LD 774- Anyone know what the meat of this bill is??

[Submariner]

These types of bills and policies get pushed into place in Maine, due largely to Maine's two separate faces. Two entirely different cultures.

One culture is urban, the other rural.

Each of these cultures is unique and each 'feel's these issues from a different perspective.

One culture has a high population density, demands a higher level of municipal services, and by having a high percentage of the voting constituency; their carry the vote. Politicians, Legislators and Bureaucrats are going to listen to that urban group packed into one corner of the state, because staying in office depends upon catering to the largest single group of voters they can find.

The majority of Maine is rural. Having a smaller portion of the voting constituency, rural Mainer's voice is not going to be heard in Augusta.

This is a common problem in every state where one metropolitan area carries the state's vote. The vast majority of towns and villages in those states are ignored. Their concerns are not heard.

Boston has carried the policies of Mass since before the American Revolution.

The San Diego / L.A. / Santa B. / San Jose / Oakland / S.F. Metro-plex carries the state of California [even though the combined land area of those cities is still a tiny minority of California].

Back in Maine, I would imagine that an urbanite living in Portland would see and 'feel' the issues of LD774 differently.

Perhaps there is a corner of the Greater Portland suburbs that does have run-down trailer-parks, so from the Portland perspective grants to up-grade those 'poor' folk's homes would be a good thing.

[cebdark]

Originally Posted by flycessna

Maine does not need Government to create jobs!

No it doesn't, you're right, but government certainly does have to make it more hospitable for business to move here in the form of incentives.

Also, IMHO, we have prostituted ourselves as "Vacationland" so loud and so clear for so many years, that we are now reaping what we've sown in that regard - that's pretty much all we have now - the only people who can afford property here now are those who make more money out-of-state.

The average Maine family used to be able to buy a simple camp on a body of water for a reasonable price, with reasonable taxes. How's that working for us now?

The bottom line is that we need to put our "Peter Vigue" hats on an find a way to make Maine more "business-friendly."

[flycessna]

Well, my cousin in Nova Scotia, who was working out of edmonton, said he hopes to be getting a job at the new gas plant that is coming. he said the jobs should pay about $30 an hr.

HHHMMMM. now didn't Maine have an opportunity for this??

[cebdark]

Originally Posted by flycessna

Well, my cousin in Nova Scotia, who was working out of edmonton, said he hopes to be getting a job at the new gas plant that is coming. he said the jobs should pay about $30 an hr.

HHHMMMM. now didn't Maine have an opportunity for this??

Yep - and we blew it.

[cebdark]

Originally Posted by reloop

Yep - and we blew it.

Which reminds me to ask what the major problem with that was? I only caught bits and pieces during the discussion.

Was it environmental, or mansion view-related?

[dmyankee]

Originally Posted by reloop

Which reminds me to ask what the major problem with that was? I only caught bits and pieces during the discussion.

Was it environmental, or mansion view-related?

Fear and Loathing.

[cebdark]

Originally Posted by reloop

Which reminds me to ask what the major problem with that was? I only caught bits and pieces during the discussion.

Was it environmental, or mansion view-related?

I just realized that's way off topic, so I'll defer that one to the "off-topic" thread.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

This is Maine related. Canada simply said, "Don't even try to build an LNG terminal because we won't let the ships through." However, they will be happy to let the ships through Canadian waters to a second LNG terminal in St. John, New Brunswick.

This is definitely on topic because it affects the Maine economy.

[cebdark]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

This is Maine related. Canada simply said, "Don't even try to build an LNG terminal because we won't let the ships through." However, they will be happy to let the ships through Canadian waters to a second LNG terminal in St. John, New Brunswick.

This is definitely on topic because it affects the Maine economy.

I had heard that now that you mention it. It flew under my radar at the time..

How interesting.

[cebdark]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

This is Maine related. Canada simply said, "Don't even try to build an LNG terminal because we won't let the ships through." However, they will be happy to let the ships through Canadian waters to a second LNG terminal in St. John, New Brunswick.

This is definitely on topic because it affects the Maine economy.

The Bangor Daily News has an editorial written by Glenn Poole (who based on MHO and personal knowledge of knows very much of what he speaks as energy is his area of "expertise") on this very topic today. I tried to link it, but I couldn't locate it.