The Coastal Packet

Effects of rising sea level

2012-02-10T15:59:00.001-05:00

How rising sea levels would affect Portland

How rising sea levels would affect Brunswick and Harpswell

The sound of Vinalhaven: An envrionmentalist learns about the downside of wind turbines

2012-02-10T15:41:00.001-05:00

Down East notes. . .

2012-02-09T16:09:00.003-05:00

Portland offers to help OccupyMaine campers find housing

NY Times on the cost of heating a Maine winter

Environmental groups join in warning about tar sands pipeline

2012-02-09T16:09:00.000-05:00

Natural Resources Council of Maine - “Tar sands oil is not part of the energy solution we need,” says Glen Brand, Director of Sierra Club Maine. “We call on Maine’s congressional delegation to not support any efforts that would force approval of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline before a final route is established and the health and safety review is completed.”

“Everyone knows we are addicted to oil,” said Dylan Voorhees, Clean Energy Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. “Tar sands oil is very different from conventional oil—it’s much, much worse. It poses higher safety risks to people and even greater impacts to the environment and climate. It is like mountain-top coal mining for oil.”

“Fast tracking the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline is playing politics when the safety our nation's communities, farmland , and water are at stake,” said Danielle Droitsch, Director of Canada Projects at the Natural Resources Defense Council. “Congress is not a permitting agency and is not set up to handle complex reviews for environmental health and safety, especially for a tar sands pipeline that is more likely to rupture and for tar sands oil, which is more difficult and expensive to clean up.”

“Maine people ought to be especially wary of a rush to judgment on the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline because they may find themselves facing a similar proposal to pipe tar sands oil from Canada across our state,” said Voorhees. “Maine people deserve to learn more about the serious health and safety threats that are unique to tar sands pipelines.”

Plans to ship tar sands crude to Maine could be under way. In 2011, Enbridge, a Canadian pipeline company, applied to the Canadian Energy Board for fast-track permission to reverse the flow for a portion of its oil pipeline from Ontario to Montreal. This move is viewed as a revitalization of a broader plan first initiated in 2008, when Enbridge proposed to reverse the flow of a pipeline across Ontario to Montreal and then down to Portland, Maine to bring tar sands crude to U.S. and global markets. The companies that own the Canadian and Maine portions of the line acknowledge that the whole reversal is under discussion, although they are seeking a permit for a portion of the line from Ontario to Montreal until market conditions improve.

“The existing oil pipeline from Portland to Montreal passes right alongside Sebago Lake, the drinking water supply to the entire Portland area,” said Brand. “Tar sand oil is more corrosive and acidic than conventional oil, making pipes more susceptible to corrosion and bringing a higher risk of spills. That’s a risk we need to understand better before any reversal of oil is considered.”

Reaction to LePage's education plan

2012-02-09T15:48:00.000-05:00

Bangor Daly News - Maine Education Association President Chris Galgay strongly criticized the governor’s [education] plans.

“This proposal pits one school district against the other with serious consequences. If schools begin losing students to nearby schools, they will likely face closure,” Galgay said in a statement. “The governor’s school choice plan is bad for local schools, bad for local communities and bad for Maine’s students and is an attack on the teachers who are tasked with educating them.”

Rep. Jeff McCabe, D-Skowhegan, also opposed the legislation.

“School choice will put more of a burden on property tax payers, widen disparities between the haves and have-nots and weaken public education in rural Maine,” he said.

“One line of that statute says that [the private school receiving public tuition] may not be religious. So we’re going to propose that that one single line of the statute is taken out,” said Bowen.

Sen. Justin Alfond, D-Portland, criticized LePage’s proposal on school tuition.

“Using taxpayer money to pay for private schools is another example of short-sighted policy that chooses ideology over what’s best for Maine people,” said Alfond, who serves on the Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee. “We should be doing everything we can to strengthen our public schools, which is an investment in our future work force. Anything less cheats our children and our economic future.”

In a press release, the MEA said it fears that the proposed evaluation system of teachers “will allow superintendents and principals to reward their favorite teachers and fire those that may speak up [for] the needs of their students.”

