Articles by David Farmer
DAVID FARMER (blog)
Stand firm, pass this imperfect budget
on June 12, 2013, at 8:53 a.m.
Somehow, through a bitter legislative session that has seen an unprecedented level of partisan attacks, the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee shows that government can work, even during a time of divided government. The process isn’t pretty. But somehow, through the smoke and heat of a long session, Democrats ...
From the community
Mamma Baldacci’s spaghetti dinner to benefit Lewiston Fire Relief Fund
Former Gov. John Baldacci and the United Way of Androscoggin County will hold a spaghetti dinner at Lewiston High School to raise money for the Lewiston Fire Relief Fund. The dinner will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., June 12, at the school, which is located at 156 ...
DAVID FARMER (blog)
With one hand LePage gives, the other he takes
on June 05, 2013, at 9:32 a.m.
Maine has failed many of its residents. We’ve cut teachers from schools with children who need them. We’ve cut back on health care when people are sick. And we’ve made impossible choices to balance state and local budgets during times of recession and hardship. Today, things are a little different. ...
DAVID FARMER (blog)
Some Republicans begin to consider taxes to close budget gap
on May 29, 2013, at 9:34 a.m.
The Legislature’s Taxation Committee has made a series of recommendations to help balance the state’s budget. The specifics range from a temporary increase in the sales tax, to a delay in tax cuts that were passed in 2011 but never paid for, to an overarching tax reform package proposed by ...
DAVID FARMER (blog)
Dawn Hill, Troy Jackson stand up for what’s right
on May 22, 2013, at 9:49 a.m.
On Sunday, during an emergency meeting of the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, Sen. Dawn Hill, D-York, did something that’s very hard. She stood up to the governor of the state, in full public view, with the cameras rolling. She held her ground, and she did the right thing, ...
DAVID FARMER (blog)
GOP loses policy argument on Medicaid expansion, focuses instead on process
on May 15, 2013, at 9:46 a.m.
Right now, Maine’s hospitals and Republicans in the Legislature have hitched their rhetorical wagon to a process argument. Democrats are moving forward with a plan to pass legislation that includes a massive payout to Maine’s hospitals coupled with a plan, paid for by the federal government, to expand access to ...
DAVID FARMER (blog)
‘Junk food’ bill tries to shame the poor
on May 08, 2013, at 9:44 a.m.
Ravaged by brain cancer, unable to work and living in his dead mother’s house that was falling down around him, my uncle needed help to put food on the table, to pay his bills, to get by. My mother, herself in the beginning stages of dementia, provided what support she ...
DAVID FARMER (blog)
Lawmakers should expand Medicaid, improve lives
on May 01, 2013, at 9:45 a.m.
Tuesday was a frustrating day. For the second straight day my email wasn’t working right. The calendar on my computer started going crazy. I found a stack of bills in a new, secret hiding place on the desk. I forgot my lunch. It was just one of those days. Then ...
DAVID FARMER (blog)
Blue Ribbon Commission can’t undo damage of LePage’s actions
on April 24, 2013, at 10:31 a.m.
On Tuesday afternoon, Gov. Paul LePage announced the co-chairs of his Blue Ribbon Commission on Maine’s unemployment compensation system. He picked two men who have unimpeachable credentials: George Jabar, an attorney in Waterville and a Kennebec County commissioner, and Daniel Wathen, a former justice on the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. ...
DAVID FARMER (blog)
Redemption for the man in a cowboy hat
on April 17, 2013, at 10:07 a.m.
Redemption. The word keeps running through my mind as I try to digest the terror of the attack in Boston. It’s a powerful word that can mean a lot of different things – to seek atonement, or, in a religious context, salvation. It can mean the payment of an obligation, ...
DAVID FARMER (blog)
The tanning industry is coming after our daughters
on April 10, 2013, at 9:21 a.m.
I’ve got two kids. They aren’t teenagers yet, but they’re old enough that I can already see trouble coming. Even the best parents – and I’m not putting myself in that category – need help. Our kids are bombarded with mixed messages and marketing, all designed to change their behavior. ...
