the Story
Tax Fairness — An Explainer
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Wind Power · MaineToday on the Beacon Podcast, Ben and Esther discuss updates from the legislative session including the new pilot program for housing subsidies, the outcome of Planned Parenthood’s proposed constitutional amendment regarding protecting access to abortion, and the Sears Island offshore wind proposal. Additionally, the two discuss Pres. Biden’s new plan to help erase or lower student debt for approximately 30 million people. Ask a question or leave…See the Story
Podcast: Rent relief, abortion access, wind power and student debt relief!
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Maine, Maine · MaineMaine voters overwhelmingly back crucial housing reforms and a public health insurance option, according to a recent poll. In the survey of 607 Maine voters conducted in late March by the Maine People’s Resource Center, a partner of the Beacon, 57% expressed support for “the creation of a new state rental assistance voucher program to help more Maine families afford housing,” with only 30% opposed. Additionally, 62% of respondents favor banning…See the Story
Poll: Mainers strongly support rent relief, public health insurance option
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Maine, Maine · MaineAdvocates for women veterans, who’ve experienced sexual trauma while serving in the military, are asking state lawmakers for much-needed funding. Previous legislation backed the creation of two sexual trauma liaisons at community-based organizations in the state, but funding never came to fruition. Executive Director of the Augusta-based Sisters-in-Arms Center, Rebecca Cornell du Houx, said lawmakers have a chance to help veteran survivors rebui…See the Story
Maine women veterans request counselors for military sexual trauma
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Maine, United States · MaineWhen the late Gov. Joe Brennan, who passed away this week at the age of 89, was first elected to the Maine legislature in 1965, the first bill he sponsored was to abolish the reprehensible practice of putting kids in jail for truancy. I don’t know if this was from his lived experience (he reportedly skipped school more than once to improve on his pool game) or from his innate ability to understand injustice. But, pushing juvenile justice reform …See the Story
The late Gov. Joe Brennan was a progressive champion
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Maine, United States · MaineHousing advocates are applauding a spending plan passed by Democrats which includes $18 million in funding for rental assistance. Legislative Democrats endorsed a proposed state supplemental budget on Saturday that included funds for a state-run housing voucher program pilot. The plan, which passed the Democratic-majority Appropriations Committee in a 7-5 vote along party lines, goes beyond what Gov. Janet Mills has already called for to addres…See the Story
Housing advocates applaud inclusion of rent relief in Democrats’ budget plan
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Maine, United States · MaineThis week on the podcast, we bid a fond adieu to longtime Beacon reporter Dan Neumann, who is leaving us for the labor movement. Dan and Ben talk about some of their favorite Beacon stories and when the Beacon’s reporting has really made a difference. They also talk about what’s happening in the last part of the legislative session with housing, wind power and the budget. Ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182. Sub…See the Story
Podcast: What it means to be a "movement journalist"
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Maine, Maine · MaineMaine Lawmakers heard from the public on Friday over a proposed red flag law, also called an extreme risk protection order, which is aimed at empowering not just law enforcement but also family members to petition a court to restrict access to firearms for individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others. “I’m here to join the chorus of voices asking you to give Mainers a streamlined mechanism to protect our loved ones in crisis from harming …See the Story
‘We need a true extreme risk protection order:’ Mainers call on lawmakers to pass red flag law
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