The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com
Laurel Libby is a two-term state representative from Auburn and co-founder of The Dinner Table.
As I stood at a front door last Saturday, conversing with a voter, I was reminded of Aldous Huxley’s famous words: “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you mad.” Huxley’s insight resonated as I spoke with a constituent who was unaware of how her own political party’s actions were contributing to the challenges she faced. And it underscores a larger issue: Many voters don’t know what’s really happening in government, even when it directly impacts their lives.
That morning, I started my day like most weekends — coffee, family time, then hitting the streets to knock on doors in my district. One woman I met was quick to declare that she is a Democrat who is never voting for a Republican. Instead of walking away, I asked her to share her top concerns. After all, it’s my job to represent everyone in my district, regardless of party affiliation.
Her main concern was property taxes, which have skyrocketed. She was frustrated after taking advantage of a senior property tax freeze only to see her taxes spike following the repeal of the program. What she didn’t realize, however, was that the repeal wasn’t random — it was voted for by the Democratic majority in the Legislature. I explained that the repeal had been buried deep in a 380-page budget bill. Every Democrat present in the Legislature voted for it, while I, along with nearly every other Republican, voted against it.
Her shock was palpable. She asked why they would do that. I believe the answer is money. The senior property tax freeze was expensive, and funds were wanted elsewhere. But the larger issue is that such a crucial decision was hidden in the budget, largely obscured from public view. Like many voters, she had no idea which representatives had voted for it.
We also discussed the rising cost of living, particularly her electricity bill. Like many Mainers, she assumed her high bill was due to Central Maine Power. But the truth is more complicated. In 2019, the Legislature passed a bill requiring CMP to buy power from community solar farms — potentially at more than double the cost of production. New solar farms are causing our electricity bills to rise, and it’s everyday Mainers who foot the bill.
The Legislature had the chance to address this issue recently by repealing the solar subsidy. But once again, the Democratic majority killed the bill. As a result, her electric bill, and everyone else’s, will continue to rise.
She looked at me, baffled. She said that Democrats are supposed to be the party of the people. It’s a sentiment I’ve heard many times. For years, voters have trusted that their party has their best interests at heart. But the truth, as uncomfortable as it is, is that the Democratic Party in Maine has left many of its loyal supporters behind.
The painful reality is that policies put forth by the Democratic Party in Augusta are directly contributing to the struggles of everyday Mainers — whether through higher property taxes, rising electricity bills, or the repeal of a law that allowed local communities to control their tax rates. Yet, these voters are seemingly unaware of the role their own party plays in these challenges. The truth is often being hidden, buried in dense legislation or budget bills.
I walked away from that conversation grateful for the chance to share the truth, but also deeply frustrated. How do we get the word out to an entire state? How do we ensure people know what’s really happening in Augusta when so much is obscured by political maneuvering?
The answer lies in conversations like the one I had that day. It’s about engaging with people, including those who are affiliated with a different party. It’s about being willing to talk openly, to share the truth and to help people understand how decisions made in the State House affect their lives.
Because, as Huxley said, only the truth can set us free.
