PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • July 24, 2023
As Maine lawmakers and Gov. Janet Mills battle over a proposed ban on foreign campaign spending, companies from Canada and Spain are pouring millions of dollars into the state to buy television and online ads opposing a public takeover of two U.S.-based electricity companies. Supporters of the public power campaign were outraged last week when Mills vetoed a bill to prevent foreign spending in state and local races. Lawmakers will return to Augusta on Tuesday and could attempt to override the veto. But even if they are successful, the ban on foreign influence would have no impact on this fall’s public utility referendum campaign.