Below please find the fifth episode of the "Pushing Forward" podcast.
In Episode 5 I am joined by Jay Hardy, a consultant with over 30 years experience in state government, to discuss Maine's long-term care system.
To learn more about current efforts underway to improve Maine's long-term supportive services system, visit:
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/reports/ltc-services-adults.shtml
Monday, November 30, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Pushing Forward Podcast Episode 4
Below please find the fourth episode of the "Pushing Forward" podcast.
In Episode 4 we sit down with Representative Ed Mazurek, House Chair of the Transportation Committee, to discuss the recent transportation bond passed by voters on November 3rd, 2009.
In Episode 4 we sit down with Representative Ed Mazurek, House Chair of the Transportation Committee, to discuss the recent transportation bond passed by voters on November 3rd, 2009.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Pushing Forward Podcast Episode 3
Below please find the third episode of the "Pushing Forward" podcast.
In Episode 3 we sit down with House Majority Leader, Representative John Piotti, to discuss tax reform.
In Episode 3 we sit down with House Majority Leader, Representative John Piotti, to discuss tax reform.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Juice Conference Remarks
Midcoast Magnet is a networking organization that seeks to attract, connect and retain talented people in Maine and the midcoast. In November, Midcoast Magnet presented the Juice 2.0 conference, "Building Maine's Innovation Networks." The conference was organized through collaborative efforts and funding from organizations as diverse as the Maine Arts Commission, the Department of Economic and Community Development, and the Realize! Maine program of the Maine Development Foundation. To learn more about Midcoast Magnet visit:
www.midcoastmagnet.com
On November 14th, 2009, I was invited to the Juice 2.0 conference to speak as part of the "Get Involved, Get Elected" panel with Speaker of the Maine House, Hannah Pingree, and State Senator Seth Goodall. Below are my remarks from the event:
JUICE CONFERENCE TALK
I’m honored to be on this platform with such an exciting group of people, including one of the folks that really inspired me to run for office -- Speaker of the House Hannah Pingree.
It’s easy for folks to be cynical about politics, politicians and the political process. That cynicism is nothing new and it is not relegated to one political party or one end of the political spectrum -- right or left. If you look at the political blogs - national and state, left and right -- what they all seem to have in common is cynicism. Just to prove that the cynicism is nothing new -- here’s one of my favorite quotes from Harry Truman -- delivered in an interview on his front porch in Independence Missouri after he retired from the White House: "My choice early in life was either to be a piano player in a whorehouse or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference. I, for one, believe the piano player job to be much more honorable than current politicians.”
I never learned to play the piano, so my career choices were even more limited than President Truman. I did however, have the chance to work as an advocate in the Maine State Legislature for several years on behalf of people with a disability as well as for direct care workers who provide home and community based services to seniors and people with a disability. I was passionate about that -- because it was all about my life and my experience. When I first went to Augusta, I expected to find out that Harry Truman was right -- but I had just the opposite experience.
What I found in Augusta was not what people like to characterize as the “no good politicians,” nor did I find the legislative process like the proverbial “sausage making.” Instead, what I found were people who were committed to serving their fellow citizens and brought their experience, their interest and their passions to that discussion. I found people hungry for the best ideas, the best ways to serve others, the best ways to invest our limited and hard-earned tax dollars to produce the most possible benefit.
I was ready to be skeptical, and I came away a true believer -- filled with admiration and respect for people like Hannah -- who were giving up big chunks of their life and times, putting other career and personal choices on the back burner to serve their fellow Maine citizens. I saw people like Hannah working hard -- and I knew she was smart enough and talented enough to write her own ticket and do just about anything she wanted to do -- but she wanted to serve in a citizen legislature -- far from a full time job, but enough work to keep you from pursuing any other career very successfully.
I got inspired by those citizen legislators, and especially the younger members who were trying to make a difference. The Maine Legislature is diverse -- people of all ages and backgrounds -- and that is what makes it work.
I was there to advocate on some specific issues, but I couldn’t get enough. I sat in Committee meetings and the Appropriations Committee for hour after hour -- and I couldn’t get enough. I expected I would glaze over, but my experience was just the opposite. I was fascinated to talk with lobbyists and people who had been around the state house for years. I was interested in the personalities and the institution and the interactions of the two that resulted in compromises -- and good legislation. I was hooked. I was interested in just about everything that went on under the golden dome.
