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submitted 2 years ago by Kestrel@hexbear.net to c/news@hexbear.net

The measure, called Question 3, prompted heated debate in the months leading up to the election. Central Maine Power and Versant Power, the state’s dominant utilities, poured more than $40 million into a campaign opposing the referendum, outspending Pine Tree Power advocates 34 to 1. Political groups funded by the utilities and their parent companies mailed flyers and aired ads on TV, radio, and social media, urging Mainers to reject the measure, which would have effectively put the two companies out of business.

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[-] Dolores@hexbear.net 56 points 2 years ago

funny how it takes a plebiscite the company is allowed to campaign in to create a public utility, but selling off a public utility never comes with a plebiscite?

[-] janny@hexbear.net 29 points 2 years ago

tbf they did call a plebiscite for a similar thing to sell off the water utility in somerville nj, unfortunately our local DSA chapter didn't notice it in time and started campaigning against it waaaaayyyy too late so it passed.

[-] CantaloupeAss@hexbear.net 35 points 2 years ago

our local DSA chapter didn't notice

lmao damn

[-] janny@hexbear.net 2 points 2 years ago

i can't even really say anything cause as a member of our chapter's RnR working group alot of that was on me.

[-] aspensmonster@lemmygrad.ml 2 points 2 years ago

This sort of thing makes me more convinced than ever that socialists need a professional, cadre-oriented approach to their work. Relying on volunteers for everything is a recipe for burnout and failure.

[-] janny@hexbear.net 2 points 2 years ago

True, but tbf again I'm def willing to submit to self-critique on this one, I think I had a bit of an ultra-leftist error of trying to focus too hard on making solidarity statements for various events while ignoring local electoral struggles. Definately going to pay harder attention to local referendums next time around

this post was submitted on 08 Nov 2023
179 points (100.0% liked)

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