Great conversation with Sam Aborne as we run up to the November 4th vote for At-Large City Council position.

Eli and Tim honor Ryan Jordan, longtime Portlander.  Talk of the holidays.   Vacancy tax, referendums and the race for city council.   Jam packed with Tim getting smarter thru Eli.  

Eli talks about a new Portland business vacancy tax.   Tim tries to keep up with Eli and continues to fail.    Also, Yonder pouches for students.   Is it the right direction for preparing kids for the future?

Lots to talk about today.   Soft parents are creating soft kids.   An OOB cop is detained by ICE.   Portland Music Festival in Payson Park - could be good?   

Beloved high school sports writer, Michael Hoffer, has launched his website www.hoffershighschoolsports.com.   He comes to the Smarter and Harder studio to discuss the next phase of his unique and masterful coverage of Maine high school sp...

Tim is excited about the budget...for once.   Eli and Dr. Scallon use big words in their discussion of this year's budget.  

Tim does not like the MPA.  Eli makes some sense of the complicated issue of trans athletes competing in Maine.  

Eli and Tim bounce around a bunch of topics.  From parents behaving badly to Trump turning federal gov't on it's ear, to budget concerns.   Crazy times!

Tim is pissed in this one.  Eli makes his intelligent points.   Is this another case of the district throwing an educator under the bus?   What would you do if you were in Murph's position?

Eli eplains the 1% tax for paid family leave.  

Tim has questions about why we are not prosecuting drug users.  Eli, as always, applies logic to Tim's outrage.  

Eli and Tim respond to a passionate loyal listener who disagrees with the last episode.  Outstanding points and the response.  Also, Trump's cabinet is a ecclectic who's who in entertainment and outrage.  

A little on the presidential election and a lot on Portland politics.    With a clean sweep last week, the DSA is now in control of Portland's politics.

Dr. Ryan Scallon discusses the start of 2024-25 school year, $500k to fix mis-managed retirement money, school re-districting, high school consolidation update.   

Eli breaks down the voting once again. 

Eli and Tim discuss the Iran/Palestine/Israel conflict.  Tim wonders if the Portland City Council will make an official statement about denouncing the inhumane actions of Iran?    Also, Portland Ed Techs are working without a con...

Eli goes off and rightfully so.  Portland City Council wastes more time and UNANIMOUSLY alienates the Jews of Portland.  

Eli and Tim recap the summer of absurdities.

A little felon Trump talk.   A lot of talk about the Portland Rent Control Board.  

Dr. Ryan Scallon comes back for another episode to speak to the FY '25 budget for the schools.  Some cuts, some movement but very positive feedback.  He also discusses recent threats to 5 schools that put PHS and other schools on lock...

College campuses in turmoil and taken over by uneducated teenagers.   10% tax increase in Portland.  

Eli brings Tim up to speed on SCOTUS presidential decision.   First glance at the budet seems promising.   You know if has to be a responsible budget when Figdor does not like it.  

Tim and Eli disucss the high school consolidation plan that has begun to form.  The beginning of a 5-year effort to finally unit the high schools in Portland. 

Dr. Scallon discusses budget, snow days and high school placement.  An uneviable task this 2024-25 budget but some nuggets of hope.