“If we are serious about improving education in Maine, we cannot think the starting point is building in favoritism and managerial games,” said Galgay. “Ruining the ability for teachers to put their students first is not the answer.”

LePage wants nation's biggest Medicaid cuts

2012-02-09T15:45:00.000-05:00

Christine Vestal, Stateline - The governor refers to the federal-state health insurance program for the poor as “welfare,” says it’s necessary to eliminate coverage for 65,000 adults, and wants to stop paying room and board for some 2,000 elders who live in group homes.

All these ideas are part of Republican Governor Paul LePage’s plan to close a $220 million hole in the state’s biennial Medicaid budget.

The size of Maine’s Medicaid shortfall is substantial, but it pales in comparison to gaps in many other states. In fact, health experts in Maine say the program has survived far bigger shortfalls in recent years without cutting the rolls. Still, LePage argues that the program can no longer provide a “free lunch” to poor 19- and 20-year olds, or to healthy adults responsible for the care of others.

Some of LePage’s proposed Medicaid cuts, such as eliminating dental care, physical therapy and chiropractic services, are not too different from ones that governors in both parties are recommending in states across the country. Neither are his proposed reductions in payments to hospitals and doctors or limits on prescription drug coverage.

But LePage also wants to get at enrollment, and this is what makes him, at the moment, the most draconian of the governors when it comes to health policy. In his January 24 state of the state speech, LePage argued that “we have encouraged people to rely on the taxpayers, rather than rely on themselves.” The cuts to enrollment, he argues, are necessary to shore up the state’s safety net so it can continue to care for its most vulnerable residents — children, elders and the disabled.

But for many of Maine’s citizens, the enrollment cuts would be life-changing.

Opponents of the governor’s Medicaid reductions have suggested repealing the tax breaks or adding a new tax for the state’s wealthiest 1 percent. Some have suggested that he simply postpone the cuts for one year so that low-income residents can keep their health insurance during that period.

No one disputes that Maine’s Medicaid budget gap is real, even if it is not among the larger ones in the nation in proportional terms...

But LePage’s insistence on cutting the eligibility rolls strikes some as more of a political statement than a fiscal solution. Ending coverage for adults would fill only $37 million of the $220 million deficit, a sum most agree could be found with less onerous measures. “What we have here,” says Trish Riley, who was an adviser to LePage’s Democratic predecessor, “is clearly an ideological fight.”

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Down East notes

2012-02-08T14:38:00.005-05:00

Thanks, great folks

Occupy Maine gets until Friday to remove tents

Best Super Bowl commercial you may have missed

George Smith, Down East - Last week Maine’s top moose biologist, Lee Kantar, estimated the state’s moose population to be an astonishing 75,000. That’s 45,000 higher than the estimates Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife reported up until 2007, when the department’s longtime moose biologist, Karen Morris, upped her estimate as she approached retirement.

Brunswick’s Gulf of Maine Bookstore opened in February 1979 in the midst of an ice storm. It’s now 33 years later and they’re celebrating on February 25^th with discounts, door prizes, food, drink and readings.

Maine's job reality

2012-02-08T14:20:00.002-05:00

Maine Center for Economic Policy - An analysis of federal Bureau of Labor Statistics data reveals that in the year beginning January 1, 2011, Maine lost more jobs per capita than any other state in the nation. Only five other states (Alaska, Missouri, Vermont, Delaware and Wisconsin) lost jobs over the same period, and Maine ranked 50th in job performance nationally.

The 7,200 jobs Maine lost in 2011 are just the tip of Maine’s persistent jobs crisis iceberg. More than 100,000 Mainers remain unemployed or underemployed. Thousands are working fewer hours and making less in wages than they did before the recession. Increasingly, having a job in Maine does not guarantee economic security for individuals or families. Based on recent American Community Survey microdata, in 2009, 1 of every 15 families with at least one member employed full time lived in poverty. And nearly 1 of every 3 had an income less than 200% of poverty, a measure of economic self-sufficiency.

