Maine Wire

Breaking Down the 131st Maine Legislature with Jacob Posik

Maine Policy Institute's Director of Legislative Affairs Jacob Posik joined the Maine Wire podcast to review everything that has happened in the 131st Maine State Legislature -- the good, the bad, and the ugly. Mostly the ugly. 

Millsvilles: The Maine Wire Tours Portland’s Tent Cities

The Maine Wire's Steve Robinson and Edward Tomic take a tour of the vast tent cities, a.k.a. Millsvilles, that have sprung up all over Maine's largest city. The MW Team witnesses open-air drug deals, intravenous drug use, a half-hearted attempt to sign up Millsvillians for shelter spaces, and irate business owners pleading with government officials to do something. Robinson and Tomic react to the scene in Portland in this episode of the Maine Wire Podcast. 

Leonard Leo Full Episode

Maine Wire Editor-in-Chief Steve Robinson sat down with conservative legal activist and Co-Chairman of the Federalist Society Leonard Leo to discuss the recent Supreme Court rulings, liberal smear campaigns, and why he’s decided to become a Mainer. We have already posted Part 1 and Part 2 separately, this is the FULL EPISODE, combining those two parts. If you have already listened to part 1 and 2, there will be nothing new in this episode. 

Leonard Leo in His Own Words - Part II

Conservative legal activist and Co-Chairman of the Federalist Society Leonard Leo joined Maine Wire Editor-in-Chief for a wide-ranging interview about politics, higher education, the Supreme Court and life in Maine. In Part 2 of the interview, Leo offers his assessment of the Supreme Court case that has ended affirmative action in college admissions. According to Leo, the Supreme Court's ruling is only the beginning of a years long process to ensure the admissions policies, faculty hiring, and even corporate policies are truly color-blind. Find out more at TheMaineWire.com. 

Leonard Leo in His Own Words - Part 1

Conservative legal activist and Co-Chairman of the Federalist Society Leonard Leo joins the Maine Wire podcast to talk about the Supreme Court and the role of anonymous political giving in shaping American politics. In Part 1 of the interview, Leo responds to criticisms of him from liberal media outlets, as well as coordinated efforts to undermine the Supreme Court's legitimacy. Part 2 of the interview will be published Tuesday morning. Find out more at TheMaineWire.com. 

Sen. Eric Brakey, Rep. Laurel Libby, & Dr. Thom Page on LD 1619

Sen. Eric Brakey (R-Androscoggin) and Rep. Laurel Libby (R-Auburn) join the Maine Wire podcast Friday afternoon after a dramatic showdown in the Judiciary Committee over Gov. Janet Mills' late-term abortion bill (LD 1619). Dr. Thom Page, MD, also joins the program. Page is a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology who has practiced for more than 30 years, and he was among the expert witnesses to testify on the bill. 

The Abortion Episode w/ Carroll Conley

Carroll Conley, Executive Director of the Christian Civic League of Maine, talks about the trials and tribulations of representing evangelical Christianity at the State House. Carroll and Maine Wire Editor-in-Chief Steve Robinson discuss the ethical and spiritual implications of policies circulating Augusta, from Gov. Janet Mills' late-term abortion bill to policies that expand the influence of left-wing ideologies into Maine's schools. As a programming note: This podcast was recorded hours before the chaotic work session for LD 1619. 

Sludgepocalypse with Rep. Mike Soboleski

Rep. Mike Soboleski joins the show to tell the story of how a law aimed at advancing "environmental justice" brought Maine to the brink of environmental catastrophe. Soboleski details how he was able to find a solution that earned support from Democratic Gov. Janet Mills. Robinson and Soboleski also cover the forthcoming offshore wind boondoggle some in the Legislature are advancing, as well as Mills' late-term abortion bill, paid family leave, and Soboleski's career as an actor in both movies and television. 

Maine Wire Podcast: Trey Stewart

On the first episode of the Maine Wire Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Steve Robinson sits down with Senate Minority Leader Trey Stewart (R-Aroostook) as the legislative session draws to a close. Stewart talks about how Republicans are trying to fix the solar subsidy program set to send electricity bills soaring even higher this summer, as well as his take on the tribal sovereignty issue. Plus, Democratic leaders might be struggling to find the votes for the late term abortion bill. More: TheMaineWire.com