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PODCAST

Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z

Maine Municipal Association

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

government social sciences

All Episodes

15:42

Housing Legislation – A Succinct Summary

Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z ·

2025/10/28

Send us a text Tanya Emery, the newest member of MMA’s advocacy team, joins Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell to discuss housing, which is a hot topic in many circles. With the rapid pace of change and growing demands being placed on municipalities and residents who have helped shape their communities, the intergovernmental relationship is being tested. In what can best be described as a “CliffsNotes” approach, the advocacy team succinctly summarizes the many housing issues that await the M...

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16:13

Property Tax Talk – Part II

Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z ·

2025/10/14

Send us a text 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 the Real Estate Property Tax Relief Tax Force. Kathleen brings a strong coastal community perspective to the discussion. From the rise in second-home ownership and the dwindling availability of year-round housing, to inflationary pr...

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10:05

MMA’s One-Stop Shop for HR Information

Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z ·

2025/09/29

Send us a text 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. In this edition, Rebecca, Amanda and Janet dive into the wide range of human resource services available to MMA member municipalities. These include succession planning, employee handbook reviews, and compliance guidance, as well as...

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12:44

Property Tax Study Talk

Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z ·

2025/09/16

Send us a text 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, Carollynn was appointed by Governor Mills to represent the interests of larger communities. Having served as the deputy commissioner for the New Hampshire Department of Revenue, she brings to the table an in-depth knowledge of the i...

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13:32

MMA’s 89th Annual Convention – From Partnership to...

Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z ·

2025/09/04

Send us a text 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 implementation of successful and sustainable solutions. This week, Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell are joined by Peter Osborne, MMA Education Services Director to discuss the planning that goes behind the convention. They are also ...

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25:12

AI Leveling the Municipal Playing Field

Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z ·

2025/08/18

Send us a text 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, Winthrop Town Manager to discuss how AI can support municipal work and services. The key takeaway from this session is that with practice, policies and responsible use, AI can level the playing field among municipalities by provid...

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27:19

Navigating State & Local Politics with...

Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z ·

2025/08/04

Send us a text 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 local levels, the importance of municipal officials' voices in legislative processes, and key concerns and accomplishments from their first legislative session. With insights on property taxes, legislative compromise, and the fast-paced nat...

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11:40

Insights from the NLC Workshop and Special Guest Teasers

Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z ·

2025/07/21

Send us a text 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 advocacy strategies and the recurrent challenge of housing issues. The hosts also tease their upcoming episode featuring special guests. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and tune in for more local Maine insights!

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17:27

A Sneak Peek at Studies

Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z ·

2025/07/07

Send us a text 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 the Maine Town and City magazine, and various significant study bills, including those on property taxation, unfunded mandates, unregulated stormwater pollution, and school funding. The episode also touches on their upcoming trip to the ...

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34:24

Legislative Update & Farewell Grambo

Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z ·

2025/06/27

Send us a text 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 include the dramatic Growth Management Act dialogues, General Assistance reforms, and jaw-dropping housing bills. Major highlights include a tussle over election reforms, public comment periods, and absurdly technical housing legislations. ...

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36:44

The People's Veto and Beyond: Key Legislative Updates...

Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z ·

2025/05/29

Send us a text 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 for an insightful discussion on what has been happening this session of municipal interest, what you should pay attention to and maybe what you should contact your Legislator about! Topics include the state of the budget situation, Gene...

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36:06

March Madness Episode, 2025

Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z ·

2025/03/18

Send us a text 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 Lambo and Grambo as they dive into the minutiae of obscure bills, from regulating corner caucuses to updating voter registration systems and debating cannabis laws—and yes, even the state of public hearings and emergency services funding. Stay tun...

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23:01

Opening Week of the 132nd and We're back....

Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z ·

2025/01/21

Send us a textIn 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 139 bills already, with 29 needing immediate attention for their significant impact on municipalities. Now in week 2 we are at 293 bills printed. The hosts discuss first week bills related to municipal operations, transparency, education,...

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50:35

Advocacy on the road - Regional Meetings with Local...

Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z ·

2024/11/18

Send us a textThe 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 meet with candidates for State office to understand better the needs of local government. From Presque Isle to Alfred, some issues are the same with a significant difference in the ability for local government to address them. It is abun...

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59:50

MMA Annual Convention Featured Speaker, Hannah Pingree

Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z ·

2024/10/09

Send us a textThe Urgency of Building Resilient Communities Hannah Pingree, Director of the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future and co-chair of the Maine Climate Council, talks about the urgent importance of community action, planning and investments to build resilience to impacts of climate change following the devastating winter storms of December 2023 and January 2024. In response to these storms, Governor Mills proposed and authorized the largest recovery support package...

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74:45

The Return of the Stormwater Rangers: Tackling Urban...

Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z ·

2024/06/25

Send us a Text Message.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 Fred Dillon and Portland's Stormwater Coordinator Doug Roncarati and their state level partner Maine Department of Environmental Protection Stormwater Engineer Cody Obropta to tackle issues around development pressures. Does regulation make development harder or does...

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45:16

Inside the Eleventh-Hour Legislative Scramble: Budget...

Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z ·

2024/05/01

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9:56

Easter Monday Emergency Episode

Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z ·

2024/04/01

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47:50

First Legislative Update of 2024 - 2nd Session,...

Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z ·

2024/02/05

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43:38

Stormwater 101 with Maine Stormwater Rangers

Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z ·

2023/12/13

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43 results

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