I am going to have some version of the following submitted next session:

When a state agency advances “equity” in any policy area, “equity” must be defined and a metric must be developed and used to assess and evaluate the “equity” policy. 

This would apply to public K-12 and higher education as well.

by Jonathan Reisman

In the 1990s, Maine adopted a 10% public lands goal (about 2 million acres) and began generously funding the Land for Maine Future’s program to achieve it. The effort was led by Governor Angus King and Senate Majority Leader (and future Congresswoman) Chellie Pingree, who sponsored a $50 million land bond. Twenty-five years ago, that was real money.

by Jonathan Reisman

Thirty years ago, I had an “Angus King for Governor” sign on the big white pine that towers over my mailbox. It was one of very few in Washington County. Angus kept his promise to get rid of car testing, opposed the salmon listing, and pushed $100 million (more than a million a mile) in improvements to Route 9 that significantly reduced both travel time and white knuckles on the airline. Despite that, the Two Maines problem got significantly worse during his tenure in both the Blaine House and the Senate. 

by Jonathan Reisman

September brought a super full moon, a partial eclipse, solar flares, and aurora alerts. The calendar included my late wife’s birthday, our anniversary, Labor Day, Sept. 11th, Constitution Day, and a hermit-ending late summer trip down the airline to Bangor.  All those events are linked to less sleep and strong emotions (alas, Kamala’s “Joy” is not one of them). That may explain a somewhat scattershot column on climate policy, polls, and polarization.

Climate Policy Anxiety  

by Jonathan Reisman

Maine’s Climate Council, co-chaired by Office of Policy Innovation and the Future Director Hannah Pingree and Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Melanie Loyzim is updating “Maine Won’t Wait”, Maine’s climate action plan. The plan seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (principally from transportation), phase out fossil fuels, encourage solar and wind, promote (undefined) “equity,” and have at least 30% of Maine publicly owned and controlled for conservation and carbon sequestration.

by Jonathan Reisman

2024

The ongoing 2024 Federal and Maine state elections are stressing me out because the stakes are high and the country is polarized (not the best state for thoughtful and careful listening, analysis, and voting/decision-making). Much of the media, in my opinion, should not be trusted, other than to be stenographers for Democratic talking points. Everyone has an axe to grind, but some are less than open about what type of axe they are carrying. Mostly they seem to be carrying water for Kamala Harris and the Democrats. 

by Jonathan Reisman

by Jonathan Reisman

Hannah Pingree was appointed by Governor Mills as the Director of Maine’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future and as the co-chair of the climate council. She is a former Speaker of the Maine House and the daughter of longtime 1st District Congresswoman Chellie Pingree. Hannah is the Governor’s right-hand woman on policy and planning and is on the short list of potential Democratic gubernatorial and/or senatorial nominees. She is also one of Maine’s most visible climate alarmists.

by Jonathan Reisman

by Jonathan Reisman