I got to be good friends with the Legislator who was serving my hometown of Rumford, and when he was term-limited and could not run for re-election, he asked if I would be interested in running for the seat. It was a tough decision -- took me about one day to make up my mind. I knew it would be hard. To get elected in Maine -- the politics is all retail and that means knocking on every door of the district -- meeting as many voters as possible, listening, and getting out the message. Knocking on doors in Rumford Maine is pretty tough when you are in a wheelchair -- it added to the challenge. But it gave me a great opportunity to organize friends and supporters to help me in that task. I built a network -- and that network got me elected -- I couldn’t have done it any other way. I like Bean Suppers -- but how many can you attend?
Since I’ve come to the Legislature, I’ve continued to work on building that network. Not because I want to use those relationships to move ahead -- but because those relationships are how I learn -- about issues, about what Maine people need and want, and about how to use government effectively to solve problems. It’s all about relationships.
Being in the Legislature, I’ve had a chance to work on many key issues -- long term care and home based services for seniors and people with a disability has been a passion -- but that’s something I really know about -- you can say “I’m experienced” and I want to share those experiences with my peers so we can make improvements for all Maine citizens. I am also a big fan of Mixed Martial Arts, so I’ve been able to work with others to create a framework that will regulate that sport and bring it to Maine. This session, I’ll be working on issues of internet availability and pricing, as well as joining colleagues in the search for ways to make our budget more sustainable while ensuring that we don’t damage the vital safety net. I’ve found myself increasingly in the middle of the discussion of wind energy -- since there is one project approved for my district and another on the drawing board. I guarantee you -- people have opinions about those projects -- and it’s not just one opinion.
I could keep on going -- but I’ll stop there. Let me just say -- If you have passion for working with others, if you have a passion for serving other people, if you like long hours and low pay -- and if you think you’d enjoy getting nasty voice messages and e-mails for your hard work -- running for the Legislature is for you. It has been one of the greatest experiences of my life -- almost as exciting and interesting as breaking your neck, but way more fun. If a guy like me, who is trying to start a career, wanting to get married, buy a house, start a family, and do all those “normal” things can run for office and be elected in Rumford Maine -- nothing should be holding any of you back. With great role models like Madame Speaker -- what are you waiting for?
www.midcoastmagnet.com
On November 14th, 2009, I was invited to the Juice 2.0 conference to speak as part of the "Get Involved, Get Elected" panel with Speaker of the Maine House, Hannah Pingree, and State Senator Seth Goodall. Below are my remarks from the event:
JUICE CONFERENCE TALK
I’m honored to be on this platform with such an exciting group of people, including one of the folks that really inspired me to run for office -- Speaker of the House Hannah Pingree.
It’s easy for folks to be cynical about politics, politicians and the political process. That cynicism is nothing new and it is not relegated to one political party or one end of the political spectrum -- right or left. If you look at the political blogs - national and state, left and right -- what they all seem to have in common is cynicism. Just to prove that the cynicism is nothing new -- here’s one of my favorite quotes from Harry Truman -- delivered in an interview on his front porch in Independence Missouri after he retired from the White House: "My choice early in life was either to be a piano player in a whorehouse or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference. I, for one, believe the piano player job to be much more honorable than current politicians.”
I never learned to play the piano, so my career choices were even more limited than President Truman. I did however, have the chance to work as an advocate in the Maine State Legislature for several years on behalf of people with a disability as well as for direct care workers who provide home and community based services to seniors and people with a disability. I was passionate about that -- because it was all about my life and my experience. When I first went to Augusta, I expected to find out that Harry Truman was right -- but I had just the opposite experience.
What I found in Augusta was not what people like to characterize as the “no good politicians,” nor did I find the legislative process like the proverbial “sausage making.” Instead, what I found were people who were committed to serving their fellow citizens and brought their experience, their interest and their passions to that discussion. I found people hungry for the best ideas, the best ways to serve others, the best ways to invest our limited and hard-earned tax dollars to produce the most possible benefit.
I was ready to be skeptical, and I came away a true believer -- filled with admiration and respect for people like Hannah -- who were giving up big chunks of their life and times, putting other career and personal choices on the back burner to serve their fellow Maine citizens. I saw people like Hannah working hard -- and I knew she was smart enough and talented enough to write her own ticket and do just about anything she wanted to do -- but she wanted to serve in a citizen legislature -- far from a full time job, but enough work to keep you from pursuing any other career very successfully.
