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I"# "ENTER
FOOLING MAINE
A report by Maine's Majority Education Fund and the Center for Media and Democracy November 201
Table of Contents
!ummary"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" About #s""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""$ %o& the nationa' conservative movement infi'trated Maine"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""( )he Maine %erita*e +o'icy Center's ,i*ht-.in* Advocacy"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""/ #nderminin* Maine's Ne&s Media""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""10 0nfi'tratin* the 1e*is'ature"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""12 A Mouthpiece for 2ut-of-!tate Conservative 0nterests""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""1( Avoidin* Accountabi'ity""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""1/ Financia''y )ied to the 32+"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""14 Appendi5 A6 Affi'iations &ith 2ut-of-!tate Conservative 3roups""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""20 Appendi5 76 Maine %erita*e +o'icy Center and A1EC6 +ushin* a Coordinated ,i*ht-.in* A*enda in Maine"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""21 Notes""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""2$
Summary
For decades8 conservative specia' interests have invested heavi'y in a nationa' net&or9 of thin9 tan9s8 media out'ets8 and 'obbyin* *roups aimed at shapin* pub'ic opinion and advancin* 'e*is'ation favorab'e to bi* business" )hese entities have achieved tremendous success in 'o&erin* ta5es on the rich8 beatin* bac9 attempts to e5pand hea'th care covera*e8 ro''in* bac9 environmenta' and hea'th and safety re*u'ations8 and advancin* other 9ey components of the conservative a*enda" )he inf'uence of such or*ani:ations as the American 1e*is'ative E5chan*e Counci'8 %erita*e Foundation8 #"!" Chamber of Commerce8 Cato 0nstitute8 and American Enterprise 0nstitute is &e'' documented" 1ess understood8 ho&ever8 is ho& these nationa' *roups have bui't 'oca' apparatus to e5ert contro' over pub'ic po'icy at the state and 'oca' 'eve's8 in particu'ar states such as Maine" 7e*innin* in the 14;0s and 1440s8 'oca' franchises of nationa' thin9 tan9s be*an sprin*in* up across the country to author po'icy &hite papers8 provide e5pert testimony8 and inject s9e&ed data into state pub'ic po'icy discussions" !tate-based conservative <ne&s= services have a'so emer*ed8 mas>ueradin* as reputab'e press8 in some cases distributin* content throu*h unsuspectin* mainstream media" And &ith nationa' support8 'oca' conservative interests advanced bi*-business friend'y 'e*is'ation and active'y supported its passa*e8 often permanent'y a'terin* pub'ic po'icy in affected states" Maine8 'on* 9no&n for its po'itica' civi'ity and moderation8 has in the past decade emer*ed as a mode' for conservative infi'tration of state po'itics" 7e*innin* &ith the arriva' of the Maine %erita*e +o'icy Center in 20028 Maine's po'itica' c'imate has under*one a radica' transformation8 &hich cu'minated in 20108 &hen )ea +arty candidate +au' 1e+a*e &as e'ected *overnor" )his report8 the 'atest in a series on the inf'uence of bi* money and outside interests in Maine po'itics8 chronic'es the foundin* and activity of the Maine %erita*e +o'icy Center8 and 'oo9s at ho& this 'oca' franchise of the nationa' conservative po'itica' machine bui't a &eb of inf'uence to fundamenta''y a'ter the ma9eup of Maine po'itics" 2ur report endeavors to te'' the story of ho& out-of-state bi*-monied interests ? in particu'ar8 the conservative !tate +o'icy Net&or9 ? franchised and incubated the M%+C" 0t a'so sho&s ho& the or*ani:ation u'timate'y *re& beyond its o&n &a''s by estab'ishin* a net&or9 of ties to 'e*is'ative ,epub'icans and the Maine ,epub'ican +arty8 usin* this capacity to systematica''y advance conservative po'icy priorities and create a favorab'e c'imate for conservative po'itica' candidates"
About Us
Maine's Majority Education Fund
Maine's Majority Education Fund is a nonpartisan8 nonprofit (01@cA@ A or*ani:ation that conducts independent research into the pub'ic po'icy issues affectin* our state8 and promotes just and sustainab'e so'utions to pressin* community prob'ems" .e be'ieve *overnment &or9s best &hen it is transparent and accountab'e8 and &hen its citi:ens are &e'' informed" For more information8 visit &&&"MainesMajorityEducation"or*"
