A much-needed, insult-free process has produced a roadmap for the future. Portland Press Herald editorial They must feel like they just came up out of the treeline and had the sun hit their faces for the first time in a while. A task force on land conservation is calling for a return to the robust Read More
Land for Maine's Future & Conservation
Land for Maine’s Future Needs Money
By George Smith Bangor Daily News column Governor Paul LePage hated public land and did everything he could to stop us from acquiring more of it, including refusing to support a bond issue for the Land for Maine’s Future, throughout his 8 years as governor. A reliable, well-funded LMF program remains essential to permanently protecting Read More
Land Conservation Shouldn’t be Subject to Political Whims
Bangor Daily News editorial An important land conservation program, which has been especially beneficial to Maine, is set to run out of money at the end of the month, if Congress does not pass legislation to reauthorize and fund it. At the same time, the next administration and Legislature must ensure Maine is a ready Read More
Pingree Hopeful about Passage of Land and Water Conservation Fund
By Mal Leary Maine Public news story Congress has until the end of September to reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) that has helped fund scores of projects in Maine. The measure has the support of all four members of Maine’s delegation, and U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree is hopeful that it will pass. Read More
Poll: Mainers Want Next Governor to be Environment Friendly
Eight in 10 voters in a new survey support Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, opposed by Gov. Paul LePage. Public News Service news story AUGUSTA, Maine — A new poll shows Mainers are not in sync with Gov. Paul LePage when it comes to the environment. Most voters want to replace him with a Read More
Poll Shows Maine Voters Ready for Action to Address Global Warming; Strong Support for Land for Maine’s Future and Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument
Augusta, Maine – Today, the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) released the results of a public opinion survey on the attitudes of likely Maine voters on a range of environmental and energy issues. The survey was completed in April by the Portland-based research firm Critical Insights. The results are being sent to more than Read More
Don’t Blame Land Conservation for Rising Maine Property Taxes
Reduced state aid to municipalities and schools is what’s putting the pinch on taxpayers. Portland Press Herald editorial For years, Gov. LePage has blamed schools for being unwilling to control costs. Now, he says, it was the land trusts all along. On the radio, in his recent State of the State address and in a Read More
Maine Land Trusts Say Governor Uses Bogus Data in Pitch to Tax Them
Conservation advocates call his claims misleading and say he ignores payments made to host towns in lieu of taxes. by Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage is once again accusing conservation groups of “ripping off” taxpayers in Maine by not paying local taxes on vast swaths of Read More
LePage Policies, Not Land Trusts, Have Driven Up Property Taxes
Bangor Daily News editorial In Tuesday’s State of the State speech, Gov. Paul LePage highlighted a serious problem that deserves attention in Augusta and beyond. Maine’s property taxes are too high, and they are rising. LePage, however, identified the wrong source of the problem. The governor, a long-time critic of land conservation, blamed land trusts Read More