DAVID FARMER (blog)
David Farmer: Elver dispute requires calm response
on April 03, 2013, at 9:17 a.m.
Gov. Paul LePage appears to have the law on his side in a dispute between Maine and the Passamaquoddy Tribe. But the law isn’t always enough, especially when dealing with the strained relations between the state and a tribal government. The icy relationship between the state and Native American tribes ...
DAVID FARMER (blog)
Progress marches on, with or without Supreme Court
on March 27, 2013, at 9:07 a.m.
The key to maintaining discrimination is segregation. If people are kept divided from one another – torn into “us” versus “them” – then it’s much easier to build the animus that allows discrimination to survive. Once we get to know each other, the walls that are built to keep us ...
DAVID FARMER (blog)
Closing the aspirations gap
on March 20, 2013, at 9:18 a.m.
Gov. Paul LePage and Democrats in the Legislature have both placed a high priority on addressing what’s come to be known as the skills gap in Maine’s workforce. There are jobs available, but a lot of folks who need work don’t have the right mix of experience and education to ...
DAVID FARMER (blog)
Surviving a series of unfortunate events
on March 13, 2013, at 10:13 a.m.
Life and finance can be precarious. One minute you can be riding high and the next your fortunes can change dramatically. My mom was convinced that things happen in threes, good and bad. My in-laws often talk about the universe suddenly finding you, with big things coming in bunches. I ...
DAVID FARMER (blog)
The mysteries held within hospital bills
on March 06, 2013, at 8:51 a.m.
On Election Day last year, I was working as the communications director for the statewide campaign to allow same-sex couples to receive a marriage license. I was also shuttling back and forth (mostly just back) between campaign headquarters and the hospital where my wife was waiting for emergency gallbladder surgery. ...
DAVID FARMER (blog)
Sequester only a warm-up for what could happen next
on Feb. 27, 2013, at 8:52 a.m.
Unless something in Washington changes soon, our country is about to suffer a needless and self-inflicted wound to our economy. And unless something changes in Augusta, we might be headed for an even worse debacle this summer in Maine. On Friday, across-the-board spending cuts in federal spending will kick in. ...
DAVID FARMER (blog)
Portland measures up in Chamber report
on Feb. 13, 2013, at 10:54 a.m.
For young, civic-minded entrepreneurs, luck can play a big role in success, and so can the city of Portland. For weeks, my daughter and a few of her friends from the Portland Parks and Recreation after school program have been planning a bake sale to benefit the The Animal Refuge ...
From the community
New Firefighter-Run Apparel Company to Donate Proceeds to Wells Fire Captain Who Lost Home to Fire
Portsmouth, NH – MOAR HEAT, a burgeoning clothing and apparel company started by two volunteer firefighters from Maine and New Hampshire, today launched a week-long fundraising drive to help raise money for the family of Wells Fire Captain Gillian Utgard, whose home was destroyed by an accidental fire on Feb. ...
From the community
Bernstein Shur Opens Public Affairs Consulting Company
Portland and Augusta, ME & Manchester, NH – Bernstein Shur, one of northern New England’s largest law firms, is pleased to announce broader geographic reach, expanded service offerings and new leadership for its now multi-state strategic consulting subsidiary The Bernstein Shur Group, LLC. The public affairs, strategic communications and political ...
LePage vetoes Medicaid expansion, says ‘Maine can do better’
Report: University of Maine System teacher-training programs rank among worst in nation
In support of Bangor library, schools budget
We don’t understand female politicians
Maine Sports Hall of Fame revokes Dana Wilson’s 2012 induction
Pellerin enthusiastic about job as new Lawrence High School boys varsity basketball coach
Rask gives Bruins 2-1 series lead
Retiring Hermon High School athletic administrator Soucy maintains love of sports
25 things to do this summer — boats, barbecue, the Bard and everything else
UMPI solar system model expanding into Canada
Saying goodbye to our Pakistani daughter