has consistent'y refused to disc'ose the sources of its fundin*" !cant pub'ic'y avai'ab'e documents revea' that a majority of its revenues in 'ater years &ou'd come from nationa' conservative foundations @see be'o&A" !oon after its foundin*8 the *roup be*an *ainin* 'oca' media attention8 &ith 7ec9er appearin* in ne&s reports opposin* Democratic then-3overnor Gohn 7a'dacci's Diri*o%ea'th universa' hea'th care proposa'" 0n 'ate 200 8 the *roup started pub'ishin* a >uarter'y ne&s'etter ca''ed Diri*o.atch8( the so'e purpose of &hich &as to stir up opposition to the proposa'" 0n 200$8 the M%+C e5panded its advocacy to inc'ude the )a5payer 7i'' of ,i*hts @)A72,AE8 a proposa' to 'imit *overnment spendin* by popu'ar ba''ot initiative" .hen )A72, fai'ed at the po''s in 200E8 the *roup too9 the 'ead on draftin* and promotin* a second initiative @dubbed <)A72, 00=A8 &hich fai'ed to pass in 2004" 7ec9er ran the or*ani:ation unti' 200/8 &hen he 'eft to resume his career in the financia' industry"/ %e &as succeeded by the M%C+'s hea'th reform initiatives director )arren 7ra*don8 &ho 'eft in 2010 to run 3overnor-e'ect +au' 1e+a*e's transition team before directin* one of the !tate +o'icy Net&or9's affi'iates in F'orida"; 1ance Dutson served as CE2 from 2010 to 20128 seein* the or*ani:ation throu*h unprecedented co''usion &ith the ,epub'ican-'ed *overnment" %e &ent on to run ,epub'ican Char'ie !ummers' campai*n for #"!" !enate"4 )he M%C+ is current'y 'ed by G" !cott Moody810 &ho former'y &or9ed for the %erita*e Foundation and the )a5 Foundation"
)he M%C+'s support for )A72, in Maine &as not mere'y symbo'ic ? the or*ani:ation 'itera''y &rote the 200E bi'' and &ent on to pour more than J(08000 of secret money into support of )A72, 00"1$ 0t successfu''y resisted a'' attempts to re>uire it to disc'ose the names of its )A72, bac9ers8 u'timate'y 'eadin* observers to >uestion the source of these monies"1( 0n fact8 the M%C+ has a history of &or9in* &ith controversia' out-of-state interests" .ith the he'p of the nationa' *roup Citi:ens A*ainst 3overnment .aste - a tobacco-industry-funded *roup1E that 'aundered money for Gac9 Abramoff1/ - it re'eased three <pi*'et= boo9s detai'in* purported'y &astefu' state *overnment spendin*"1; )he administration of former 3overnor Gohn 7a'dacci accused the M%C+ of usin* <outdated= and <contradictory= information in its 2004 +i*'et 7oo9" Durin* the 2012 federa' <fisca' c'iff= ne*otiations8 the M+%C &as one of many conservative *roups that si*ned a 'etter ur*in* 'a&ma9ers to 9eep their p'ed*e not to raise ta5es"14 )he coa'ition of ri*ht-&in* *roups8 se'f-described as <nationa' and state po'icy *roups8= sent the 'etter to 32+ 'a&ma9ers" 2ther or*ani:ations in the coa'ition inc'uded the Nationa' )a5payers #nion8 the American Conservative #nion8 32+ +roud8 and severa' other state-based thin9 tan9s"
e5pandin* pub'ic'y funded vouchers for private schoo' tuition8 and for-profit on'ine charter schoo's" 0n 201 8 M%+C champion !enator 3arrett Mason @,-1isbon Fa''sA sponsored 1D 1(248 FAn Act )o E5pand !choo' Choice for Maine !tudents8= / and the M%+C ran automated phone ca''s in support of the bi''" At the same time8 the M%+C's Maine .ire issued a series of artic'es supportin* privati:ed education and the for-profit out-of-state corporations that &i'' benefit from it" )hese artic'es inc'ude6 1e+a*e 7'asts A'fond on <#nconscionab'e= Attac9 on +ub'ic !choo' ; Charter !choo' Enemy A'fond Addresses MaineBs First Charter !choo' 3rads 4 3ov" 1e+a*e Char*es For&ard &ith )eacher Accountabi'ity and !choo' Choice 7i''s$0 1e+a*eBs Education ,eforms a .in for Maine !tudents$1
11
Michae' )hibodeau is the present ,epub'ican minority 'eader of the Maine !tate !enate" !en" )hibodeau has used his position to active'y support the &or9 of the M%+C" 0n December 20118 he attended the M%+C's Activist )rainin* Day8 even *oin* so far as to spea9 to the *roup from the !enate f'oor"$/ !en" )hibodeau has sponsored mu'tip'e pieces of M%+C-bac9ed 'e*is'ation" 0n the 2010 'e*is'ative session8 )hibodeau sponsored t&o anti-spendin* bi''s6 1D 11( 8 <An Act to ,e*u'ate the 7onded 0ndebtedness of the !tate8=$; and 1D 12$;8 <An Act to ,e>uire Approva' by the Koters of 1e*is'ation to Enact or 0ncrease a )a5 or Fee"=$4 )hat same year he co-sponsored 1D E(48 <An Act to ,epea' the Maine C'ean E'ection 1a&s8=(0 and recent'y he co-sponsored the 1D 1(248 <An Act )o E5pand !choo' Choice for Maine !tudents8= &hich &ou'd have funne'ed ta5payer money to for-profit education companies"(1 Caro' .eston8 !tate Director of the a''ied *roup Americans for +rosperity ? Maine8 served as )hibodeau's campai*n treasurer durin* the 2012 e'ection"(2
Senator Garrett Mason (R-Lisbon Falls)
A risin* star in Maine's conservative movement8 !enator 3arrett Mason has spent his po'itica' career championin* M%+C's anti-*overnment and for-profit education a*endas" Ear'ier this year8 he sponsored 1D 1(248 <An Act )o E5pand !choo' Choice for Maine !tudents"= M%+C ran automated phone ca''s in support of the bi''"( M%+C Education +o'icy Ana'yst Amanda C'ar9 'obbied for its passa*e" 0n 201 8 Mason cosponsored 1D E;08 <An Act )o Nu''ify the Federa' +atient +rotection and Affordab'e Care Act of 2010"=($ 0n 20128 Mason promoted the M%+C on his campai*n &ebsite"((
