PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 17, 2022
Hydro-Quebec, a corporation that is wholly owned by the government of Quebec, spent $22 million to influence the outcome of a recent election. That’s an obscene amount of money from a single donor, regardless of who that donor may be. It must never happen again. Should foreign governments be allowed to buy out Maine law? The answer must be a resounding no. We have the opportunity – the obligation – to correct this problem. There is strong bipartisan support for Protect Maine Elections, which would stop foreign governments from spending in Maine elections, impose new public disclosure requirements on foreign entities that engage in issue advertising, and require that media companies disclose illegal spending by foreign powers. By working together, we will protect the free speech, representation and votes of all Mainers, not just wealthy donors. ~ Sen. Nicole Grohoski, D-Ellsworth, and Rep. Nathan Carlow, R-Buxton