Lies, Damned Lies, and Bill Nemitz

Lies, Damned Lies, and Bill Nemitz

In this morning’s Portland Press Herald, Bill Nemitz  holds forth on the actions of South Portland city officials for using municipal resources and taxpayer money to lobby against TABOR by sending flyers to residents of the city. He also comments upon Speaker Hannah Pingree’s use of state resources to oppose TABOR II. Bill thinks these are acceptable behaviors by public officials, and derides the supporters of TABOR for thinking differently.

It’s important to understand that TABOR II does nothing to cut government budgets. It only controls how much the budget can increase without getting voter approval. TABOR II also has zero impact on school budgets- they are exempt from this legislation.  Nemitz’s argument of each budget referendum costing the taxpayer $800K is nothing more than a straw man, for the process is entirely at the control of the State. If you don’t want to incur an election expense, don’t exceed the budget increase cap!

As for Nemitz, aka “Bill from Maine” on the Daily Kos, what he wrote today yet another example of a  left-wing misinformation campaign against anything that empowers people to better control government. His is the typical elitist position that the government should control you.

What’s Secretary Dunlap’s Problem?

I am sure by now you’ve heard that Secretary of State Matt Dunlap has missed the deadline for certifying the petition signatures submitted by the Maine GOP to place on next June’s ballot a Peoples Veto of LD 1495. This bill reduces the state income tax rate while eliminating many deductions, and expands the sales tax to include almost all services.

Once the petitions were submitted to Dunlap, his office had 30 days to certify them. That deadline passed several days ago. According to the law as I read it, at this point Dunlap’s office cannot reject the petitions, and the governor may order the question placed on next June’s ballot.

Yet there is nothing of substance coming from either Dunlap or Baldacci on this………..lawyers have been engaged on both sides, but there is no clarity at all regarding the status of the petitions and Peoples Veto. Today the Maine GOP has threatened to seek “relief” via the courts if a decision isn’t announced by the State on or before November 2d. My take is that the Maine Republican Party should have been in front of a judge the day after certification was due.

I encourage all to call the Secretary of State’s office (207-626-8400) and the Governor’s Office (207-287-3531) -ask them for an explanation. Feel free to share anything you learn in the comment section below.

Who’s Intolerant?

I’ve been hearing about the battle being waged by “NO on #1” supporters against the rights of those on the other side of the question to exercise their right of free speech. Hundreds of “YES on #1” signs across the state have been removed, stolen or defaced. Right up near where I live I have seen signs with swastikas spray painted on them. Apparently some people were arrested in Bangor for engaging in similar activity.

During every election cycle in recent memory there have been many, many incidents with political signs being removed or defaced. And it’s always the signage that is associated with conservative and Republican issues or candidates that are affected- never anything associated with liberal views or Democrats. So the question becomes, which end of the political spectrum truly exhibits intolerance?