I got inspired by those citizen legislators, and especially the younger members who were trying to make a difference. The Maine Legislature is diverse -- people of all ages and backgrounds -- and that is what makes it work.
I was there to advocate on some specific issues, but I couldn’t get enough. I sat in Committee meetings and the Appropriations Committee for hour after hour -- and I couldn’t get enough. I expected I would glaze over, but my experience was just the opposite. I was fascinated to talk with lobbyists and people who had been around the state house for years. I was interested in the personalities and the institution and the interactions of the two that resulted in compromises -- and good legislation. I was hooked. I was interested in just about everything that went on under the golden dome.
I got to be good friends with the Legislator who was serving my hometown of Rumford, and when he was term-limited and could not run for re-election, he asked if I would be interested in running for the seat. It was a tough decision -- took me about one day to make up my mind. I knew it would be hard. To get elected in Maine -- the politics is all retail and that means knocking on every door of the district -- meeting as many voters as possible, listening, and getting out the message. Knocking on doors in Rumford Maine is pretty tough when you are in a wheelchair -- it added to the challenge. But it gave me a great opportunity to organize friends and supporters to help me in that task. I built a network -- and that network got me elected -- I couldn’t have done it any other way. I like Bean Suppers -- but how many can you attend?
Since I’ve come to the Legislature, I’ve continued to work on building that network. Not because I want to use those relationships to move ahead -- but because those relationships are how I learn -- about issues, about what Maine people need and want, and about how to use government effectively to solve problems. It’s all about relationships.
Being in the Legislature, I’ve had a chance to work on many key issues -- long term care and home based services for seniors and people with a disability has been a passion -- but that’s something I really know about -- you can say “I’m experienced” and I want to share those experiences with my peers so we can make improvements for all Maine citizens. I am also a big fan of Mixed Martial Arts, so I’ve been able to work with others to create a framework that will regulate that sport and bring it to Maine. This session, I’ll be working on issues of internet availability and pricing, as well as joining colleagues in the search for ways to make our budget more sustainable while ensuring that we don’t damage the vital safety net. I’ve found myself increasingly in the middle of the discussion of wind energy -- since there is one project approved for my district and another on the drawing board. I guarantee you -- people have opinions about those projects -- and it’s not just one opinion.
I could keep on going -- but I’ll stop there. Let me just say -- If you have passion for working with others, if you have a passion for serving other people, if you like long hours and low pay -- and if you think you’d enjoy getting nasty voice messages and e-mails for your hard work -- running for the Legislature is for you. It has been one of the greatest experiences of my life -- almost as exciting and interesting as breaking your neck, but way more fun. If a guy like me, who is trying to start a career, wanting to get married, buy a house, start a family, and do all those “normal” things can run for office and be elected in Rumford Maine -- nothing should be holding any of you back. With great role models like Madame Speaker -- what are you waiting for?
Friday, November 13, 2009
Remarks from Maine Youth Anti-Tobacco Summit
The Maine Youth Action Network (MYAN) is a statewide Network of support for youth and adults who are striving to effect positive change on a wide variety of issues. MYAN is a partnership of youth and adult staff working with youth groups, adults who support those groups and organizations interested in involving youth to assist them all in making a difference through youth and adult partnership. To learn more about MYAN visit:
www.myan.org.
On November 11th, 2009, I was invited by MYAN to be a panelist at their 6th Annual Maine Youth Anti-Tobacco Summit. Below are my remarks from the event.
MYAN CONFERENCE TALK
I’m honored to be invited to speak to such an exciting group of people, interested in advocating and promoting change. I’m a Legislator now -- and I interact with lots of advocates. I used to be an advocate before I got elected -- and I started pretty young, although not as young as you, and learned as I went. I want to share a few ideas and lessons I’ve learned with you. I hope it helps.
First, it’s easy for folks to be cynical about politics, politicians and the political process. That cynicism is nothing new and it is not relegated to one political party or one end of the political spectrum -- right or left. If you look at the political blogs - national and state, left and right -- what they all seem to have in common is cynicism. Just to prove that the cynicism is nothing new -- here’s one of my favorite quotes from Harry Truman -- delivered in an interview on his front porch in Independence Missouri after he retired from the White House: "My choice early in life was either to be a piano player in a whorehouse or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference. I, for one, believe the piano player job to be much more honorable than current politicians.”
