Politics and other mistakes
Each year, Governor John Baldacci announces his top priority in the next legislative session will be reducing the state income tax. (“Lack of political clout? What lack of political clout?”)
By AL DIAMON | August 20, 2008

Crackpot court

Taking a shot at the Supreme Court’s recent gunplay
This past week’s Supreme Court ruling, invalidating Washington, DC’s handgun ban, demonstrates just how far afield “movement conservatism” has taken our country.
By EDITORIAL | July 02, 2008

Mixed reviews: A state budget for desperate times

Talking Politics
The budget consensus reached by Governor Carcieri and legislative leaders last week represents just another marker of Rhode Island’s ongoing dire straits.
By IAN DONNIS | June 25, 2008

Taking from the poor

Democratic lawmakers show their Republican values
What values do Maine’s Democrats hold?
By LANCE TAPLEY | May 07, 2008

Chafee for governor?

Running as an independent, he could thumb his nose at the worst of both parties
For now, Lincoln Chafee has the luxury of discussing his political future as a riddle wrapped up in an enigma.
By IAN DONNIS | April 10, 2008

Jump to it

Politics and other mistakes
Tax reform is the Evel Knievel of political issues. It gives us the most pleasure when it crashes and burns.
By AL DIAMON | March 19, 2008

Jackson's sweet dream

Jesse Jackson's 1988 presidential campaign
This article originally appeared in the March 4, 1988 issue of the Boston Phoenix.
By SCOT LEHIGH | March 07, 2008

Tax break heaven

The rich get richer, the middle class picks up the tab, and the state goes broke. Here’s why.
As the economy sours, state taxes are bringing in less than expected.
By LANCE TAPLEY | February 20, 2008

Corporate welfare state

A little change in the tax law with big consequences
In 2006, state lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to give away millions of tax dollars a year for decades to some of Maine’s biggest corporations.
By LANCE TAPLEY | February 20, 2008

Dressed up for the letdown

Politics and other mistakes
I needed to get this column spiffed up, so I headed for the metaphor closet.
By AL DIAMON | January 16, 2008

Committee of onions and failure

Politics and other mistakes
To help me decide on a topic for this week’s column, I assembled a blue-ribbon commission.
By AL DIAMON | January 02, 2008

Everyone’s a neocon now

Looking back on state politics — and forward
In the eight years I’ve covered the State House for the Portland Phoenix, I’ve been struck by the depressingly constant themes.
By LANCE TAPLEY | December 21, 2007

Conservative group lands Norquist for fundraiser

Talking politics
Grover Norquist is probably best known for saying, “My goal is to cut government in half in 25 years, to get it down to the size where we can drown it in the bathtub.”
By IAN DONNIS | November 19, 2007

Carcieri goes for his cuts

The Governor on his cost-reduction plan, the casino threat, and more
Carcieri seems to find motivation in things like a handwritten note sent by an elderly telephone company retiree, exhorting him to cut state spending.
By IAN DONNIS | October 24, 2007

This woman killed tax reform

In the lobby
“She pulled the plug,” says Taxation Committee chairman Joseph Perry.
By LANCE TAPLEY | July 11, 2007

Them vs. you vs. me

Politics and other mistakes
Many people believe the Maine Legislature is ineffective because it’s run by a bunch of idiots.
By AL DIAMON | July 11, 2007

Suspended animation

Politics and other mistakes
Cue the ominous music.
By AL DIAMON | July 02, 2007

How screwed are we?

Elected officials and pundits offer their take on rhode island’s budget predicament
At a time when most state budgets are flush with surpluses, Rhode Island’s fiscal house remains in disrepair.
By IAN DONNIS | June 28, 2007

Hidden agenda

Politics and other mistakes
The Portland Press Herald and Maine Sunday Telegram are wonderful newspapers.
By AL DIAMON | June 27, 2007

Rhode Island at a crossroads

This year’s budget could signal a major shift in the state’s underlying principles
Among the hundred young people at a recent State House rally was a 17-year-old high school student, who could find himself in one of two places — either in college or homeless — a year from now.
By BRIAN C. JONES | April 25, 2007

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