Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z

Send us a textFrom the turbulent enactment of the FY 2026-FY 2027 biennial budget and new limits placed on concept draft legislation to conversation about home rule and the January 7, 2026, return of the Maine State Legislature, Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell revisit some of the issues discussed on the Potholes & Politics podcast in 2025. Episode Links:Real Estate Property Tax Relief Task Force public comment can be sent to legislative staff via this email: [email protected] MMA’s Grassroots Advocacy one-page resource is HERE Current LPC Listing is HERECheck out editions of the Legislative Bulletin from the first session of the 132nd Legislature HERE and contact Laura Ellis at [email protected] to subscribe or update your subscription preferences!  

Send us a textAlthough MMA Risk Management Services (RMS) staff can’t keep the snow from flying, they can help prevent people from slipping on snow and ice.  This week, Dan Whitter, RMS’s Loss Control Manager, joins Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell to share practical tips for avoiding slips, trips and falls.  He also outlines the steps municipalities can take to ensure their facilities, equipment, and staff remain safe throughout the winter season. In addition, Dan discusses the grant programs available to members enrolled in RMS programs—the Ed MacDonald Safety Enhancement Grant and Risk Reduction Grant—designed to keep staff and equipment safe from harm and costly damage.  

Send us a textNick Cloutier, current assessor for the Town of Scarborough, and soon-to-be Waterville city manager, joins Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell to provide an update on the Legislature’s Real Estate Property Tax Relief Tax Force.  Appointed by the Speaker of the House, Nick represents the interests of Maine’s tax assessors on the task force. In this episode, he outlines a range of solutions, from amending current programs such as the Property Tax Fairness Credit, to deliver immediate relief to homeowners, to long-term reforms requiring constitutional amendments.  Among these proposals is the introduction of a tiered mil rate system.  Nick also urges listeners to share their perspectives with the task force before it begins to draft its official recommendations.  

Send us a textIn this episode, Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell explore the work of the 18-member Right to Know Advisory Committee, which oversees and supports the Maine Freedom of Access Act.  They discuss who serves on the committee, what the committee does, why the work maters, and how it impacts municipalities across the state.  For those looking for a clear and concise overview of the committee’s role and responsibilities, this episode is worth a listen.  

Send us a textTanya Emery, the newest member of MMA’s advocacy team, joins Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell to discuss housing, which is a hot topic in many circles. With the rapid pace of change and growing demands being placed on municipalities and residents who have helped shape their communities, the intergovernmental relationship is being tested. In what can best be described as a “CliffsNotes” approach, the advocacy team succinctly summarizes the many housing issues that await the Maine Legislature’s return in January.  The takeaway from this episode is clear: for Maine to advance its housing goals, the concerns being raised by municipal leaders must be taken seriously. It’s all about partnership.