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🎙️ Q-Point Podcast | Angus King III — Part Two

“There’s A Lot Of Grit In The Gears.” — How Regulation And Red Tape Are Making It Harder To Do Business In Maine.

In Part Two of Q-Point Podcast, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Angus King III continues the conversation with a wide-ranging discussion on Maine’s business climate, regulatory environment, and the practical challenges facing employers, entrepreneurs, and communities across the state.

King describes what he calls “grit in the gears” — the accumulated friction created by permitting delays, regulatory complexity, and administrative burdens that make it harder for businesses to locate, expand, and operate in Maine. He points to real-world examples, including multi-year permitting timelines and businesses choosing other states due to regulatory hurdles, while emphasizing that Maine’s quality of life remains among the best in the nation.

The conversation explores how regulatory decisions disproportionately affect small businesses, which make up the vast majority of Maine employers, and how even minor paperwork requirements can compound across thousands of businesses. King argues that improving coordination, streamlining processes, and creating clearer points of entry for businesses could help Maine better compete while still protecting its natural resources and communities.

Beyond the business climate, the episode also touches on leadership philosophy, executive versus legislative experience, economic development, workforce challenges, and how state government can better align policy with real-world practice. King discusses his view of the governor’s role as a chief executive focused on execution, accountability, and bringing people together to get results.

📻 Airs weekends on The Voice of Maine (101.3 FM, 103.9 FM & The Voice of Maine App).
⬇️ 🎧 Now streaming on QPointPodcast.com, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music & more.
Produced and sponsored by Corenna Quirk, Broker at NextHome Experience.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily represent those of the hosts, Q-Point Podcast associates, or affiliates.

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