12
Former %ouse Assistant Majority 1eader and current !tate !enator Andre Cushin* has a history of stron* support for out-of-state conservative interests" %e is a 'on*time member of the conservative American 1e*is'ative E5chan*e Counci' @A1ECA8 a nationa' *roup that uses 'oca' e'ected officia's 'i9e Cushin* to advance pro-corporate 'e*is'ation at the state 'eve'" Cushin* has used his position to support a number of A1EC bi''s and even trave'ed to an A1EC conference at ta5payers' e5pense"(E Cushin* attended both of M%+CBs 'e*is'ative dinners(/ @on &e'fare reform and pension reformA in 2011H and Cushin*'s po'itica' action committee8 the ,espect Maine +AC8 disbursed a tota' of J180$2 to the Maine %erita*e +o'icy Center in 2011 and 2012"(; ,espect Maine has a'so funded Cushin*'s trips to A1EC conferences"(4 .hi'e servin* as Assistant Majority 1eader8 he cosponsored t&o bi''s of interest to M%+C6 1D $48 <An Act to ,e>uire the 0nc'usion of a Financia' !tatement on !choo' Administrative #nit 7ond 2b'i*ations .hen Kotin* on a !choo' Construction +roject= in 2011H and 1D 12$;8 <An Act to ,e>uire Approva' by the Koters of 1e*is'ation to Enact or 0ncrease a )a5 or Fee= in 2010"
Senator Rodne! Whitte ore (R-Sho"hegan)
0n the 2010 'e*is'ative session8 !en" .hittemore cosponsored t&o M%+C bi''s8 1D E08 <An Act to ,epea' the Maine Certificate of Need Act of 2002H=E0 and 1D 1 8 <An Act to Modify ,atin* +ractices for 0ndividua' and !ma'' 3roup %ea'th +'ans and )o Encoura*e Ka'ue-7ased +urchasin* of %ea'th Care !ervices8=E1 &hich resu'ted in hea'th care rate hi9es for many consumers" %e a'so attended M%+CBs 2011 .e'fare ,eform 'e*is'ative dinner"E2
Representati#e $en Fredette (R-%e"port) - House Minority Leader
,ep" Fredette contro's a po'itica' action committee ca''ed 1eadership for Maine's Future" 0n 200/8 the +AC *ave the M%+C J182(0 for unspecified reasons"E 0n 201 8 Fredette authored an opinion piece for the M%+C's Maine .ire bemoanin* <'ibera' po'iticians M&ho areN bac9 in contro' of the state 1e*is'ature"=E$
Representati#e A ! &ol' (R-Scarborough)
Amy Ko'9 is the 'ead ,epub'ican on the Goint !tandin* Committee on 1abor8 Commerce8 ,esearch and Economic Deve'opment" !he a'so cosponsored one of the anti-union bi''s bac9ed by the M%C+8 1D /;E8 <An Act to Ensure the Ko'untary Membership of +ub'ic Emp'oyees in #nions"=E( 0n Apri' 2011 committee hearin*s8 she served as a 'ead proponent of both anti-union 'e*is'ative measures" 0n 201 8 Ko'9 to'd the Maine .ireEE that <the state never had any business co''ectin* fees for the state &or9ersB union" 0tBs mora''y &ron* to *arnish state &or9ersB &a*es &ithout their consent8= she opined" <)his proposa' is *oin* to come bac9 every 'e*is'ature unti' itBs corrected"= 0n Au*ust 201 8 Ko'9 pub'ished an editoria' in the Portland Press Herald tit'ed <Maine's unhea'thy Democratic-union a''iance th&arts economic *ro&th"=E/
1
Ko'9 has a'so been a drivin* force behind the effort to privati:e Maine's schoo's" 0n addition to her 'e*is'ative support for for-profit education8 she serves as board president of Maine Connections Academy8E; an on'ine schoo' that &i'' benefit financia''y if for-profit charter schoo's are a''o&ed to move for&ard in Maine" Maine Connections Academy is a proposed fu''-time state&ide virtua' pub'ic charter schoo' that &ou'd be operated by Connections Academy8 a nationa' on'ine education company &ith stron* historica' ties to A1EC"
Representati#e $athleen Chase (R-Wells)
!ince 20048 Iath'een Chase has co-sponsored five M%+C bi''s6 1D 11( 8 <An Act to ,e*u'ate the 7onded 0ndebtedness of the !tate= @2010AE4H 1D E08 <An Act to ,epea' the Maine Certificate of Need Act of 2002= @2010AH 1D E(48 <An Act to ,epea' the Maine C'ean E'ection 1a&s=/0 @2010AH 1D 1$ ;8 <An Act to +ermit Charter !choo's in Maine=/1 @2004AH and 1D 10;;8 <An Act to Moderni:e the )a5 1a&s and +rovide over J/(80008000 to ,esidents of the !tate in )a5 ,e'ief=/2 @2004A"
Go#ernor (aul Le(age
)he M%C+'s ties to the 1e+a*e administration are e5tensive" M%C+ CE2 )arren 7ra*don 'eft the *roup in 2010 to run 1e+a*e's transition team" )he fo''o&in* year8 he came under fire from the Maine !tate Emp'oyees Association &hen he sent fundraisin* emai's for the M%+C to state emp'oyees/ &hi'e he &as a member of the 1e+a*e transition team" At the time8 the Maine !tate Emp'oyees Association pointed out that it is i''e*a' for state officers and emp'oyees to so'icit po'itica' contributions from state &or9ers" A 2012 Maine's Majority investi*ation found c'ose co''aboration bet&een M%+C e5ecutive director 1ance Dutson and hi*h-ran9in* members of the 1e+a*e Administration" )he investi*ation8 &hich inc'uded a revie& of emai' communications obtained under the Freedom of Access Act8 found that the M%+C and !tate )reasurer 7ruce +o'i>uin conspired to oust Maine !tate %ousin* Authority director Da'e McCormic9" Durin* one e5chan*e8 +o'i>uin instructed an M!%A board member to ta9e an op-ed draft and <run it by 1ance MDutsonN"=/$ 1e+a*e tapped former M%C+ head of education initiatives !teve 7o&en to become education commissioner in 2011" 7o&en 'ed the administration's efforts to divert pub'ic education money to for-profit on'ine charter schoo's" %e attended an Au*ust 201 M%+C 'uncheon in support of charter schoo's @see aboveA"
