Author: Paula Sutton

Perhaps the most inaccurate narrative being pushed by lobbyists and special-interest groups in Augusta is that the Maine Legislature is “thwarting the will of the voters” by amending or altering legislation passed through Maine’s citizen referendum process. This outcry began after legislators from both parties made changes to some of the bills passed by voters at the ballot box. Some examples of the changes made by the Legislature include fixing an error in the bill legalizing recreational marijuana that allowed children to possess and use marijuana; increasing the money servers and bartenders can earn by reinstating the tip credit, which…

Last November, Mainers voted to pass Question 1, nearly tripling the amount of taxpayer funds received by political candidates who run through the “clean elections” program. Question 1 also increased penalties for breaking campaign finance rules and changed the disclosure for donor requirements. The organizations in favor of Question 1 were heavily funded and spent over two million dollars advocating for the passage of the bill.  One of the groups in favor was a ballot question committee called Proteus Action League. A ballot question committee (BQC) is an organization formed for the purpose of influencing a Maine election with a…

A few months ago the voters of Maine passed a Citizen’s Initiative called Question 1. This new law will nearly triple money for taxpayer-funded political “clean elections” candidates and make some minor changes in disclosure and penalties, which will have little impact on the business of politics in this modern-day climate. To combat this measure and raise awareness about the potential impacts of Question 1, a political action committee called Mainers Against Welfare for Politicians was formed by myself and Representative Joel Stetkis of Cannan. Although we were defeated on a statewide level, we are encouraged by the fact that…

Today, January 21, is the anniversary of the Citizens United ruling which dramatically changed how elections are funded and prompted opponents to submit and ultimately pass Question 1 as a Citizens initiative on the November 2015 ballot here in Maine. As you realize, Question 1 nearly tripled the amount of taxpayer money a publically financed political candidate may qualify for, as well as making minor changes on disclosures and penalties. I would like to go on record that I strongly opposed Question 1 and feel the people of Maine were deceived by its promoters.  The proponents of Question 1 spent over 2 million dollars…