Bill Diamond

Latest Articles

Long term plan

Maine Legislature in 2012
Since you're reading this column, I assume you're a person well-versed in the important matters facing this state, or else you're insanely bored and found my stuff marginally more entertaining than the legal notices.
By AL DIAMON | December 07, 2011

Three the hard way

Gubernatorial candidates
The current field of Democratic gubernatorial candidates consists of one who's already run unsuccessfully, one who's a member of the 1 percent of rich and powerful Americans the Occupy Maine movement is protesting, and one who's sort of loopy.
By AL DIAMON | November 30, 2011

Democrats celebrate victory in the face of defeat

They cozy up to Republicans and the rich
Senator Dawn Hill, of Cape Neddick, the lead Democrat on the Legislature's Appropriations Committee, which fashioned the recently passed $6-billion state budget, explained to the Phoenix why she voted to reduce income and estate taxes on the rich while also voting for cuts in help to the poor and in teacher and state-worker pensions.
By LANCE TAPLEY | July 06, 2011

Instead of cuts: guts

Raise taxes on the rich? Only one candidate says ‘yes’?
Let’s assume, reader, that you’re concerned about economic and social justice. For those in real need — people who are poor, sick, old, mentally ill, addicted, disabled — you want decent care. You’re concerned, too, about proper funding of schools, community colleges, and university campuses.
By LANCE TAPLEY | January 06, 2010

Nobody dies

The Department of Economic and Community Development dodges the axe
Some things in life are essential — beer, the MLB Network, caller ID — and some things aren't — tofu, Jay Leno, the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development.
By AL DIAMON | December 30, 2009

Gifts of the magi

Who's on the naughty list?
OK, so math isn't Poliquin's strong point. And he's a little shaky on consistency. But are those minor flaws enough to convince Santa to leave coal in his stocking?
By AL DIAMON | December 22, 2009

Can't be wrong

Talking Politics
I don't care if my state representative is sneaking off to Argentina to romance some exotic mystery woman. Given my rep's track record at the State House, he's unlikely to be any less effective in pursuing a clandestine international affair than in passing legislation.
By AL DIAMON | July 08, 2009

Stuck in the middle with you

Alliance for Maine's Future thinks the Maine Legislature needs more moderates.
On the surface, moderation appears to be a simple concept. Avoid extremes. Seek compromise. ... It's sort of like being a hypocrite, except without most of the fun parts.
By AL DIAMON | February 25, 2009

Falling down

Mistreatment of Maine prison guards lands heavily on inmates
Critics of the state Department of Corrections say the hostage-taking last June at the Maine State Prison dramatically illustrates that the concrete, high-tech lockup in Warren is showing cracks from stress on the prison guards.
By LANCE TAPLEY | November 05, 2008

Are the prisons overcrowded?

Letters to the Portland editor: February 15, 2008
I am asking the whole Legislative Committee to physically go and inspect the prison to ascertain how much bed space is there.
By LETTERS TO THE PORTLAND EDITOR | February 13, 2008

Letters to the Portland editor: May 4, 2007

Go, Lance, go!
God bless the First Amendment.
By LETTERS TO THE PORTLAND EDITOR | May 02, 2007

This could be a possibility

Politics and other mistakes
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a column about Democratic state Senator Ethan Strimling of Portland and his plans to run for the 1st Congressional District seat in 2008 (see "Scary Guy," December 15).
By AL DIAMON | December 27, 2006

Scary guy

Politics and other mistakes
Three words that cause Maine Republicans to become panic-stricken and lose control of their bodily functions...
By AL DIAMON | December 13, 2006