1$
1(
Cato 0nstitute Donors Capita' Fund Donors)rust Ga>ue'in %ume Foundation GM Foundation Nea' and Gane Freeman Foundation !tate +o'icy Net&or9 ,oe Foundation Known total
D"C" Kir*inia Kir*inia Ca'ifornia Ne& Lor9 F'orida Kir*inia !outh Caro'ina
200E;2 200(-2011 2010 200/-2011 200$-200/ 200 -2011 200/-2010 200(-2011 2003-2011
1E
A oidin! Accountability
)he Maine %erita*e +o'icy Center has a 'on* history of controversia' activity8 in many cases s9irtin* the 'a& to achieve its po'itica' objectives" 0n 2ctober 200E8 the Maine Commission on 3overnmenta' Ethics and E'ection +ractices investi*ated the M%+CBs invo'vement in the referendum campai*n for the )a5payerBs 7i'' of ,i*hts @)A72,A" )he Commission decided that M%+C does not fa'' under the definition of a +o'itica' Action Commitee8 but re>uired the or*ani:ation to fi'e a financia' disc'osure report because it had spent more than J18(00 campai*nin* for )A72," 2n appea'8 the !upreme Court of Maine affirmed the !uperior CourtBs ru'in*"; 0n the end8 M%+C did not revea' detai'ed contributions8 on'y a &ithdra&a' from its account to support the initiative";$ 1ater it did the same &ith re*ard to its financia' support for )A72, 00" )he M%C+'s bac9ers have a'so &or9ed to infi'trate the Maine Ethics Commission itse'f &ithout proper disc'osure" Maine Ethics Commissioner Gean 3inn Marvin fai'ed to report that she &as a M%+C board member &hen she &as considered for the appointment" 0t 200E8 it &as revea'ed that Marvin omitted her M%+C board membership on her <>ua'ification-to-serve= form8 and therefore Ethics Commission E5ecutive Director Gonathan .ayne and others <mista9en'y thou*ht she had been appropriate'y Oc'earedB to serve on the commission"= A Lewiston Sun Journal opinion piece pointed out that as M%+CBs treasurer8 Marvin may have participated in fundraisin* activities for the thin9 tan98;( &hich are *enera''y prohibited for members of the Maine Ethics Commission";E As a (01@cA@ A or*ani:ation8 'obbyin* may not ma9e up a substantia' portion of the M%+CBs activities8 and the or*ani:ation is prohibited from <direct'y or indirect'y participatin* in8 or intervenin* in8 any po'itica' campai*n on beha'f of @or in opposition toA any candidate for e'ective pub'ic office"= %o&ever8 in 20048 the Maine %erita*e +o'icy Center set up a ba''ot >uestion committee @tit'ed the <Maine %erita*e +o'icy Center=A to support Puestion 2 @decreasin* the automobi'e e5cise ta5A and Puestion $ @a ta5payer bi'' of ri*htsA";/ ,ecords from the Maine E'ections Commission;; sho& that the M%C+'s ba''ot >uestion committee received J(28E ("/; in cash contributions from <3enera' )reasury )ransfers= and J28212 in in-9ind contributions direct'y from the Maine %erita*e +o'icy Center" 0n 20118 another ba''ot >uestion committee tit'ed <)he Maine %erita*e +o'icy Center= &as set up to oppose Puestion 1 @a pub'ic veto of 1a& 44 ? E'imination of !ame Day Koter ,e*istrationA" ,ecords sho&;4 that the J48$$E"12 in cash contributions this ba''ot >uestion committee received a'so came from <3enera' )reasury )ransfers"= 7y ma9in* <3enera' )reasury )ransfers8= the M%C+ &as effective'y ab'e to 'aunder po'itica' money" Despite the fact that it initia''y received these contributions from entities that support its mission and a*enda8 and despite the fact these same contributions &ere used to support a ba''ot campai*n8 the pub'ic has not been informed of their true source" @)he 0,! defines a <ba''ot initiative= as <'e*is'ation8= and (01@cA@ A or*ani:ations are a''o&ed to
1/
participate in 'imited 'obbyin* activity" )herefore8 the 0,! *enera''y considers e5penditures to support or oppose initiatives or referendums to be 'obbyin* e5penditures rather than po'itica' campai*n activity"A
1;
14
