Strimling: Democrats got this budget right (including Mills) - Maine Beacon Maine’s legislature passed a supplemental budget this past week and Gov. Janet Mills signed it. There is a lot to like in the budget, but let me take a minute to point out perhaps the most significant...

There’s a lot packed into Maine’s newly passed supplemental budget, Opinion Columnist @strim.bsky.social writes, but one piece rises above the rest: lawmakers finally moved to increase taxes on the highest earners, reversing years of policy that favored the wealthy.

Strimling: Maine court solidifies rent control’s power to protect tenants - Maine Beacon On March 18, a Maine Superior Court judge summarily rejected the latest attempt by landlords to gut Portland’s rent control law and stifle the power of tenant unions. In fact, in her sweeping decision, Justice Darcie McElwee solidified rent control’s power to keep rents affordable in Maine’s largest city in a way many of us

A Maine judge has delivered a win for tenants, upholding Portland’s rent control law and reinforcing the power of tenant unions to hold landlords accountable. @strim.bsky.social explains how the ruling affirms the city’s ability to keep housing affordable and how other leaders should follow suit.

Maine Court Slams Landlords, Confirms Rent Control Laws Initiated by Maine DSA - Pine & Roses On March 18, a Maine Superior Court judge summarily rejected the latest attempt by landlords to gut Portland’s rent control law and stifle the power

Contributor @strim.bsky.social notes the recent ruling by a Maine court that confirms the legality of rent control laws passed in Portland, initiated by Maine DSA. Landlords are not happy. #mepolitics

Don’t be fooled – anti-trans referendum is just a distraction while they pick your pocket - Pine & Roses Maine, thankfully, has mostly resisted this wave. Our legislators have defeated numerous efforts by GOP anti-trans legislators to persecute trans

Contributor @strim.bsky.social writes on how important it is for Mainers to defeat the anti-trans referendum this Fall, and how it also serves as a tool to distract us from other issues the ultra-rich don't want us discussing. This piece originally appeared in @mainebeacon.bsky.social

Strimling: Don’t be fooled – the anti-trans referendum is just a distraction while they pick your pocket - Maine Beacon Since Pres. Donald Trump took office, the federal government and many states have rapidly escalated attacks on the trans community seeking to erode rights, block access to health care, and exclude the...

A new ballot initiative targeting trans kids isn't really about policy — it’s a political distraction designed to shift attention away from economic issues, writes Opinion columnist @strim.bsky.social. Click the link below to read Ethan's full piece!

Ep. 79 of ITA is up. Lot's on the plate, including a debate about what the uptick in GOP voters means for Maine. Ethan @strim.bsky.social says not much. Phil thinks it might show Maine is done with D's. w/ @patcallaghan6.bsky.social.

For the full podcast go to: www.youtube.com/watch?v=m21O...

Strimling: Collins has always voted for war with Iran - Maine Beacon Every time Sen. Susan Collins has made a consequential choice Susan Collins in regard to Iran, she has chosen to put us on a path to war. Back in 2015, Collins had a choice to ratify a painstakingly-n...

Sen. Susan Collins repeatedly chose escalation over diplomacy with Iran — from opposing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action to siding with Donald Trump’s latest war powers, @strim.bsky.social writes.

“War is what she wanted and war is what she got.”

Strimling: It’s time for Mills to drop out (or step up) - Maine Beacon Based on recent polling, it doesn’t look good for Gov. Janet Mills. Two new polls show her down by somewhere between seven and 38 points in her race for the Democratic nomination to unseat Sen. Susan ...

Two new polls show Gov. Janet Mills trailing in the Democratic primary to take on Collins. @strim.bsky.social argues that while the easiest political move might be for Mills to drop out, a competitive primary could ultimately strengthen Democrats. But, Mills needs bold action on affordability, fast.

Portland's Housing Development Booming After Maine DSA Sponsored Tenant Protections - Pine & Roses My personal favorite bug-a-boo, of course, is around housing. If you dare to regulate the housing market to prevent landlords from gouging tenants and to stop

Landlords cried that new tenant protections would hurt housing development in Portland, ME. @strim.bsky.social shows that hasn't been true. In fact, over the last five years development has increased since their implementation.

