Advocates look to fall referendum to ban foreign campaign spending

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • July 25, 2023

Supporters of an effort to ban foreign governments from spending money on Maine referendum campaigns are vowing to pass the measure through a statewide ballot question after the Legislature failed Tuesday to override Gov. Janet Mill’s veto of the proposal. Supporters urged lawmakers to enact the bill outright rather than requiring a costly fall campaign, pointing to spring polling showing 82% of respondents supporting it. But opponents argued that the bill would muzzle other Maine businesses and the constitutional rights of a free press.