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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

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All Episodes

13:52

The End Is Near

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

2026/04/03

Send us Fan Mail With committee work wrapped up, the supplemental General Fund budget finalized, and the last edition of MMA’s Legislative Bulletin published and emailed on March 27, the Legislature is on pace for an April 15 adjournment. In this episode of the podcast, Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell discuss how bills move between the chambers, highlight the municipally relevant components of the supplemental budget, and provide updates on the legislation debated this week. &...

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9:44

In Less than 10 Minutes

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

2026/03/24

Send us Fan Mail In a brief, yet informative podcast, Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell highlight several municipal issues moving toward final action as legislative committees conclude their work. With the April 15 adjournment date approaching, committees are finalizing amendments to bills affecting county jail funding, the Essential Programs & Services formula, interim recommendations from the Real Estate Property Tax Relief Task Force, and housing. These, and other proposals, wi...

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14:41

Many Roads Lead to the Budget

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

2026/03/12

Send a text As the Legislature’s appropriators continue to work on the supplemental budget, committees are establishing their funding priorities. So far, lawmakers have supported state funding for 55% of pre-K to grade 12 education costs, additional funding for county jail operations, and resources to retrofit school buses with critical safety features. Additionally, Tanya Emery joins podcast co-hosts Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell to discuss a wide range of legislative issue...

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17:21

Collaboration, Supplemental Budget & From Out of Left...

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

2026/02/24

Send a text Tanya Emery, MMA’s Advocacy Manager, joins podcast co-hosts Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell to discuss LD 2173, which seeks to amend LD 1829 housing development provisions enacted in 2025. The team also reviews key elements of Governor Mills’ proposed FY 2026 – FY 2027 supplemental General Fund budget (LD 2212), including funding for code enforcement officer support, pre-K to grade 12 school programs, school bus passenger safety retrofits, and an expansion of the veteran...

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17:16

EMS, Housing & Newspaper Notice

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

2026/02/10

Send a text In this edition of the Potholes & Politics podcast, Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell share updates on several bills of municipal interest that recently received public hearings and work sessions. They cover initiatives seeking to fulfill a 12-year promise to adequately reimburse providers for ambulance services, including the care provided at the scene of an emergency and community paramedicine (LD 2119); the long-awaited fixes to recently enacted housing legislation ...

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16:07

Snow Day Legislative Update

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

2026/01/27

Send us a text While Mainers were digging out from yet another snowstorm, podcast hosts Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell provided updates on several legislative initiatives. Their discussion covered proposals seeking to establish a recall process for school board members (LD 849); protecting the safety of certain judiciary and state and federal officials (LD 2121); amending the process for revoking a code enforcement officer’s state certification (LD 2097); and repealing the re...

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15:02

It’s Session Time!

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

2026/01/13

Send us a text Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell take to the air for their first Potholes & Politics podcast of 2026. Seeing that both hosts are members of MMA’s advocacy team, it is only fitting that this episode dives straight into the 2026 Legislative Session. The show kicks off with an overview of the work already underway, as legislative committees convened on January 5.

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13:16

2025 Wrap-up

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

2025/12/22

Send us a text From the turbulent enactment of the FY 2026-FY 2027 biennial budget and new limits placed on concept draft legislation to conversation about home rule and the January 7, 2026, return of the Maine State Legislature, Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell revisit some of the issues discussed on the Potholes & Politics podcast in 2025. Episode Links: Real Estate Property Tax Relief Task Force public comment can be sent to legislative staff via this email: re.ptax.relief@leg...

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10:49

Winter Safety Tips

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

2025/12/08

Send us a text Although MMA Risk Management Services (RMS) staff can’t keep the snow from flying, they can help prevent people from slipping on snow and ice. This week, Dan Whitter, RMS’s Loss Control Manager, joins Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell to share practical tips for avoiding slips, trips and falls. He also outlines the steps municipalities can take to ensure their facilities, equipment, and staff remain safe throughout the winter season. In addition, Dan discusses the...

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23:19

Property Tax Talk – Part III

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

2025/11/25

Send us a text Nick Cloutier, current assessor for the Town of Scarborough, and soon-to-be Waterville city manager, joins Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell to provide an update on the Legislature’s Real Estate Property Tax Relief Tax Force. Appointed by the Speaker of the House, Nick represents the interests of Maine’s tax assessors on the task force. In this episode, he outlines a range of solutions, from amending current programs such as the Property Tax Fairness Credit, to deliver ...

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12:04

Right to Know Advisory Committee

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

2025/11/12

Send us a text In this episode, Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell explore the work of the 18-member Right to Know Advisory Committee, which oversees and supports the Maine Freedom of Access Act. They discuss who serves on the committee, what the committee does, why the work maters, and how it impacts municipalities across the state. For those looking for a clear and concise overview of the committee’s role and responsibilities, this episode is worth a listen.

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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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54 results

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