In light of the epidemic of gun violence at a massive all time high, we cover the national March For Our Lives protest here in Portland. Additionally, we cover Stella Crawford and Eban Harrison who lead a "walkout" protest from their Cape Elizabeth High School, landing on the steps of Susan Collins' office in Portland. Hear from 17 year old Stella, and 18 year old Eban, as they share their reasons and passion for safety from semi-automatic gunfire.
Leonard- Brian
Maine Challenge – Semi-Open Primaries Revisited – June 7 2022
This week's show is a sort of hybrid re-release of a previous show on "Open Primaries".(which is very timely this week into next) It has a new introduction from Betsy, and it has a new coat of paint sporting the new look of our MC 30 minute shows.
Maine Challenge – Legislative Barriers – May 20 2022
In this episode, Betsy examines how legislative representation in Maine is awkwardly skewed to work only for those in "comfortable" income classes. Betsy speaks with 4 people coming from different angles to assess and develop solutions to create a balanced and true "citizen legislature".
Maine Challenge – 130th Legislative Session – Apr 25 2022
Betsy Sweet had an opportunity to speak about the issues and laws that made positive traction in the State of Maine's 130th legislative session(early 2022) on our Maine Challenge Livestream.
Maine Challenge – Amending Maine Constitution – Apr 11 2022
The Climate Crisis continues - and yet we are not seeing fast or fundamental action. This week we talk with four activists who are trying to change that with the Pine Tree Amendment which would guarantee a constitutional right to a clean environment as the basis for all policies in Maine. Tune in as it winds its way through the Maine Legislature.
Maine Challenge – Supreme Court Nomination – Mar 27 2022
Betsy Sweet, Rep. Charlotte Warren, Marie Follayttar, and Linda Homer all road tripped together to the KBJ nomination hearings in Washington DC. Upon returning, this live, interactive community Zoom show was recorded to discuss their experiences, and everyone's outlook about the nomination.
Maine Challenge – Housing is a Human Right – Mar 10 2022
Betsy speaks with 3 people, all working on the housing crisis from different angles here in Maine.
The Maine Challenge – Matt Brown and the Rhode Island Tidalwave – Feb 26 2022
Candidate for Governor of Rhode Island, Matt Brown, joins Betsy to speak about the political "Cooperative" they have created in Rhode Island for the 2020 election where they landed 10 new progressive candidates into office. Their aim is to run 50 more candidates at all levels across Rhode Island in 2022. Find out why, and how we can do this right here in Maine.
Maine Challenge – Paid Family Leave – Feb 14 2022
Tired of not being able to have paid leave for childbirth, or caring for a sick family member? We talk with a Mom who is “coping “, a Maine state Senator and an advocate about efforts to make it happen here in Maine, soon!
Maine Challenge – You re Elected But What is It Like To Serve – Jan 29 2022
Betsy sits down with ground breaking women of color to see what being a first really means after the election is over.
Maine Challenge – What’s Up Under the Dome – Jan 18 2021
This week's guests discuss issues and legislation they will be working on in the new 2022 legislative session. Including: climate change, tribal sovereignty, and criminal justice reform. In "Sweet Sounds Off", (23:46) Betsy speaks to the importance of being informed and getting involved in the issues and legislation that effect all of us directly.
Maine Challenge – One Off Bruce Gagnon Interview – Jan 5 2021
he Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space is the leading group internationally working to keep space for peace. Bruce Gagnon, its coordinator since it was established in 1992, details his impetus in challenging the turning of space into a war zone. Gagnon speaks of the aerospace industry seeking to get the money to pay for the U.S. moving into space militarily by taking it from “entitlement programs—Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and what’s left of the social safety...
