05-08-18 Political Roundtable
Part 1: David Jones and Ray are joined by Jack Cianchette. They talk about school and some of the candidates, especially Adam Cote and his awesome commercial.
Part 2: Portland Mayor Ethan Strimling joins us and they discuss the Yellow Tulip Project’s event that was held on Sunday. The discussion goes on with mental illness and how important it is to get the stigma off of that phase. Ray asks him about his “tax cut” that he has put forward and other budget items. The Mayor gives his plan for his tax schedule.
Part 3: The panel takes a call and the caller talks about some of the different issues he is having a problem with our government. They briefly talk about Ranked Choice Voting.
Part 4: Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) President Grover Norquist joins us by phone from Washington DC. They discuss the proposed carbon tax. Grover explains exactly what is a carbon tax. Democrats in Congress want to tax carbon. Hillary Clinton wanted a carbon tax. Conservatives don’t. Assistant House Leader Rep. Ellie Espling joins us and Ray asks Jack and Ellie to reflect on the Maine Republican Convention. Ray gives kudos to Republican Party Leader Demi Kouzounas for running a tight convention.
Part 5: Former State Trooper and Head of the State Trooper’s Association Mike Edes joins the panel and gives a quick overview of the the memorial service of Cpl. Cole.
Part 6: Republican Party Leader Demi Kouzounas joins the panel. Mike continues to describe the honoring Cpl. Cole and how it was a healing event. Mike estimates 4,000 law enforcement officers from all over the country attended. Thank you to JetBlue, for offering free airfare for officers attending the service. Ray and Mike talk about the process for an officer involved in a shooting. Mike describes his experience of having to shoot someone and how it affected his family. Ellie gives her thoughts on the conventions. Ray praises Demi again for her leadership on the way the convention was run. She credits her team for the smooth operation of the convention.
Part 7: The panel discuss Ranked Choice Voting. Democrats have said that they will all accept the results of the election but the panel disagrees that will happen.
Part 8: Ray asks Ellie her opinion on the leadership of the Maine House of Representatives. Ellie describes the atmosphere of the House and what her expectations were and are for the Special Session. They talk about the Speaker of the House Sara Gideon and how her leadership is failing the state. She states that they are at the end of the session and she want them to end well. She also states that it takes good people to run for office so that there are good choices at the ballot.
Part 9: The panel talk about the youth involvement in the Republican party and how it isn’t the “future” of the party, but it is the party “now”!