)he Maine %erita*e +o'icy CenterBs !tephen 7o&en8 head of education initiatives8 &as 'isted in A1EC interna' documents4$ as attendin* A1ECBs Au*ust 2010 Education )as9 Force meetin* in !an Die*o8 representin* M%+C" )he Portland Press Herald95 reported that 7o&en &as an A1EC member in 20118 and &as 'ater appointed MaineBs education commissioner" )he M%+C has he'd joint press conferences4E and drafted reports4/ &ith the %erita*e Foundation" )he M%+CBs CE28 G" !cott Moody8 &as a !enior Economist at the %erita*e Foundation" )he M%+C re'eased three <+i*'et= boo9s &ith Citi:ens A*ainst 3overnment .aste"4; )he M%+C ho'ds joint events &ith AF+ - Maine"44 Former M%+C CE2 )arren 7ra*don is the brother of )revor 7ra*don8 &ho heads AF+ ? Maine" )he Fran9'in Center 'ists M%+C as its Maine affi'iate"100 )he M%+CBs CE28 G" !cott Moody8 &as a !enior Economist at the )a5 Foundation"101 G" !cott Moody is 'isted as a supporter and si*ner of Freedom.or9sB press re'ease opposin* the Affordab'e Care Act as a representative of M%+C" 2ther or*ani:ations inc'uded the American Conservative #nion8 Americans for +rosperity8 C'ub for 3ro&th8 Americans for )a5 ,eform8 Crossroads 3+!8 Nationa' )a5payers #nion8 )ea +arty E5press8 and various state-based ri*ht-&in* thin9 tan9s"102
*erita"e +oundation
'iti,ens A"ainst -o#ernment .aste Ameri ans /or 0ros1erit2 +ran3lin 'enter 4&e 4a% +oundation
+reedom .or3s
20
A''endi/ 10 Maine Herita!e "olicy Center and A-EC0 "ushin! a Coordinated #i!ht$%in! A!enda in Maine
)he Maine %erita*e +o'icy Center @M%+CA is c'ose'y connected to the nationa' controversia' or*ani:ation the American 1e*is'ative E5chan*e @A1ECA throu*h both promotin* A1ECBs a*enda in Maine and specifica''y coordinatin* &ith A1EC" M%+C sent a representative across the country to !an Die*o to attend an A1EC meetin* in Au*ust 20108 and has a'so hosted A1EC staff at its o&n meetin*s in Maine" M%+C has a'so promoted A1ECBs <,ich !tates8 +oor !tates= reports in events and artic'es on its &ebsite"10 )&o M%+C events &ere he'd in March 20118 one in 7an*or10$ and another in +ort'and810( that featured the director of A1ECBs )a5 and Fisca' +o'icy )as9 Force8 Gonathan .i''iams8 promotin* A1ECBs <,ich !tates8 +oor !tates= report" )he same A1EC report and its methodo'o*y of ran9in* states &as critici:ed by 3ood Gobs First and the 0o&a +o'icy +roject8 &hich ar*ued that A1ECBs report &as <a recipe for economic ine>ua'ity8 &a*e suppression8 and sta*nant incomes"=10E *ealt& and *uman 5er#i es 4as3 +or e6 0n Ganuary 20118 the M%+C hosted an event in +ort'and10/ a*ainst the Affordab'e Care Act8 &hich featured the director of A1ECBs %ea'th and %uman !ervices )as9 Force8 Christine %errera8 as the *uest spea9er" $du ation 4as3 +or e6 )he M%+CBs !tephen 7o&en8 head of education initiatives8 &as 'isted in A1EC interna' documents10; as attendin* A1ECBs Au*ust 2010 Education )as9 Force meetin* in !an Die*o8 representin* M%+C" )he Portland Press Herald reported104 that 7o&en &as an A1EC member in 20118 and &as 'ater appointed MaineBs education commissioner" Not surprisin*'y8 most of M%+CBs a*enda is shared &ith A1ECBs ri*ht-&in* a*enda and po'icy proposa's on a &ide variety of issues8 inc'udin* education8 &or9ersB ri*hts8 hea'thcare8 ta5es8 votin* ri*hts8 and c'ean ener*y"
21
Issue
6aine *erita"e 0oli 2 'enter (6*0') +rivati:in* pub'ic education is one of M%+CBs 9ey a*enda items" 2ver the years8 the thin9 tan9 has re'eased numerous reports on its &ebsite and ri*ht-&in* media out'et8 the Maine .ire8 supportin* privati:in* MaineBs pub'ic schoo's throu*h schoo' voucher and charter schoo' e5pansion" M%+C has a'so 'aunched a &ebsite dedicated entire'y to promotin* its education privati:ation a*enda8 deceptive'y ca''ed <3reat !choo's for Maine"= M%+C joined Americans for +rosperity in Gune 2011 and the %erita*e Foundation in Gu'y 2012 to cohost events promotin* education privati:ation in Maine" 2n its &ebsite promotin* education privati:ation and in a March 201 report8 M%+C ca''s for the e5pansion of virtua' schoo's and on'ine 'earnin*"
Education privati:ation is a'so a 9ey component in A1ECBs e5treme a*enda" A1ECBs schoo' voucher <mode'= bi''s inc'ude the <Education Enterprise Qone Act= and <)he +arent Choice !cho'arship +ro*ram Act"= A1ECBs charter schoo' mode's inc'ude the <Charter !choo's Act= and the <Ne5t 3eneration Charter !choo's Act"=
A1ECBs <Kirtua' +ub'ic !choo's Act= re>uires virtua' or on'ine schoo's to be reco*ni:ed as pub'ic schoo's and provided the same treatment and resources as any bric9-and-mortar pub'ic schoo' in the state" A1ECBs <!tate .ithdra&a' from ,e*iona' C'imate 0nitiatives= &ou'd a''o& states to pu'' out of the ,e*iona' 3reenhouse 3as 0mitative or the .estern C'imate 0nitiative8 cap-and-trade pro*rams to cut *reenhouse *ases and carbon-dio5ide emissions8 and uses 'an*ua*e that denies c'imate chan*e" A1ECBs <E'ectricity Freedom Act= repea's rene&ab'e ener*y mandates and is an attac9 on states p'annin* to re>uire companies to *et a certain percenta*e of their e'ectricity from rene&ab'e sources"
0n !eptember 20128 M%+C re'eased a report attac9in* MaineBs ,ene&ab'e +ortfo'io !tandard8 ca''in* the 'e*is'ation a <mista9e"=
22
Issue