More than 48 months after the start of the worst recession since the Great Depression, Maine is headed in the wrong direction, losing more jobs than we are creating and leaving more and more families struggling to make ends meet.

As the debate in Augusta continues to focus on Governor LePage’s economically unsound proposal for draconian cuts to health care for children, seniors, families and disabled individuals, the core problems with Maine’s struggling economy remain unresolved.

Maine lawmakers must act now to chart a new course by:

passing a robust bond package for transportation, public works and communications infrastructure, education, research and development, small business loans and other investments to create jobs and make Maine more competitive;
strengthening policies that promote better quality jobs and increase the accountability and transparency of publicly funded tax incentives;
targeting tax relief to low and middle income families who need it and whose spending will do the most to fuel economic growth; and
restoring tax fairness to maintain funding for health care, education, job training, child care and other programs that support families.

Leading the nation in job losses should be a clarion call for concerted, bipartisan commitment to create Maine jobs.

Euphemism watch

2012-02-08T14:16:00.000-05:00

Collins Watch - Prominent Maine outlets--uniformly, as far as I know--followed the junior senator's script, referring to fiance Tom Daffron as a "political consultant" and "longtime Senate senior staff member" and a few other things but never as a corporate lobbyist or K Street bigwig. (Yes, his lobbying and consulting shop is located on K Street.)

It's not the most glaring omission made by the Maine press in recent history. But since the Daffron-Collins relationship isn't likely to come in for much scrutiny in the coming months and years, it's an omission worth examining.. . .

Look, rewriting Daffron's biography to suit the political interests of his fiancee isn't going to bring down the republic. But make no mistake: This is shilling disguised as reporting. It's an errand run on behalf of powerful people under the guise of good faith "journalism."

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Losing some good neighbors in Portland

2012-02-05T11:23:00.000-05:00

Occupy Maine - This will be the final night OccupyMaine spends camped in Lincoln Park at the invitation of the City of Portland. After tonight, any occupation of Lincoln Park between the hours of 10:00 PM 'til 6:30 AM will be considered by the City to be loitering, subject to a fine and/or arrest.

As of today, by my count, OccupyMaine has maintained a 24/7 occupation of the park for 126 days - longer than any other Occupy encampment on the East coast north of Washington, DC. . .

Down East notes

2012-02-04T13:39:00.000-05:00

The case against wood fires

30 rural post offices seeking to avoid closure

Meanwhile in Maine

2012-02-02T11:44:00.000-05:00

Down East notes

2012-02-01T15:15:00.000-05:00

Phoenix - The protest that started in Monument Square on October 1 turns four months old today, and this morning Maine Superior Court Justice Thomas Warren ruled that the Occupation should not have temporary protection from eviction while its full complaint against the city of Portland is heard.

Lobster haul tops 100 million pounds for first time

Portland hires acting chief to head police department

Mainers have taken to the streets to demonstrate about issues ranging from civil rights to labor disputes, nuclear power to crank telephones. The Maine Historical Society has an exhibit of UPI photos of state demonstrations through March 31.

Appeals court rules that anti-gay marriage group must reveal donors, but organization plans to take case to Supreme Court.

24% of Mainers are asset poor

Down East Notes

2012-01-30T12:43:00.002-05:00

Last fall, 162 harbor seals were found dead along the coast of Massachusetts and Maine. Now 77 dead dolphins have been found on Cape Cod.

Climate change affecting Maine gardeners

Bangor Daily News - The federal agency that will decide whether some of Gov. Paul LePage’s proposed Medicaid cuts qualify for waivers to make the reductions legal reaffirmed Thursday that the exemptions face long odds. In a written response to the Democratic leaders on the Legislature’s budgetary committee, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services confirmed that legislative action was not a consideration in whether the agency will grant a waiver from the federal health care law. Cindy Mann, the director of CMS, noted that no state has been granted a so-called Maintenance of Effort waiver from the Affordable Care Act.

