MAINE CITIZENS FOR CLEAN ELECTIONS
A Conversation: Health Care and Democracy
March 2021
Perhaps no single topic has proven more difficult to address at the state and national level than health care. Few issues have such a direct impact on millions of families and individuals. And at 18% of our national GDP, no other issue presents comparable financial stakes. As a result, health care industry forces have an abiding presence in government at all levels, and participate in campaign funding for races in Maine and across the country.
Are wealthy and powerful corporations and organizations able to bend health care policy to favor their interests? Is public policy in this vital area subject to the popular will, or do lobbyists, contributors, and other powerful forces stand between the people and the solutions they desire?
Join this discussion with leading professionals in the field to discuss Power, Health Care, and Democracy. Former State Representative John Brautigam will moderate an impressive guest panel:
- Hon. Geoff Gratwick – Physician and former Senate Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee
- Dr. Phil Caper – Physician and board member of Maine Allcare
- Kate Sykes – Former investigative reporter and universal health care advocate
Watch it here
Corporate Contribution Ban Info Session
February 2021
Looking to get involved in limiting the influence of money in Maine politics? Check out this info session about our Corporate Contribution Ban, a bill to prohibit corporations from donating to campaigns, leadership PACs, and caucus PACs in Maine. We discuss what the bill aims to achieve, what is included in the bill, and what steps you can take to help advocate for it to pass this legislative session.
Watch it here
Money in Politics and Tax Policy
December 2020
Maine Citizens for Clean Elections and the Maine Center for Economic Policy teamed up to present a webinar on how money in politics shapes our tax policies.
Watch it here
Money in Politics and the Environment
September 2020
How does big money in politics affect environmental policy? In this webinar discussion, advocates from several climate & environmental groups will join MCCE for a conversation around how money in politics affects their work on environmental and climate issues in Maine.
Watch it here
How Money in Politics Affect You
May 27, 2020
Offering an introduction to online research tools available to the public, we discussed how corporate interests shape our lives. We also touched on candidates, political committees, issue committees, party committees, lobbyists -- the whole gambit.
Watch it here
Corporate Contributions
May 20, 2020
2020 was a huge election year, and that meant corporations were giving money to candidates and PACs. We know that spending during the election cycle surpassed $14 billion, which is twice the amount spent in the 2016 election. In this webinar, we broke down our report on corporate contributions, keeping an eye on how corporate interests continue to shape Maine politics.
Watch it here