[Piece originally appeared in @mainebeacon.bsky.social ]

Strimling: Portland’s housing development is booming 5 years into tenant protections - Maine Beacon I have often said to the business community, “Hey, business community, you have to stop crying wolf all the time.” Seriously, when someone proposes raising the minimum wage 10 cents or $10, they screa...

Five years after Portland passed rent control and required developers to set aside 25% of new units as affordable, new data shows housing development is up — not down. Read more in Opinion columnist @strim.bsky.social's newest piece!

Opinion: Bellows is Badass - Pine & Roses That explained, my first official “Badass Award” goes to Shenna Bellows for how she has used the Secretary of State’s office to oppose Trump. She hasn’t just

We are pleased to reprint this opinion piece by @strim.bsky.social, originally published in @mainebeacon.bsky.social. Ethan acknowledges Maine Sec. of State Shenna Bellows for standing up to Trump's regime time and time again.

Strimling: Mills’ last State of the State did not meet the moment - Maine Beacon Gov. Janet Mills has officially given her final State of the State address. I wrote last week that I had hoped she would dedicate her entire speech to ICE kidnapping hundreds of our residents and the ...

Gov. Janet Mills’ final State of the State address focused largely on her record and proposals as she campaigns for the U.S. Senate, but @strim.bsky.social argues that her speech did not meet the moment — and her proposals rarely go far enough to have true impact.

Strimling: Mills should use her final State of the State to resist Trump - Maine Beacon On Tuesday night, Gov. Janet Mills will be giving her final State of the State address. These are usually speeches with hearty pomp and circumstance, lots of boasting about accomplishments, and always...

With Gov. Mills set to deliver her final State of the State Tuesday evening, @strim.bsky.social argues the moment demands something radically different. Forget policy lists or legacy talk, he writes — and instead confront Trump head-on over ICE raids, attacks on LGBTQ+ kids, and the abuse of power.

Strimling: At a dark moment, remembering Martin Luther King’s fight for equity - Maine Beacon Last week, my editor and I talked about what to write for this week’s column – and decided on a piece about the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, whose birthday was observed on Monday. I wrote this piece, ...

As ICE agents harass people and families across Maine, @strim.bsky.social looks to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for perspective in a moment marked by fear, anger and uncertainty. "I’m moved by King’s belief in all of us...to rise up in unity and tear down the systems that oppress and cage us."

In the Arena: Is Renee Good's death the tipping point? YouTube video by WMTW-TV

ITA live in 30mins! Watch as we discuss Trump calling for Collins' defeat, a Rep calling for Mills to be "taken out," and Angus calls Greenland plans, "utter nonsense." #mepolitics

@patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/live/LVYxTQP...

Strimling: Why Mainers should have hope in the tumultuous year ahead - Maine Beacon I am by nature an optimistic person about what we can accomplish through politics – and I believe that the arc of the moral universe ultimately bends toward justice. These days, maintaining that optim...

With an open governor’s race, a Senate showdown, and a high-stakes referendum ahead, Maine is heading into a political year unlike any other. Opinion columnist @strim.bsky.social explains why this moment matters, and why giving up isn’t an option.

Strimling: Yes, the GOP should give up its referendum efforts - Maine Beacon I don’t agree with uber right-wing former GOP state Rep. Larry Lockman about much. But sometimes, unlikely things happen. Like recently, when Lockman — who has a long history of homophobic, misogynist...

For more than two decades, Republican-led referendums — from voter ID to attempts to restrict abortion rights — have largely failed, while progressive initiatives have repeatedly passed at both the state and local levels. Read why below. ⬇️ Column by @strim.bsky.social.

Strimling: Why Gov. Mills is losing support among Democrats - Maine Beacon Gov. Janet Mills has a popularity problem. And not just with some Republicans who have, shall we say, disliked her for years. No, this problem is with her base. Here’s the story: In June, Gov. Janet M...