I never learned to play the piano, so my career choices were even more limited than President Truman. I did however, have the chance to work as an advocate in the Maine State Legislature for several years on behalf of people with a disability as well as for direct care workers who provide home and community based services to seniors and people with a disability. I was passionate about that -- because it was all about my life and my experience. When I first went to Augusta, I expected to find out that Harry Truman was right -- but I had just the opposite experience.
What I found in Augusta was not what people like to characterize as the “no good politicians,” nor did I find the legislative process like the proverbial “sausage making.” Instead, what I found were people who were committed to serving their fellow citizens and brought their experience, their interest and their passions to that discussion. I found people hungry for the best ideas, the best ways to serve others, the best ways to invest our limited and hard-earned tax dollars to produce the most possible benefit.
I was ready to be skeptical, and I came away a true believer -- filled with admiration and respect for people who were giving up big chunks of their life and times, putting other career and personal choices on the back burner to serve their fellow Maine citizens. I saw people smart enough and talented enough to write their own ticket and do just about anything -- but they wanted to serve in a citizen legislature -- far from a full time job, but enough work to keep you from pursuing any other career very successfully.
I got inspired by those citizen legislators, and especially the younger members who were trying to make a difference. So that is Lesson Number One if you want to be a good advocate -- GET INSPIRED, BELIEVE, HAVE PASSION, FORGET CYNICISM.
Lesson Number Two -- KNOW YOUR FACTS, DEVELOP YOUR MESSAGE. As a Legislator I don’t have lots of time. I want to listen, but I want you to inform me. Don’t waste your time, or anyone else’s. If you believe in what you are doing -- speak your truth with conviction. I won’t bite and neither will anyone else in the Legislature. You are all voters -- or you will be -- and you certainly know and influence people who are voters -- parents, grandparents, teachers, etc. We want to learn from you -- but you have to be ready to teach us. Do your homework.
Speaking of doing your homework, Lesson Number Three -- LEARN ABOUT THE PROCESS AND THE INSTITUTION. Even though I was there to advocate on some specific issues, I couldn’t get enough. I sat in Committee meetings and the Appropriations Committee for hour after hour -- and I couldn’t get enough. I expected I would glaze over, but my experience was just the opposite. I was fascinated to talk with lobbyists and people who had been around the state house for years. I was interested in the personalities and the institution and the interactions of the two that resulted in compromises -- and good legislation. I was hooked. I was interested in just about everything that went on under the golden dome.
As a result, I got to be good friends with the Legislator who was serving my hometown of Rumford, and when he was term-limited and could not run for re-election, he asked if I would be interested in running for the seat. It was a tough decision -- took me about one day to make up my mind. I knew it would be hard. To get elected in Maine -- the politics is all retail and that means knocking on every door of the district -- meeting as many voters as possible, listening, and getting out the message. Knocking on doors in Rumford Maine is pretty tough when you are in a wheelchair -- it added to the challenge. But it gave me a great opportunity to organize friends and supporters to help me in that task. I built a network -- and that network got me elected -- I couldn’t have done it any other way.
Since I’ve come to the Legislature, I’ve continued to work on building that network. Not because I want to use those relationships to move ahead -- but because those relationships are how I learn -- about issues, about what Maine people need and want, and about how to use government effectively to solve problems. It’s all about relationships. So that’s the Final Lesson -- THE ADVOCACY NEVER STOPS.
I could keep on going -- but I’ll stop there. Let me just say -- If you have passion for working with others, if you have a passion for serving other people, advocacy is for you. What are you waiting for?
www.myan.org.
On November 11th, 2009, I was invited by MYAN to be a panelist at their 6th Annual Maine Youth Anti-Tobacco Summit. Below are my remarks from the event.
MYAN CONFERENCE TALK
I’m honored to be invited to speak to such an exciting group of people, interested in advocating and promoting change. I’m a Legislator now -- and I interact with lots of advocates. I used to be an advocate before I got elected -- and I started pretty young, although not as young as you, and learned as I went. I want to share a few ideas and lessons I’ve learned with you. I hope it helps.