Why you lose against seagulls

2012-01-28T16:07:00.000-05:00

Cliff Gallant, Portland Daily Sun - Drop your hot dog in Monument Square and the five second rule will do you no good. A seagull's probably got it within two. It's likely that one's been hovering above you like a hummingbird since his hawk eyes spotted you with your arms full trying to stuff your lunch into your mouth. They're a very smart bird, and focused like you wouldn't believe. Precisely at the moment of the fateful drop one dives down straight and fast and zappo, the bird and your lunch are up on the ledge at the top of One City Center. Hey, shrug it off, you've been had by the best. And, after all, this is Portland, the guy at the hot dog stand will probably chuckle and give you another one.

MORE ABOUT SEAGULLS

Down East notes

2012-01-28T16:01:00.000-05:00

Anti-gay preacher takes the Gingrich view of marriage.

Barney Frank's partner, who he's going to marry, comes from Maine

How LePage's plans would hurt state hospitals

Down East notes

2012-01-26T22:41:00.000-05:00

From a note to union members a week ago from Tom Bell, president of the Portland Newspaper Guild: "The talks with the potential investors, Chris Harte and Aaron Kushner, have broken down. The investors and the Guild made significant progress. However, the Guild Negotiations Committee rejected the proposed deal because of the inability to secure an agreement that would protect the contract if the company filed for bankruptcy. No additional meetings between the Guild and these investors are planned. We don't know what impact, if any, this will have on the potential recapitalization. - Portland Phoenix

No change in the 7 percent unemployment rate from November to December, but there are 3800 fewer unemployed than a year ago.

But the poverty rate is up - from 11.4 in 2009 to 12.5 in 2010 for a total of 161,000 state residents.

Steve Mistler, Sun Journal - A coalition of marriage equality supporters announced Thursday that it had gathered more than 105,000 signatures — more than double the required number — to put the issue on the November ballot.... The referendum question will ask voters if they favor a law allowing marriage for same-sex couples. Supporters hope to reverse the 2009 decision by voters who repealed Maine's fledgling same-sex marriage law by a vote of 53 percent to 47 percent. The margin represented about 16,500 voters.Proponents on Thursday cited recent polls showing that 54 percent of Mainers support allowing same-sex couples to marry.

Although Americans Elect can't even seem to find a presidential candidate, the moderate extremists claim to have enough signatures to get on the Maine presidential ballot.

Down East Notes

2012-01-23T16:03:00.000-05:00

Maine Secretary of State Charlie Summers sure doesn't know what to do with his time and with the salary we pay him. He was appalled to find 150 non-citizens allegedly registered to vote and that perhaps one third that many actually voted. He's turning this massive scandal over to the Attorney General. 150 people is about two one hundreths of a percent of voters.

Portland’s wind power controversy

According to the Census, the use of wood to heat Maine homes nearly doubled in the past ten years

More on the struggle between two Republican states to use socialistic subsidies to attract new business

Can LePage close public schools?

2012-01-23T15:32:00.000-05:00

Abigail Curtis, Bangor Daily News - When Gov. Paul LePage night threatened to close public schools on May 1 unless his proposed Maine Department of Health and Human Services budget is ratified by the Maine Legislature, it sent ripples of surprise and worry around the state.

Can the governor make good on such a promise, which he made while fielding audience questions at a Capitol for a Day event in Lewiston?

The answer, according to the Maine Constitution, politicians and others, is no — with one caveat. Though local school districts make decisions about closing schools, it is within the governor’s purview to curtail state spending on education to balance the budget. A curtailment order would remain in effect until the Legislature acts.

He can, of course, also ask lawmakers to cut funding for schools. The state pays about $900 million annually to local school districts.

“If you don’t balance the budget, you stop cutting checks,” David Connerty-Marin, spokesman for the Maine Department of Education, said Friday in an explanation of the governor’s remarks. “There would obviously be a huge impact on some districts. But what shape that would take, it would ultimately be up to the local school districts.”

According to Article 8 in the Maine Constitution, the Legislature requires that towns support public schools.

