More and more we are seeing direct democracy take hold in our elected representative republic. We do not see this at the national level, but rather within individual states that have relatively low bars for accessing the ballot. We see out of state special interests grab hold of a system that was set in place as an emergency steam valve, if you will, when the legislature acts or doesn’t act. The ballot initiative process is not ideal and should only be used in unique circumstances. It has been used effectively for conservative causes in the past, but lately it has…
Author: Garrett Mason
Garrett Mason
Senator Garrett Mason is the current Senate Majority Leader. He represents District 22 which includes Durham, Greene, Leeds, Lisbon, Litchfield, Sabattus, Turner, Wales and Wayne.
Legislative Democrats have decided to brazenly support policy that hurts our state’s businesses and taxpayers. For the first time in recent memory, relief in the form of tax conformity is being used as a political tool. In the past, conformity has been passed quickly and easily in order to ensure that Mainers are able to file their taxes with the minimal amount of confusion about the federal and state codes. This year, however, Democrats in the House of Representatives have decided that there is a political opportunity in raiding the budget stabilization fund for an election year slogan about education…