Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z
Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z is a podcast about municipalities in Maine and the people and policies that bring local government to your doorstep. Through stories, experiences, current events, and interviews with municipal officials this podcast will spotlight the everyday challenges and successes of local governments in our home state. Potholes & Politics is brought to you by Maine Municipal Association. Comments and suggested topics can be sent to mmapodcast@memun.org
Episodes
42 episodes
Property Tax Talk – Part II
On this edition of the podcast, Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell are joined by Kathleen Billings, Stonington’s renowned town manager, a dedicated member of MMA’s Legislative Policy Committee, and one of three municipal appointees serving on ...
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Season 2
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Episode 23
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16:13
MMA’s One-Stop Shop for HR Information
This week, Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell are joined by Janet Kelle, MMA’s Human Resources Director. With more than 30 years of HR experience, most recently with Husson University, Janet quickly made her presence known at MMA. ...
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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10:05
Property Tax Study Talk
This week Carollynn Lear, Bangor City Manager joins Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell to discuss the first meeting of the Legislature's newly established Real Estate Property Tax Relief Tax Force. Of the task force’s 13 voting members, ...
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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12:44
MMA’s 89th Annual Convention – From Partnership to Progress
On October 8-9, 2025, Maine’s municipal leaders will gather at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor for MMA’s Annual Convention. This year’s theme, From Partnership to Progress, highlights how collaboration can lead to the implem...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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13:32
AI Leveling the Municipal Playing Field
In this edition of MMA’s Potholes & Politics hosts Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell are joined by Audra Caler, Camden Town Manager; Kyle Hadyniak, Gray IT & Communications Director; Brian McDonald, MMA IT Director, and Anthony Wilson...
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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25:12
Navigating State & Local Politics with Representatives Caruso and Ray
Join Potholes and Politics with co-hosts Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell as they sit down with Representatives Elizabeth Caruso and Michael Ray. The conversation delves into the differences and challenges between serving at the state and lo...
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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27:19
Insights from the NLC Workshop and Special Guest Teasers
Join co-hosts Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell in this episode of Potholes and Politics as they discuss their recent trip to the National League of Cities (NLC) workshop in Minneapolis. Amanda shares key takeaways, including innovative advoc...
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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11:40
A Sneak Peek at Studies
In this brief episode of 'Potholes and Politics,' hosts Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell dive into key legislative updates and study bills of municipal interest in Maine. They discuss the recent legislative adjournment, the upcoming issue of...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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17:27
Legislative Update & Farewell Grambo
In this episode of 'Potholes and Politics,' co-hosts dive into the messy world of local legislative sessions. They tackle intense debates about the state budget, revealing that the budget is safe and no government shutdown looms. Topics also in...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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34:24
The People's Veto and Beyond: Key Legislative Updates in 132nd Maine Legislature
Dive into the complexities of Maine's legislative session with our latest podcast episode! This episode we break down key bills, budget battles, and the implications of citizens' vetoes. Join Rebecca, Kate, Rebecca & Amanda ...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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36:44
March Madness Episode, 2025
Potholes and Politics: Bills, Brawls, and Birthday Cupcakes!Welcome to Potholes and Politics, where Rebecca Squared navigates the whirlwind of local legislation, tackling topics from voter registration to fire safety standards. Join Lam...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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36:06
Opening Week of the 132nd and We're back....
In the return episode of 'Potholes and Politics,' hosts Rebecca Graham, Rebecca Lambert, and Amanda Campbell dive into the latest happenings as the Maine legislature kicks back into gear. At the time of this recording they've printed a whopping...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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23:01
Advocacy on the road - Regional Meetings with Local Government
The Regional Meetings Podcast Episode:At the taping of this podcast MMA's Advocacy Team had conducted 10 regional meetings with municipal and county officials around the state to discuss pressures on local government, possible solutions and...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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50:35
MMA Annual Convention Featured Speaker, Hannah Pingree
The Urgency of Building Resilient Communities Hannah Pingree, Di...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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59:50
The Return of the Stormwater Rangers: Tackling Urban Stormwater and Statewide Solutions
In this episode, Rebecca Squared & Amanda the new kid continue the coversation with Stormwater Super Heros - Giants of municipal water protection activities; South Portland's Stormwater Coordinator
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1:14:45
Inside the Eleventh-Hour Legislative Scramble: Budget Battles, Housing Solutions, and the Quest for Transparent Governance
The statutory adjournment day of the 131st was April 18th, but the Legislature only recessed carrying many pieces of legislature over that was indefinitely postposed in a chaotic and partisan late night. As the Legislature did not adjou...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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45:16
Easter Monday Emergency Episode
In a surprise move, the legislature came into session today and upended the Governor’s supplemental budget request. After spending the weekend consulting with municipal officials in their home communities, the tone changed drastically.
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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9:56
First Legislative Update of 2024 - 2nd Session, February 1
Much delayed first legislative breakdown of the second session has dropped. This week we only go over what has happened for the First week of February though staff has been underwater with carryover initiatives during the entire month of Januar...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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47:50
Stormwater 101 with Maine Stormwater Rangers
Why should you care about stormwater? What is a MS4 regulated community? Why do people pick up their dog poo and put it in a bag only to dump it on the trail or in the storm drain? What is a harbor trout? In this episode, Rebecca S...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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43:38
Measuring Municipal Mill Rates 101 - Shining the Light on Maine's Tax Assessors
The sensationalized headlines around heated municipal meetings targeting municipal tax assessment changes, and property reevaluation haven't offered much in the way of educating the public around the root causes of Mill Rate and property ...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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55:22
Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows at MMA's 87th Annual Convention
This week we are highlighting one of the conversations from MMA's 87th Annual Convention held at the Augusta Civic Center, October 4 & 5, 2023. This year's convention theme was "Lead, Motivate, Communicate" and featured dynamic spea...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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14:50
Pumpkinfest Latte's and Maine Law Enforcement Accreditation (MLEAP) Programs
While it seems like we may have been on vacation, the intersession work has been in full swing and Legislative Committees including Judiciary and Housing are back at it next week! This episode we dive into the
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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49:13
Senior Property Tax Stabilization, What Happened? What is Next?
Last year, LD 290, An Act To Stabilize Property Taxes for Individuals 65 Years of Age or Older Who Own a Homestead for at Le...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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45:38
