Jon Bartholomew

Click here for a previous report on the issue.

In the last legislative session, state lawmakers approved measures that made it 30 percent harder for candidates for governor to qualify for public financing. They also required all gubernatorial candidates to be audited by the Ethics Commission.

Lawmakers also asked Jonathan Wayne, executive director of the commission, to study further improvements to public financing in gubernatorial elections.

At a public hearing Friday morning, a handful of proponents – mostly the usual suspects – said that the most recent round of changes should play out in 2010 before any more are made.

UPDATED Apr. 2 at 9:30 p.m. with more details on the debate

The state Senate passed a bill Wednesday allowing Maine to participate in the National Popular Vote interstate compact. The bill will next go before the House for consideration.  read more »

Update: The issue was tabled Thursday. 

The National Popular Vote bill is expected to come up for a second debate and vote Thursday in the Maine Senate.

The issue first came up in the Maine Senate Monday. With Sen. David Hastings III, R-Fryeburg, absent, they voted 17 to 17. On Tuesday, Hastings said he is against the bill so, providing everyone is there and votes the same, it won’t pass.

UPDATED: 11:07 a.m. Tuesday with more links

Senate President Beth Edmonds wants to give lawmakers a few more forms to fill out.