Gordon L. Weil has been active in politics, journalism, publishing and energy consulting. A graduate of Bowdoin College, he has a master’s degree from the College of Europe (Belgium), and a Ph.D. from Columbia. He is an Army veteran.
He was a top aide to U.S. Sen. George McGovern during his run for president. In Maine, he served as Commissioner of Business Regulation, Director of the Office of Energy Resources and the state’s first Public Advocate. He was a Harpswell selectman. He led the negotiations that created the unified New England power grid and chaired the national organization of state energy agencies.
He reported for the Washington Post, Newsweek, London’s Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal and WNET (New York). His weekly commentary has appeared in Maine newspapers since 2008. He has written or edited 16 books or collections ranging from the biography of Sears, Roebuck to the three-volume U.S. Supreme Court original jurisdiction decisions. His company, sold in 2005, was the largest publisher of state government regulatory codes.
A whistleblower's complaint has lawmakers questioning the purpose of the Maine Information and Analysis Center, which can surveil citizens even if they're not criminals.
To avoid political paralysis, state leaders must improve their ability to work together. Congress should form a committee to weigh the impacts of federal bills on local power.
Small voting precincts have allowed paper balloting to thrive in Maine. Other states should follow suit. And if paper isn’t an option, use a non-political electronic voting service.
With the response to COVID-19 fresh in our minds, it’s imperative that lawmakers introduce legislation that improves government's ability to manage a crisis.
A combination of unclear reporting from the Maine CDC and growing support to rapidly "open" the state leaves a large segment of Mainers more vulnerable to COVID-19.