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.

  • janny [they/them]
    ·
    8 months 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.

      • janny [they/them]
        ·
        8 months 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.

        • Preston Maness ☭@lemmygrad.ml
          ·
          8 months 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 [they/them]
            ·
            8 months 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