Gov. Janet Mills is losing support inside her own party, @strim.bsky.social writes. Democrats’ approval of her has fallen over 20 points since June, as folks are unhappy with ICE raids in Maine and her resistance to tougher gun laws after Lewiston. Click below to read Ethan's full column!

Strimling: A night of big wins for Maine’s progressive values - Maine Beacon If ever there was a night in Maine politics affirming this state’s progressive values, Tuesday was it. On the biggest votes of the night, from voter suppression to gun safety to raising wages to elect...

From defeating the voter suppression initiative to passing gun safety reform and raising Portland’s minimum wage, @strim.bsky.social says this election proves Mainers want bold, progressive action — and leaders who aren’t afraid to deliver it. Click the link below to read his full column!

Opinion: How to save absentee voting, make our state safer, raise wages and protect kids (spoiler: vote!) - Maine Beacon Man, November is coming up soon, and with it my favorite day of the year – Election Day. So, as my personal public service, I offer you this quick voter guide to the biggest issues on the ballot this ...

This November’s ballot could shape Maine’s future on voting rights, gun safety, wages, and protection from toxic chemicals. Opinion columnist @strim.bsky.social breaks down why he says No on 1, Yes on 2, Yes on A, and No on the pesticide repeal. Click below to read his full piece!

Apparently, #janetmills watches ITA. You should too! Go to wmtw.com/inthearena to see the full podcast. @patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social #mepolitics

Ep 61 of wmtw.com/inthearena is up where our analysts deep dive on #JanetMills entry into the US Senate race against #SusanCollins, and what this means for @grahamformaine.bsky.social and @jordanwood.bsky.social. W/ @patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social #mepolitics

Well, not choosing sides here, but Biden only got 33% of the vote in that same election. So, you can’t really bash Bernie’s team with that stat. They lost by less than 1%. And they crushed the caucus in 2016. Bernie’s message has always tapped a pretty deep vein in Maine.

Opinion: Landlord study shows Portland renters are saving $500 a month thanks to rent control (oops!) - Maine Beacon This past winter, the Rental Housing Alliance — a landlord group led by corporate landlord Brit Vitalius (whose name you might know because his group led the failed fights against rent control in Port...

A landlord-funded study meant to discredit Portland’s rent control ended up proving it works — showing tenants are saving about $500 a month, Opinion columnist @strim.bsky.social writes. Read his full piece below!

Is that a rule of journalism, or just a rule when asking a question about whether Collins is doing good by the country?

Is it “no”?

Is Sen. Susan Collins using her power as Chair of Appropriations to resolve the budget crisis? Get the full episode of In The Arena at WMTW.com/inthearena.com @patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social #mainepolitics

New episode of ITA is up. Find it at WMTW.com/inthearena Charlie Kirk, @jimmykimmel.com @grahamformaine.bsky.social Janet Mills, Susan Collins all on the agenda where we play “Fishy or Fragrant”

@patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social

Opinion: Susan Collins is no moderate and Trump knows it - Maine Beacon This summer, in a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Pres. Donald Trump told Republicans to “vote the exact opposite of Senator Susan Collins.” I couldn't agree with him more. Because if ...

Earlier this summer, Pres. Donald Trump took to Truth Social to tell Republicans to “vote the opposite of Susan Collins” in a hidden attempt to make her appear to be moderate. The truth? Collins has voted with Trump 96% of the time.

Click the link below to read @strim.bsky.social's full column!

Opinion: I will miss Bill Diamond - Maine Beacon Twenty years ago, I met Bill Diamond, who died recently, when he took the seat next to mine in the Maine Senate. I was in my second term. He had served in the Senate for four years back in the 1980s. ...

Opinion writer Ethan Strimling pays tribute to the late Bill Diamond, who served Maine for 40 years between the House, Senate, and as Sec. of State. Despite their differences, Ethan remembers Diamond as a mentor, friend, and leader who was "more progressive than he let on."

Read the full story: