Since 1992
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Paid political advertisement by Josh Morris, Republican candidate for House District 75.
By Josh Morris
“Maine, the Way Life Should Be.” it’s a slogan that conjures up images of idyllic landscapes from the coastline to the mountains. Maybe it makes you think of our changing seasons, and the natural beauty of the foliage in the fall. Perhaps you think of your community and the public suppers put on by the many church, civic and charitable groups. Whatever this phrase means to you, I think we can all agree that Mainers should be in control of their own destiny, free from outside influence.
That is why I am running for state representative for the towns of Turner, Leeds and Livermore. In recent years, we have seen out of state liberal special interest groups come to push an agenda out of touch with rural Maine. The proof of that is all the referenda on the ballot the last two years, all passed without the support of the people in our communities. We will hear the refrain that we need to honor the will of the people. I believe that my job as a legislator will be to honor the rights of the people. The rights of the people to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness cannot be voted away by the majority at the ballot box.
If elected as your state representative, I will work to reform the broken citizen’s initiative process. We need to bring more transparency about where these groups are getting their money. We also need to stop the practice of paying people for gathering signatures. If you strongly believe in the reforms you seek, you should be happy to collect signatures as a volunteer.
We also need to reform the process by which these questions are placed the ballot. Instead of just gathering signatures in southern Maine, we should require that they get their signatures from all over Maine. Let’s see Mike Bloomberg’s group come to rural western Maine to collect signatures for another gun control bill. I guarantee, they won’t get them.
We also should change the threshold for passage of a citizen’s initiative. Many folks that I have talked to feel that Portland controls the whole state. Rather than have a referendum become law with a simple majority, let’s require broader support; I say 60% of voters, before it becomes law. It makes sense when you consider any legislation passed in Augusta by a simple majority is subject to a governor’s veto. Why not require a higher threshold for passage of a referendum?
I grew up in Maine, and my family has called these communities home for over 200 years. I enjoy its idyllic beauty, the ingenuity and decency of our people. That’s why I feel passionate about reforming our referendum process to make it harder for out of state groups to change Maine. I hope you will support me in the Republican primary June 12 so we can keep Maine the way life should be.
