WERU News Report 4/8/14

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

Segment 1: Nurses, social workers and economic justice activists observed the anniversary of the murder of Martin Luther King Friday, by calling for the passage of what they call a “Robin Hood tax”. They say they are carrying on King’s legacy of working to end poverty, by supporting federal legislation that would tax wealthy stock traders. A 5% tax would be levied on stock trades, a .1% tax on bonds, and a .005% on derivative speculation. Supporters say the tax would generate $350 billion dollars per year, which would be directed toward guaranteed healthcare for all, job training and living wages, taking action on climate change, ending global HIV & AIDS, sustainable manufacturing and infrastructure, quality public education , housing, child care and mass transit.
Wearing Robin Hood hats and carrying signs saying “Take It Back, Tax Wall Street” and “Heal America, Tax Wall Street”, a group of about 20 people gathered outside the Federal Building in Bangor:

Segment 2: Last week we told you about a traveling show that’s honoring the famous campaign finance reform activist, Granny D. At the showing in Blue Hill on Sunday, Senate candidate Shenna Bellows made an appearance and gave her take on money in politics: Also saying a few words at the Granny D event Sunday was WERU regular Phil Caper of Maine AllCare:

WERU News Report 6/27/12

Producer/Host: Amy Browne
Issue: Independent Local News

Program Topics: DCP attempts to limit public input on the LPG tank plan; ACLU of Maine on the AZ immigration law ruling; and a review of Medea Benjamin’s new book on Drone Warfare

Key Discussion Points:
a) DCP Midstream, the company that wants to build a massive liquid propane tank facility in Searsport, is attempting to limit public participation at Searsport Planning Board meetings. They also outline several other complaints in a recent letter from their lawyer to the town. Features audio recorded by Ron Huber at the June 11th meeting, and interviews with Ron Huber, Executive Director of Penobscot Bay Watch and Astrig Tanguay, Searsport resident and owner of Searsport Shores Campground. FMI: www.penbay.org ; www.tbnt.org , www.dcpmidstream.com

b) Shenna Bellows, Executive Director of ACLU of Maine, responds to the Supreme Court ruling on the Arizona immigration law and discusses status of similar legislation in Maine FMI: www.aclumaine.org

c) Lisa Savage, CODEPINK Maine coordinator, reviews Medea Benjamin’s new book, Drone Warfare: Killing By Remote
Control FMI: www.codepink.org

Call In Program: no

RadioActive 4/30/09

Producers/Hosts: Amy Browne & Meredith DeFrancesco
Topic: LD1020, the same sex marriage bill sponsored by Senator Dennis Damon (Hancock), passed in the State Senate today. We talk with Senator Damon and Shenna Bellows of the Maine Civil Liberties Union, and play audio of other local area Senators (Knox, Waldo & Penobscot) debating the bill, as well as an excerpt from last week’s Public Hearing on the bill.
FMI: www.mclu.org, www.eqme.org, www.mainefreedomtomarry.org