First, it’s easy for folks to be cynical about politics, politicians and the political process. That cynicism is nothing new and it is not relegated to one political party or one end of the political spectrum -- right or left. If you look at the political blogs - national and state, left and right -- what they all seem to have in common is cynicism. Just to prove that the cynicism is nothing new -- here’s one of my favorite quotes from Harry Truman -- delivered in an interview on his front porch in Independence Missouri after he retired from the White House: "My choice early in life was either to be a piano player in a whorehouse or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference. I, for one, believe the piano player job to be much more honorable than current politicians.”
I never learned to play the piano, so my career choices were even more limited than President Truman. I did however, have the chance to work as an advocate in the Maine State Legislature for several years on behalf of people with a disability as well as for direct care workers who provide home and community based services to seniors and people with a disability. I was passionate about that -- because it was all about my life and my experience. When I first went to Augusta, I expected to find out that Harry Truman was right -- but I had just the opposite experience.
What I found in Augusta was not what people like to characterize as the “no good politicians,” nor did I find the legislative process like the proverbial “sausage making.” Instead, what I found were people who were committed to serving their fellow citizens and brought their experience, their interest and their passions to that discussion. I found people hungry for the best ideas, the best ways to serve others, the best ways to invest our limited and hard-earned tax dollars to produce the most possible benefit.
I was ready to be skeptical, and I came away a true believer -- filled with admiration and respect for people who were giving up big chunks of their life and times, putting other career and personal choices on the back burner to serve their fellow Maine citizens. I saw people smart enough and talented enough to write their own ticket and do just about anything -- but they wanted to serve in a citizen legislature -- far from a full time job, but enough work to keep you from pursuing any other career very successfully.
I got inspired by those citizen legislators, and especially the younger members who were trying to make a difference. So that is Lesson Number One if you want to be a good advocate -- GET INSPIRED, BELIEVE, HAVE PASSION, FORGET CYNICISM.
Lesson Number Two -- KNOW YOUR FACTS, DEVELOP YOUR MESSAGE. As a Legislator I don’t have lots of time. I want to listen, but I want you to inform me. Don’t waste your time, or anyone else’s. If you believe in what you are doing -- speak your truth with conviction. I won’t bite and neither will anyone else in the Legislature. You are all voters -- or you will be -- and you certainly know and influence people who are voters -- parents, grandparents, teachers, etc. We want to learn from you -- but you have to be ready to teach us. Do your homework.
Speaking of doing your homework, Lesson Number Three -- LEARN ABOUT THE PROCESS AND THE INSTITUTION. Even though I was there to advocate on some specific issues, I couldn’t get enough. I sat in Committee meetings and the Appropriations Committee for hour after hour -- and I couldn’t get enough. I expected I would glaze over, but my experience was just the opposite. I was fascinated to talk with lobbyists and people who had been around the state house for years. I was interested in the personalities and the institution and the interactions of the two that resulted in compromises -- and good legislation. I was hooked. I was interested in just about everything that went on under the golden dome.
As a result, I got to be good friends with the Legislator who was serving my hometown of Rumford, and when he was term-limited and could not run for re-election, he asked if I would be interested in running for the seat. It was a tough decision -- took me about one day to make up my mind. I knew it would be hard. To get elected in Maine -- the politics is all retail and that means knocking on every door of the district -- meeting as many voters as possible, listening, and getting out the message. Knocking on doors in Rumford Maine is pretty tough when you are in a wheelchair -- it added to the challenge. But it gave me a great opportunity to organize friends and supporters to help me in that task. I built a network -- and that network got me elected -- I couldn’t have done it any other way.
Since I’ve come to the Legislature, I’ve continued to work on building that network. Not because I want to use those relationships to move ahead -- but because those relationships are how I learn -- about issues, about what Maine people need and want, and about how to use government effectively to solve problems. It’s all about relationships. So that’s the Final Lesson -- THE ADVOCACY NEVER STOPS.
I could keep on going -- but I’ll stop there. Let me just say -- If you have passion for working with others, if you have a passion for serving other people, advocacy is for you. What are you waiting for?
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Pushing Forward Podcast Episode 2
Below please find the second episode of the "Pushing Forward" podcast.
In Episode 2 we examine Maine's budget writing process. Joining us to discuss this complex process is the House Chair of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, Representative Emily Cain.
In Episode 2 we examine Maine's budget writing process. Joining us to discuss this complex process is the House Chair of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, Representative Emily Cain.
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