Maine Challenge – Are We Losing Democracy – Jan 3 2021
In the last program of 2021, Maine Challenge brings back an interview with Heather Cox Richardson taped before the 2020 election, in which she basically lays out the GOP plan — with then-President Trump at the helm — for subverting the presidential election results. The aftermath of that strategy, the deadly January 6th storming of the U.S. Capitol, is then described in an emotional discussion with two political activists, one Republican and one Democratic, that was videotaped on January 7....
Maine Challenge – The Future of Work Part 1- 12-13-21
Host Betsy Sweet talks with economist Susan Feiner and labor expert Andy O’Brien about the current situation with work and jobs -- from the perspective of workers. What has changed post- (or mid-) COVID? What are the long-term implications?
Maine Challenge – Money – The Surefire Way Out of Poverty – 11-24-21
Freeport’s Carol Wishcamper and Mississippi advocate Aisha Nyandoro join host Betsy Sweet to explain the inception and impact of their work with the Magnolia Mother’s Trust, a groundbreaking project that gives mothers living in extreme poverty in Jackson, Mississippi, a no-strings-attached monthly grant of $1,000. Testament to the life-changing quality of the grant is provided by three of the women who’ve participated in the project. Then, in Sweet Sounds Off, Betsy has two suggestions that...
Maine Challenge – Time for Transformation – 11-16-21
Maine Challenge brings you an excerpt from “Building the Future We Dream of,” the keynote address made by LaTosha Brown, one of the founders of Black Votes Matter, at the Maine Women’s Summit on Economic Justice in October. Brown speaks movingly of the need for us to be visionaries as we work to make Maine and the world better for all. If not, she says, we’re simply responding to the world envisioned by others. Maine Challenge host Betsy Sweet addresses the fact that Congress pulls out the...
Maine Challenge – Fake News – 11-16-21
aine Challenge host Betsy Sweet examines the dangers and implications of so-called fake news in a conversation with Maine journalist Bill Nemitz. Then Alex Kotch from the Center for Media and Democracy takes us on a tour of the trail of money that led to the Big Lie, which falsely claims Democrats stole the election from Trump. Finally, Betsy sounds off on what you can do to uncover and counter the lies told by biased sources--lies that are undermining the public’s faith in democracy.
Maine Challenge – Does Maine Do Corrections Correctly – 11-2-21
Maine has a terrible national ranking when it comes to our system of criminal justice. Host Betsy Sweet talks about its problems with three members of the Maine Legislature’s Joint Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety: Chair Charlotte Warren, Rep. Victoria Morales, and Rep. Grayson Lookner. Recidivism is especially high in Maine, and Betsy talks with three people working to change that both inside prisons and after incarcerated people are released. Finally, in “Sweet Sounds Off,”...
Maine Challenge – What’s on the Ballot? – 10-16-21
Join host Betsy Sweet as she walks us through the three ballot questions facing voters on November 2: Question 1 on the CMP Corridor; Question 2 on an infrastructure bond; and Question 3 on a Constitutional Amendment for the Right to Food. Betsy also offers a refresher on absentee and in-person voting in Maine, and she sounds off about the crazy way some referendum questions are worded.
Maine Challenge – Kitchen Table – 9-14-21
Special Maine Challenge
An insider's view! On one of the last days of the 2020-2021 Maine legislative session, host Betsy Sweet took to the airways live from the Maine State House to talk about the status of bills and initiatives discussed on previous Maine Challenge programs. Several legislators stopped by during the program to add their perspectives on what did and didn't make it into law.
Maine Challenge – First Year Celebration – 6-25-21
Betsy Sweet takes a look back at the first year of Maine Challenge
Maine Challenge – Racial Equality – 6-18-21
Host Betsy Sweet is joined by Joby Thoyalil, Senior Policy Advocate at Maine Equal Justice, and James Myall, Economic Policy Analyst at Maine Center for Economic Policy — both members of the Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous and Maine Tribal Populations — to discuss progress being made toward achieving systemic equity in Maine law and social programs. Governor Mills added funding for the commission in her May budget, and the commission is beginning to weigh in on aspects...
