There's an epidemic in Maine that's causing an average of eleven deaths a week--it's called Substance Use Disorder. Representative Charlotte Warren, House chair of the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, and Courtney Allen, policy director of Maine Recovery Advocacy Project, talk with host Betsy Sweet about problems in Maine in the way we deal with this medical issue and ideas for changing and improving the support we give to people suffering from the disorder.
Two leaders from Maine Inside Out, Bruce King and Joseph Jackson, talk with host Betsy Sweet about changes that need to be made in the way Maine deals with young people who run afoul of the legal system. Includes footage from a Maine Inside Out event.
Maine Challenge host Betsy Sweet and Sarah Austin, tax and budget policy analyst at Maine Center for Economic Policy, discuss Maine's tax code. What is fair about Maine's taxes, and what could be improved? Sarah has some specific suggestions. Along the way, they take a look at historical tax rates and the ways in which tax policy can increase a sense of community, bringing people of diverse experiences and incomes together. "Taxes are like a modern day barn-raising," explains Betsy.
Betsy Sweet welcomes her guests Cam Shannon and Nacole Palmer of the Maine Gun Safety Coalition to speak on reforming gun laws in Maine.
Host Betsy Sweet is joined by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, founders of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, to talk about their work to end qualified immunity for police officers. Maine Representative Jeffrey Evangelos starts off the program describing the incident that led to his sponsorship of LD 214, An Act to End Qualified Immunity for Police Officers. Premiered April 15, 2021.
Maine Challenge w Betsy Sweet- Who Owns Maine's Water Nickie Sekera of Community Water Justice joins Maine Challenge host Betsy Sweet to discuss water rights in Maine. As a resident of Fryeburg, Nickie has seen the impact of water extraction from the local aquifer by the Swiss corporation, Nestlé, whose donations to local entities helps people overlook the fact that they are taking a life-giving resource. In fact, indigenous peoples say that "water is life." But also, "Is water the new oil?"...
Hate crimes against Asians are on the rise all over the U.S., and Maine is no exception. Host Betsy Sweet talks with Chanbopha Himm and Thuy Sullivan of Maine's Unified Asian Communities about their experiences and those of their communities' members -- and about what can be done.
Betsy Sweet interview Ron Fein Can Foreign Corporations Influence Maine Elections- Ron Fein of Free Speech for People
A look at Maine's hard right groups with Andy O'Brien and Crash Barry
Guest Commissioner of Labor, Laura Fortman
This week on Maine Challenge, Betsey Sweet interviews Craig Hickman. Craig Hickman who is campaigning to fill the Senate seat for District 14. Craig is an organic farmer who “has moved the Food Sovereignty movement in Maine, led the effort to keep Maine's legal cannabis business in the hands of local Mainers”, and been Chair of the House Agriculture Committee.
Democracy in the U.S. is under attack, both open, as in the Capitol insurrection on January 6, and stealthily, as in all forms of voter suppression and gerrymandering. Defending our democracy is a constant, ongoing challenge. This week on the Maine Challenge we focus on taking Democracy back for the people.
Betsy interviews Maine State Senator Troy Jackson of Aroostook Co.