Ameri an !e"islati#e $% &an"e 'oun il (A!$') A1EC has issued severa' <mode'= bi''s a*ainst the 2010 Affordab'e Care Act8 inc'udin* the <Freedom of Choice in %ea'th Care Act= and the <,eso'ution 2pposin* Emp'oyer-+aid %ea'th Care Mandates"= A1ECBs <3uide to ,epea' 2bamacare= is a *uide for state 'e*is'ators to repea' the Affordab'e Care Act8 and ur*es them to reject Medicaid e5pansion and federa' *rants for Medicaid"
M%+C has re'eased numerous reports and he'd severa' events @some featurin* representatives of the Cato 0nstitute and A1ECA a*ainst the Affordab'e Care Act and Medicaid e5pansion"
0n Ganuary 20128 M%+C re'eased a report c'aimin* that Maine &or9ers &ere 'eavin* the state and movin* to states &ith anti-union so-ca''ed <ri*ht to &or9= 'a&s" )he report a'so ca''s for Maine to become a <ri*ht to &or9= state"
A1ECBs <,i*ht to .or9 Act= is an attac9 on &or9in* fami'ies across the state8 as this bi'' ta9es a&ay &or9ersB abi'ity to ne*otiate fair contracts"
0n a February 2011 report8 M%+C ca''s for Maine to s&itch from a defined-benefit pension system to a defined contribution system"
A1ECBs <+ub'ic Emp'oyeesB +ortab'e ,etirement 2ption @+,2A Act= is a move to&ards e'iminatin* defined benefit pension p'ans for pub'ic emp'oyees - p'ans that protect retirees"
7et&een !eptember and 2ctober 20048 M%+C re'eased at 'east three reports supportin* a )a5payer 7i'' of ,i*hts @)A72,A in Maine6 < 00 Mi''ion ,easons .hy the )a5payer 7i'' of ,i*hts %e'ps MaineBs 7e'ea*uered )a5payers8= <)a5payer 7i'' of ,i*hts Needed No& More than Ever8= and <!ettin* the ,ecord !trai*ht on Co'oradoBs )a5payer 7i'' of ,i*hts"=
A1ECBs <Federa' )A72, ,eso'ution= ca''s to 'imit *overnment spendin* and &ou'd re>uire a <supermajority vote of both houses of Con*ress= to override the spendin* 'imit"
0n !eptember 20118 M%+C re'eased a po'' that sho&ed support for endin* same-day voter re*istration and re>uirin* each voter to sho& an 0D in order to vote" )he po'' &as conducted by +u'se 2pinion ,esearch8 a spinoff of ,asmussen ,eports8 &hich has been critici:ed for po'' resu'ts that favor ,epub'icans"
A1ECBs <Koter 0D Act= ma9es it more difficu't for American citi:ens to vote" 0t &ou'd chan*e 0D ru'es so that citi:ens &ho have been re*istered to vote for decades must sho& certain 9inds of 0D in order to vote" )his bi'' disenfranchises many 'o&-income8 minority8 and e'der'y Americans8 as &e'' as co''e*e students8 &ho do not have driverBs 'icenses but have typica''y used other forms of 0D"
*otes
Center for Media and Democracy, PRWatch, A Reporters' Guide to the "State Policy et!or"" ## the Ri$ht#Win$ %hin" %an"s Spinnin$ Disinformation and Pushin$ the A&'C A$enda in the States,( April ), *+,1 2
Associated Press, %hin" tan" dra!s praise and pans,( 3uly ,,, *++4
$ ( E /
Maine 5erita$e Policy Center, A1out 6s,( or$ani7ational !e1site, accessed 0cto1er *2, *+,Maine 5erita$e Policy Center, 'i$ht Challen$es for Diri$o 5ealth in *++8,( 3anuary -+, *++8
9an$or Daily
;9an$or 4
Daily
Portland Press 5erald, Dutson to 1ecome Summers' Senate campai$n mana$er,( 3uly -,, *+,*
Maine 5erita$e Policy Center= C'0 B Chief 'conomist 3. Scott Moody> accessed ,+?A?*+,-
10 11
Portland Press 5erald, Acti;ists plannin$ taC cap follo!#up> Mary Adams plans to collect si$natures to put a state and local spendin$ cap on the *++4 1allot,( Septem1er ,+, *++)
Maine Center for 'conomic Policy, Position Statement= Re;enue Collapse Creates 9ud$et Gap,( 3anuary ,+, *+,12 1 1$
Sun 3ournal, %A90R is not the ans!er for Maine,( 0cto1er 2, *++2
Maine Commission on Go;ernmental 'thics B 'lection Practices, Contri1utions for Maine 5erita$e Policy Center,( /inancial Summary for *++2 on Duestion )= %aCpayer 9ill of Ri$hts E%A90R ::F, Decem1er -,, *++2, accessed 0cto1er *2, *+,-
%ampa 9ay %imes, When to1acco needed a ;oice, CAGW spo"e up and profited,( April *, *++8 %he Washin$ton Post, Report Says
onprofits Sold :nfluence to A1ramoff,( ,+?,-?*++8
Citi7ens A$ainst Go;ernment Waste, Groups Release Maine Pi$let 9oo",( March **, *++<
%he :nstitute for Policy :nno;ation, Coalition &etter 6r$in$ /idelity to %aCpayer Protection Pled$e,( Decem1er 4, *+,*
20
Maine 5erita$e Policy Center, %he Case A$ainst 01amacare,( 3anuary ,+, *+,,
2$
*otes
Portland Press 5erald, Special Report= %he profit moti;e 1ehind ;irtual schools in Maine,( Septem1er *, *+,*
21 22 2 2$ 2(
%he Mornin$ Sentinel, 9aCter school critici7ed for luncheon !ith political $roup,( 3uly -+, *+,Portland Press 5erald, &ePa$e 'offended' 1y charter school criticisms,( Au$ust ,, *+,-
%he Maine Wire= &a!ma"ers De1ate 9ill to Protect State Wor"ersG Paychec"s /rom 6nion Wa$e Garnishment> accessed ,+?2?*+,%he Maine Wire= Ri$ht#to#Wor" 9ill Gets 5arsh 5earin$ Despite 'conomic 9enefits> accessed ,+?2?*+,2E
Maine 5erita$e Policy Center, %he Case for Ri$ht#to#Wor" in Maine= 'Caminin$ the ';idence in 0"lahoma, 3anuary *-, *+,*.
