Tag: legislation

WERU News Report 3/23/11

Producer/Host: Amy Browne
Contributor: Marge May

**NOTE: There are a few seconds of hissing sound at the beginning of this audio file before the show starts.**

Segment 1: Local Food and Community Self-Governance Ordinance of 2011

These ordinances have now been passed in Penobscot and Sedgwick, and been defeated in Brooksville voters by a margin of just 9 votes. The town of Blue Hill will be voting on the issue on April 2nd. For some background on the movement, WERU’s Marge May spoke with a local farmer Heather Retberg, owner of Quill’s End Farm in Penobscot. (Note: This interview originally aired on WERU’s “Women’s Windows”)

Segment 2: Local News Headlines
As hundreds of workers rallied in support of unions in Augusta yesterday, Governor LePage has ordered that a mural depicting labor history in Maine, be removed from the lobby of the Department of Labor. He has also ordered that conference rooms bearing the names of heroes of the labor movement be renamed…
At a statehouse news conference earlier today, sportsmen, lake advocates, and experts on wildlife, water quality and fisheries decried legislative attacks on Maine’s natural heritage (LDs 1, 156, 159, 219, 341, 434, 872, 888, 1022 and 1031)…
A group of small business owners and the Maine Small Business Coalition, held a press conference in Portland yesterday, ahead of the Maine Bureau of Insurance’s public hearing on Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield’s proposed rate increase on individual health insurance plans…
Animal Welfare Advocates to plan to Lobby State Legislators at the Capitol Tomorrow…

Segment 3: LePage TV
Governor LePage– well known for avoiding talking to media or attending debates when he was on the campaign trail, now has his own TV show. “Inside the Blaine House”, which premiered this week, is hosted by Chamber of Commerce employees and stars the Governor himself… (Time Warner Cable TV and www.MaineVOD.com)

WERU News Report 2/23/11

Producer/Host: Amy Browne
Contributor: Gina Wertz

Topic: The Eastern Maine Labor Council, Food AND Medicine and Food for Maine’s Future sponsored a Legislative Forum in Brewer earlier this month, providing an opportunity for legislators to hear from Mainers working on a variety of issues. Here are some excerpts, including speakers George Burgoyne, a retired state employee, and a trustee for the Maine State Retirement System; Bob St. Peter, Director of Food for Maine’s Future; Bill Murphy, Bureau of Labor Education; Vanessa Sylvester, Maine State Nurses Association; Representative Adam Goode of Bangor; Senator Richard Rosen of Bucksport, and several surrounding communities; Rep. Louis Luchini, District 38, Ellsworth, Otis and Trenton

RadioActive 2/25/10

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

Topic:  Cell Phone Dangers & Pending Labeling Legislation

Interviews with investigative journalist & blogger Christopher Ketcham, author of a recent article that is drawing national attention to dangers associated with cell phones (“Warning: Your Cell Phone May Be Hazardous to your Health”— GQ Magazine, Feb.2010), and with Maine State Representative Andrea Boland who is introducing LD 1706, “An Act To Create the Children’s Wireless Protection Act”.

The Health and Human Services Committee will hold a public hearing re: the proposed legislation, on March 2, 2010 at 1p.m.   The public may offer written or verbal testimony at that time.   Rep. Boland advises that in order for written comments to be entered into the record, the committee must receive 20 copies by mail at the following address:  Health & Human Services Committee, 100 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333 prior to the hearing on 3/2/10 or the work session on 3/9/10.  If you are unable to make copies yourself, Rep. Boland can assist you.   Her email is sixwings@metrocast.net, or mail her c/o Clerk of the House, 2 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04334  The H&HS Committee can by reached c/o Jan Clark, jan.clark.@legislature.maine.gov

FMI:  www.christopherketcham.com  http://electromagnetichealth.org/ http://www.gq.com/cars-gear/gear-and-gadgets/201002/warning-cell-phone-radiation,  http://www.microwavenews.com/

RadioActive 2/11/10

Producers/Hosts: Amy Browne & Meredith DeFrancesco

Segment 1: A deadline is looming for those hoping to get a public hearing on a large scale industrial wind project in Western Maine.  Today we talk with Jonathan Carter of the Forest Ecology Network, a group that vocally opposes the project.   (FMI: www.forestecologynetwork.org)  Requests for a public hearing on the Highland Wind Power Project (DP 4862) can be emailed by 2/19/10 to Marcia.Spencer-Famous@maine.gov

And we talk with Heather Spaulding of MOFGA, about LD1547, “An Act to Revise Notification Requirements for Pesticides Applications Using Aircraft and Air Carrier Equipment, which would Streamline Maine’s Pesticide Notification System.  FMI:  www. mofga.org , www.thinkfirstspraylast.org

Link to bill:  http://www.legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1547&snum=124

RadioActive 1/21/10

Producers/Hosts: Amy Browne & Meredith DeFrancesco

The Natural Resources Council of Maine is calling upon it’s membership to attend public hearings in Augusta tomorrow on what it calls “Three of the most important bills of this legislative session”.   Matt Prindiville, the Project Director of the Toxics and Clean Production campaign at the Natural Resources Council of Maine, is with us today to tell us why the NRCM considers LDs 1662, 1631 and 1568 to be so important
And as we’ve reported in the past on RadioActive,  legislation has been introduced that would regulate the use of Solitary Confinement in Maine prisons, which many believe is being used abusively.    At a press conference in Augusta this morning it was announced that a coalition of groups has come together to work for the passage of LD 1611 “An Act to Ensure Humane Treatment of Special Management Unit Prisoners” (sponsored by Rep. Jim Schatz, Blue Hill), including the Maine Civil Liberties Union, the Jeremiah Project, the Maine Psychological Association, the NAACP- Portland Branch, and the Maine Council of Churches. We speak to Emily Posner of Mainers Against the Abuse of Solitary Confinement.  FMI: maineprisonjustice.org

The Natural Resources Council of Maine is calling upon it’s membership to attend public hearings in Augusta tomorrow on what it calls “Three of the most important bills of this legislative session”.   Matt Prindiville, the Project Director of the Toxics and Clean Production campaign at the Natural Resources Council of Maine, is with us today to tell us why the NRCM considers LDs 1662, 1631 and 1568 to be so important.  FMI: www.nrcm.org

And as we’ve reported in the past on RadioActive,  legislation has been introduced that would regulate the use of Solitary Confinement in Maine prisons, which many believe is being used abusively.    At a press conference in Augusta this morning it was announced that a coalition of groups has come together to work for the passage of LD 1611 “An Act to Ensure Humane Treatment of Special Management Unit Prisoners” (sponsored by Rep. Jim Schatz, Blue Hill), including the Maine Civil Liberties Union, the Jeremiah Project, the Maine Psychological Association, the NAACP- Portland Branch, and the Maine Council of Churches. We speak to Emily Posner of Mainers Against the Abuse of Solitary Confinement.  FMI: maineprisonjustice.org