Down East notes

2012-01-19T12:18:00.001-05:00

LePage trying to rip off the Tim Tibow shtick

Habitat for Humanity planned for Scarborough

Personal To Senator Collins: sitting next to Joe Lieberman during the State of the Union is not bipartisanship. Try Bernie Sanders

State treasurer’s role in private club questioned

A former Maine Turnpike head has been charged with a felony for misuse of gift cards

Portland’s City Council approved a resolution to amend the constitution to end corporate personhood. Only Coyne and Leeman voted against the measure.

Occupy signs ripped down by police

2012-01-16T11:11:00.000-05:00

Occupy Maine - Every single sign from Lincoln Park was taken. The wooden signs made by a USM Art professor, the IMAGINE sign, the professionally made banners, the hand made signs on sheets and tent material, even the American flag. Every single piece of twine was cut down with them. It was a meticulously executed job that would have required a truck to hall away. When we went down to the police station we were informed that since the signs "have no value" and were "left unattended" and we are in the park "illegally" it is not a crime and that some "citizen" must have taken it upon themselves to remove them. What if it was a bicycle left leaning up against the fence? What if the signs were political signs for candidates? The police refuse to even take a report and did not care that the gas lines on our stoves were cut. The two officers we spoke to actually chuckled.

Medical marijuana dispensary opens

2012-01-15T10:58:00.002-05:00

Freedom is Green -Wellness Connection of Maine opened their facility in Hallowell this week and has permits to open two more facilities this year. When fully operational the group will be the largest medical marijuana provider in the state.

WGME reported:

Mayor Charlotte Warren says she’s heard no complaints about this dispensary locating in Hallowell. The mayor says “They’ve met with our Chief of Police, they’ve met with the city manager. I feel very confident that they run a tight ship. They know what they’re doing. And I don’t have concerns about that.” read more

There are only eight permits for medical marijuana dispensaries in Maine. The limits created fierce competition. Berkeley Patients Group of California spun off an arm called Northeast Patients Group to get a piece of the new market but eventually internal relationships went sour. Controversy over start-up funding and business interests became public after a lawsuit last year.

Former NBA player Cutino Mobley tried for a marijuana dispensary license in Rhode Island. Then he turned up some funding for the Northeast operation in Maine. With the new money and name Wellness Connection weathered the lawsuit by the former backers in California and moved ahead.

Still their plans are to operate the first year at a significant financial loss.

In July estimates filed with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, the group said it expected to serve 540 patients and lose $1.75 million. read more

From a patient perspective Maine has one of the most robust medical cannabis programs in the country. Home cultivation is allowed and so are caregivers, who maintain a solid network. Last year the Medical Marijuana Patient Privacy Protection Act passed making registration with the state voluntary and preventing municipalities from over-regulating medical cannabis.

The dispensaries in Maine are seen as a compliment to overall patient access and not as the sole-source for medical marijuana.

Portland councillor pressing fight against corporate personhood

2012-01-14T22:53:00.000-05:00

Common Dreams - Thanks to an effort by a Portland City Councilor, Maine could be among the states working to fight back against the US Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United.

The Bangor Daily News reports:

The city of Portland could soon join an effort to reject so-called corporate personhood, the controversial extension of constitutional free speech rights to allow unfettered political spending by corporations.

City Councilor David Marshall is proposing a resolution that, if adopted by the larger council, would urge Maine’s congressional delegation and other federal lawmakers to support a constitutional amendment to throw out corporate personhood.[...]

“The great wealth of large corporations allows them to wield coercive force of law to overpower the votes of human beings and communities, thus denying We the People’s exercise of our constitutional rights,” the resolution states, in part. “The judicial and political bestowal of civil and political rights upon corporations usurps basic human and constitutional rights guaranteed to human persons.”

Down East notes

2012-01-13T17:29:00.000-05:00

Maine independent movie theaters doing well

The first installment of Colin Woodard's two-part, 10,000 word biography of Gov. Paul LePage is in the new issue of the Portland Phoenix, and up online at their website:

2012-01-11T11:29:00.003-05:00

Details of Maine Today Media's financial troubles