2/
Center for Media and Democracy. SourceWatch= /ran"lin Center for Go;ernment and Pu1lic :nte$rity> accessed ,+?2?*+,2;
%he Maine Wire= Maine residents do not support taCpayer#funded political campai$ns, statistics sho!> accessed ,+?2?*+,24 0 1 2
%he Maine Wire= Clean( politicians pander for dirty money> accessed ,+?2?*+,%he Maine Wire=
ational 'mployee /reedom Wee" 6nder!ay> accessed ,+?2?*+,-
%he Maine Wire= 9i$ &a1or Democrats Defeat Ri$ht#to#Wor"> accessed ,+?2?*+,%he Maine Wire= Maine Democrats reaffirm StateGs role as unionGs collections a$ent> accessed ,+?2?*+,$
%he Maine Wire= &a!ma"ers De1ate 9ill to Protect State Wor"ersG Paychec"s /rom 6nion Wa$e Garnishment> accessed ,+?2?*+,(
%he Maine Wire= Ri$ht#to#Wor" 9ill Gets 5arsh 5earin$ Despite 'conomic 9enefits> accessed ,+?2?*+,E
,*8th Maine &e$islature, &D ,4*2?SP 4<8= An Act %o 'Cpand School Choice for Maine Students> accessed online ,+?*?*+,/
%he Maine Wire= &ePa$e 1lasts Alfond on unconsciona1le( attac" on pu1lic school> accessed ,+?2?*+,;
2(
*otes
%he Maine Wire= Charter school enemy Alfond addresses MaineGs first charter school $rads> accessed ,+?2?*+,4
%he Maine Wire= Go;. &ePa$e char$es for!ard !ith teacher accounta1ility and school choice 1ills> accessed ,+?2?*+,$0
%he Maine Wire= M.D. 5armon= &ePa$eGs education reforms a !in for Maine students> accessed ,+?2?*+,$1
%he Maine Wire= /eds release first round of MaineGs 01amacare na;i$ators(> accessed ,+?2?*+,$2
%he Maine Wire= %!o years of Medicaid eCpansion !ould cost Mainers H)+ million> accessed ,+?2?*+,$ $$ $(
%he Maine Wire= States opt out of 01amacareGs :nsurance 'Cchan$es to a;oid eCor1itant costs, complicated re$ulations> accessed ,+?2?*+,$E $/
%he Maine Wire= Allum1au$h= Medicaid needs reform, not eCpansion> accessed ,+?2?*+,-
/ace1oo"= Maine 5erita$e Policy Center> photo al1um= 6nder the Dome Acti;ist %rainin$ I !ith A/P Maine> accessed ,+?<?*+,,*4th Maine &e$islature, &D ,,4-?SP -4-= An Act Related to Authori7ation of GARJ'' 9onds> accessed online ,+?*?*+,$;
,*4th Maine &e$islature, &D ,*)A?SP -82= An Act %o ReKuire Appro;al 1y the Joters of &e$islation %o 'nact or :ncrease a %aC or /ee> accessed online ,+?*?*+,$4
,*4th Maine &e$islature, &D 842?SP )A2= An Act %o Repeal the Maine Clean 'lection &a!s> accessed online ,+?*?*+,(0
,*8th Maine &e$islature, &D ,4*2?SP 4<8= An Act %o 'Cpand School Choice for Maine Students> accessed online ,+?*?*+,(1
Maine Commission on Go;ernmental 'thics B 'lection Practices, Candidate Summary= Michael %hi1odeau> accessed ,+?2?*+,(2
Maine Commission on Go;ernmental 'thics and 'lection Practices= Maine 5erita$e Policy Center> &o11yist Disclosure Report for May *+,-, accessed ,+?2?*+,(
,*8th Maine &e$islature, &D 8A+?5P )<*= An Act %o ullify the /ederal Patient Protection and Afforda1le Care Act of *+,+> accessed online ,+?*?*+,($
2E
*otes
(( (E
Maine Pu1lic 9roadcastin$ et!or", Maine &a!ma"er's %aCpayer#/unded %rip to Conser;ati;e Conference Comes 6nder Scrutiny,( Septem1er ,2, *+,,
Maine Commission on Go;ernmental 'thics B 'lection Practices, Maine 5erita$e Policy Center?%arren 9ra$don 3oint &o11yist?Client Annual Report for *+,,> accessed ,+?2?*+,(/
/inance Report, *+,,, accessed ,+?2?*+,-> Maine Commission on Go;ernmental 'thics B 'lection Practices, Respect Maine Campai$n /inance Report, *+,*, accessed ,+?2?*+,-> Maine Commission on Go;ernmental 'thics B 'lection Practices, Respect Maine Campai$n /inance Report, *+,*, accessed ,+?2?*+,-. Maine Commission on Go;ernmental 'thics B 'lection Practices, Respect Maine Campai$n /inance Report, *+,,, accessed ,+?2?*+,-> Diri$o9lue, Maine's MaLority As"s= Did Andre Cushin$ Dou1le Dip@( accessed ,+?2?*+,-.
