``Digging Up Skeletons in the Graveyards of Government``
Ken Capron is – a Disruptor – a Contrarian – a Fiscal Conservative – Libertarian
Preliminary Campaign Platform
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Legislative Reform
Overhaul legislative procedures to support informed, transparent decision-making.- Replace Mason’s Manual with a more modern, transparent process.
- Require full sourcing of all data and information used in crafting laws (“data notes”).
- Reinstate the use of fiscal notes on all bills.
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Government Oversight – DOGE/OIG
Establish a Department of Government Oversight and Ethics (DOGE) or Office of Inspector General (OIG).- Consolidate investigative roles from multiple agencies into one independent oversight authority.
- Grant unrestricted authority to investigate government operations.
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State Budget and Accounting Reform
- Evaluate the impact of Accrual vs. Modified Accrual Accounting on budgeting.
- Identify and cut waste, fraud, and underperforming programs.
- Implement real-time oversight and debt transparency.
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Agency Efficiency & Accountability
- Require internal audits or external reviews of all departments.
- Enforce standardized policies and operational practices.
- Demand measurable results and efficiency benchmarks.
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Freedom of Access Act (FOAA)
- Target 100% government transparency.
- Align Maine’s FOAA with the federal FOIA standard.
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Human Rights Commission Reform
- Restructure the Maine Human Rights Commission to ensure fairness and due process.
- Require sworn evidence applied equally to both sides.
- Implement formal legal standards, including rules of evidence.
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Education Overhaul
- Return control of education to parents and qualified educators.
- Implement national learning standards and digital badges to track mastery.
- End political and ideological influence in classrooms.
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R&D and Economic Development
- Eliminate MTI and consolidate economic development efforts.
- Focus on commercializing research, especially in manufacturing.
- Streamline state investments toward practical results.
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Labor and Employment Reform
- Shift certain labor services to the private sector.
- Promote Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) as union alternatives.
- Redesign compensation with base pay (no COLA), performance bonuses, and innovation rewards.
- Base job value on performance, not gender or tenure.
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Nonprofits & Tax Equity
- Address the 10–20% of Maine’s tax base currently exempt.
- Implement PILOT (Payments in Lieu of Taxes) programs for large nonprofits.
- Ensure fair contributions from all sectors.
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Government Ethics Reform
- Establish a truly independent Government Ethics Commission.
- Separate it from election enforcement; focus on integrity in all branches.
- Apply consistent ethical standards across agencies and offices.
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Civic Education & Engagement
- Educate citizens on legislative processes and government impact.
- Require clear, accessible public explanations of laws and policies.
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Energy Policy
- Invest in nuclear and LNG energy options.
- Modernize transmission and distribution infrastructure.
- Prioritize consumer cost reduction over producer profits.
- End Net Energy Billing; allow shared use of utility rights-of-way.
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Transportation Strategy
- Phase out electric vehicle mandates and subsidies.
- Explore advanced transit options like maglev technology.
- Eliminate underperforming subsidized transport programs.
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Healthcare System Reform
- Deregulate and decentralize healthcare decision-making.
- Reform MaineCare for better access and cost-efficiency.
- Renegotiate long-term care contracts.
- Provide protections against healthcare-related lawsuits.
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Justice System & Legal Access
- Address corruption and bias in the legal system.
- Reform AG oversight and eliminate secret agreements.
- Create basic legal training for Pro Se litigants.
- Expand low-cost legal advocacy through interns and residents.
- Strengthen both civil and criminal Gideon rights.
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Human Rights Enforcement
- Enforce constitutional rights regardless of income level.
- Clarify that the Attorney General serves the people, not the government.
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Environmental Stewardship
- Address failures of the Department of Environmental Protection.
- Prioritize consumer protection over manufacturer interests.
- Regulate solar panel waste and environmental damage across industries.