Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z
Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z is a podcast about municipalities in Maine and the people and policies that bring local government to your doorstep. Through stories, experiences, current events, and interviews with municipal officials this podcast will spotlight the everyday challenges and successes of local governments in our home state. Potholes & Politics is brought to you by Maine Municipal Association. Comments and suggested topics can be sent to mmapodcast@memun.org
Episodes
29 episodes
MMA Annual Convention Featured Speaker, Hannah Pingree
The Urgency of Building Resilient Communities Hannah Pingree, Di...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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59:50
The Return of the Stormwater Rangers: Tackling Urban Stormwater and Statewide Solutions
In this episode, Rebecca Squared & Amanda the new kid continue the coversation with Stormwater Super Heros - Giants of municipal water protection activities; South Portland's Stormwater Coordinator
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1:14:45
Inside the Eleventh-Hour Legislative Scramble: Budget Battles, Housing Solutions, and the Quest for Transparent Governance
The statutory adjournment day of the 131st was April 18th, but the Legislature only recessed carrying many pieces of legislature over that was indefinitely postposed in a chaotic and partisan late night. As the Legislature did not adjou...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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45:16
Easter Monday Emergency Episode
In a surprise move, the legislature came into session today and upended the Governor’s supplemental budget request. After spending the weekend consulting with municipal officials in their home communities, the tone changed drastically.
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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9:56
First Legislative Update of 2024 - 2nd Session, February 1
Much delayed first legislative breakdown of the second session has dropped. This week we only go over what has happened for the First week of February though staff has been underwater with carryover initiatives during the entire month of Januar...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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47:50
Stormwater 101 with Maine Stormwater Rangers
Why should you care about stormwater? What is a MS4 regulated community? Why do people pick up their dog poo and put it in a bag only to dump it on the trail or in the storm drain? What is a harbor trout? In this episode, Rebecca S...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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43:38
Measuring Municipal Mill Rates 101 - Shining the Light on Maine's Tax Assessors
The sensationalized headlines around heated municipal meetings targeting municipal tax assessment changes, and property reevaluation haven't offered much in the way of educating the public around the root causes of Mill Rate and property ...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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55:22
Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows at MMA's 87th Annual Convention
This week we are highlighting one of the conversations from MMA's 87th Annual Convention held at the Augusta Civic Center, October 4 & 5, 2023. This year's convention theme was "Lead, Motivate, Communicate" and featured dynamic spea...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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14:50
Pumpkinfest Latte's and Maine Law Enforcement Accreditation (MLEAP) Programs
While it seems like we may have been on vacation, the intersession work has been in full swing and Legislative Committees including Judiciary and Housing are back at it next week! This episode we dive into the
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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49:13
Senior Property Tax Stabilization, What Happened? What is Next?
Last year, LD 290, An Act To Stabilize Property Taxes for Individuals 65 Years of Age or Older Who Own a Homestead for at Le...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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45:38
On The Road: Aroostook County
Rebecca Squared took a break from Augusta last week and spent some time talking with local government leaders in Aroostook County. The week before they hit the National League of Cities Staff Convention in Bos...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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57:04
Episode 16- The End is Not Here....YET!
Well, the 1st Session was meant to end June 15, but we are in the 1st Special Session that won't end....at least amicably so it seems. Here is where we are this week...and soon we will be in your communities too!
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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31:50
Episode 15 - Special Session Winding Up - Updates & Action Calls
Our necessary hiatus from our weekly podcast has been afforded a brief reprieve. Advocacy staff have been drinking from a firehouse of legislation and hearings on platform bills that have been waiting since cloture for printing and assignment t...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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35:17
Episode 14 - Planning for ADU's, School Board Election Timing, Funding Jail Health Care
Episode 14 - Planning for ADU's, School Board Election Timing, Funding Jail Health CareMuch delayed episode in a midst of a crazy session! This week we break down the public hearings on MMA Platform bills on:
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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36:33
Episode 13 - Public Safety Cardiac Health, Chicken Fingers & Weed
Episode 13 - Public Safety Cardiac Health, Chicken Fingers & WeedThis week, Lambo & Grahambo breakdown legislation from March 23rd
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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55:28
Bonus Episode - Policing Ethics Lessons from the Holocaust
As we prepare for Holocaust Remembrance Day, Maine Municipal Association, Maine Chiefs of Police Association, and several other stakeholders had the opportunity to recei...
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Season 1
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Episode 0
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32:39
Episode 12 - The Greed & Weed Episode
Episode 12 - The Greed & Weed EpisodeWith surprise guest star, Dexter Kimball future MMA podcast host. This week our Legislative Bulletin we cover MMA's platform bill for Cannabis Revenue Sharing
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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27:27
Episode 11- The Newspaper Empire Strikes Back
Episode 11- The Newspaper Empire Strikes Back! This week we break down hearings on: LD 422- An Act to Eliminate the Requiremen...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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25:05
Episode 10 - ELDT, What to do with Dead Bodies & Engineering Projects Over 100K
Episode 10 - ELDT, What to do with Dead Bodies & Engineering Projects Over 100KA Qui*t (We don't say that word out loud, just like actors refer to the "Scottish Play") week in Augusta on the municipal front except for our monthly LP...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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29:47
Episode 9 - Tax Acquired Property, Elections & Cops Oh My!
Episode 9 - Tax Acquired Property, Elections & Cops Oh My! This week, an exhausted Potholes Crew, Rebecca Squared, break down legislative proposals around: LD 101 - An Act to Return to the Former Owner Any Excess F...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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26:46
Episode 8 - Legislative Bulletin Breakdown
The Legislature is back in session and back in person! What has changed since Covid? What has remained? How does it effect the public policy debate? These will be the continued questions we explore. This week our podcast a...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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29:45
Episode 7- New Year, New Legislature, New Co-Host
Episode 7 - New Year, New Legislature, New Co-HostHow does the Advocacy Team determine what bills to place before the Legislative Policy Committee to determine the municipal position on any Legislative proposal? What is mor...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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19:05
Episode 6 - Housing & Homelessness in Aroostook County
Housing and Homelessness in Maine is primarily discussed through the lens of Maine's largest cities. This episode Potholes and Politics features three local government leaders, Aroostook County Administrator, Ryan Pelletier, Madawaska Town Mana...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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58:39
Episode 5 – Elections and Security
As Maine prepares for elections next week, Rebecca sits down with, current Deputy Director of the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council and former 2020 Director of Elections for the State of Georgia, Chris Harvey, to discuss the...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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1:08:21