(4
,*8th Maine &e$islature, &D ,8*?5P ,-<= An Act %o Repeal the Maine Certificate of *++*> accessed online ,+?*?*+,E0 E1 E2
eed Act of
Maine Commission on Go;ernmental 'thics B 'lection Practices, Maine 5erita$e Policy Center?%arren 9ra$don 3oint &o11yist?Client Annual Report for *+,,> accessed ,+?2?*+,E E$
%he Maine Wire= /redette= 9uildin$ a 1etter Maine !ill reKuire chan$e of direction, attitude> accessed ,+?2?*+,,*8th Maine &e$islature, &D <A8?5P 4-<= An Act %o 'nsure the Joluntary Mem1ership of Pu1lic 'mployees in 6nions> accessed online ,+?*?*+,E(
%he Maine Wire= Maine Democrats reaffirm StateGs role as unionGs collections a$ent> accessed ,+?2?*+,EE
Portland Press 5erald, Maine Joices= Maine's unhealthy Democratic#union alliance th!arts economic $ro!th,( Au$ust ,4, *+,E/
Portland Press 5erald, Special Report= %he profit moti;e 1ehind ;irtual schools in Maine,( 3uly -, *+,E;
,*4th Maine &e$islature, &D ,,4-= An Act Related to Authori7ation of GARJ'' 9onds> accessed online ,+?*?*+,E4
2/
*otes
,*4th Maine &e$islature, &D 842= An Act %o Repeal the Maine Clean 'lection &a!s> accessed online ,+?*?*+,/0
,*)th Maine &e$islature, &D ,)-A= An Act %o Permit Charter Schools in Maine> accessed online ,+?*?*+,/1 /2 / /$ /(
%he Mornin$ Sentinel, /undraisin$ emails spar" de1ate,( May *A, *+,, Portland Press 5erald, Group says emails document '!itch hunt' tar$etin$ MS5A,( May *8, *+,*
Sun 3ournal, Playin$ to !in= Conser;ati;e thin" tan" Maine 5erita$e Policy Center ran"les left !ith acti;ism, anonymous donors,( Septem1er ), *+,+
/EMother // /; /4 ;0 ;1 ;2 ; ;$
3ones, 'Cposed= %he Dar"#Money A%M of the Conser;ati;e Mo;ement,( /e1ruary 4, *+,-
:nstitute for 5umane Studies= Charles G. Moch Summer /ello! Pro$ram> accessed ,+?2?*+,Center for Media and Democracy, SourceWatch= SP Center for Media and Democracy, SourceWatch= SP Center for Media and Democracy, SourceWatch= SP Mem1ers, accessed ,+?*2?,%ies to A&'C, accessed ,+?*2?,/undin$, accessed ,+?*2?,-
American 9rid$e Conser;ati;e %ransparency= Maine 5erita$e Policy Center> accessed ,+?2?*+,Center for Media and Democracy8 SourceWatch6 <Maine %erita*e +o'icy Center8= accessed 2ctober 248 201
Portland Press 5erald, 'thics commission's rulin$ appealed,( 3anuary *+, *++<
%he /orecaster, Playin$ to !in= Conser;ati;e thin" tan" ran"les left !ith acti;ism, anonymous donors,( Septem1er <, *+,+
;( ;E
Sun 3ournal, 'thics commission o;erdue for top#do!n re;ie!,( Au$ust ,*, *++<
Maine &e$islature= %itle ,, Chapter *4, Su1chapter ,= Commission on Go;ernmental 'thics and 'lection Practices Maine Commission on Go;ernmental 'thics and 'lection Practices, *++2 Re$istration of Political Committees= Maine 5erita$e Policy Center
;/
Maine Commission on Go;ernmental 'thics and 'lection Practices= Contri1utions for Maine 5erita$e Policy Center, accessed ,+?2?*+,;;
Maine Commission on Go;ernmental 'thics and 'lection Practices= Contri1utions for %he Maine 5erita$e Policy Center, accessed ,+?2?*+,;4
2;
*otes
Maine Commission on Go;ernmental 'thics and 'lection Practices= *+,, Campai$n /inance Report, Maine Repu1lican Party
40
Maine Commission on Go;ernmental 'thics and 'lection Practices= *++< Campai$n /inance Report, Maine Repu1lican Party
41
Maine Commission on Go;ernmental 'thics and 'lection Practices= *+,+ Campai$n /inance Report, Maine Repu1lican Party
42 4 4$ 4(
Maine Commission on Go;ernment 'thics and 'lection Practices Common Cause= A&'C I 'Chi1it ), %as" /orces> 'ducation %as" /orce internal memorandum
Portland Press 5erald, Special Report= %he profit moti;e 1ehind ;irtual schools in Maine,( 3uly -, *+,Maine 5erita$e Policy Center, Maine /amilies Could See 5i$her %aCes, More 3o1 &osses,( Septem1er *<, *+,+
4E
%arren 9ra$don, 3oel Allum1au$h. %he 5erita$e /oundation, 9ac"$rounder= 5ealth Care Reform in Maine= Re;ersin$ 01amacare &ite,( 3uly ,2, *+,,
4/ 4; 44
Citi7ens A$ainst Go;ernment Waste, Groups Release Maine Pi$let 9oo",( March **, *++< Maine 5erita$e Policy, Rally %o Support the Go;ernorGs 9ud$et,( March ,<, *+,, /ran"lin Center for Go;ernment and Pu1lic :nte$rity, accessed ,+?2?*+,Maine 5erita$e Policy Center= Meet 0ur Staff> accessed ,+?2?*+,-
/reedom Wor"s= )8 ational 0r$ani7ations to Con$ress= "Stop 01ama's :lle$al :RS 5ealth Care Po!er Gra1," Septem1er ,2, *+,*
%he Maine Wire= Rich States, Poor States= 5i$h taCes hinder MaineGs economic outloo", performance> accessed ,+?2?*+,10
Maine 5erita$e Policy Center= 9an$or ';ent I Rich States, Poor States= Mo;in$ Maine from Ra$s to Riches,( /e1ruary *8, *+,,
10$
Maine 5erita$e Policy Center= Portland ';ent I Rich States, Poor States= Mo;in$ Maine from Ra$s to Riches,( /e1ruary *8, *+,,
10(
Sellin$ Sna"e 0il to the State= %he American &e$islati;e 'Cchan$e CouncilGs /la!ed Prescriptions for Prosperity,( Loint report 1y Good 3o1s /irst and the :o!a Policy ProLect> o;em1er *+,*
10E 10/
Maine 5erita$e Policy Center, Portland ';ent I 01amaCare= 5o! Maine Can /i$ht 9ac",(
24
*otes
Decem1er *-, *+,+
10; 104
Common Cause= A&'C I 'Chi1it ), %as" /orces> 'ducation %as" /orce internal memorandum
Portland Press 5erald, Special Report= %he profit moti;e 1ehind ;irtual schools in Maine,( 3uly -, *+,-