A recent Bangor Daily News op-ed written by Maine Policy Review author Daniel Bryant highlighted a discussion on the hidden costs within the U.S. healthcare system and the implications of a single-payer model. The mention underscores Bryant’s research in Maine Policy Review that uses 2020 Maine data to examine three healthcare cost categories: health services, […]
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Today is International Accounting Day, and we’d like to recognize our Senior Administrative and Fiscal Manager, Michael Scott! Michael expertly oversees financial operations for both the MCS Policy Center and the MCS Library, ensuring that budgets are balanced and resources are managed efficiently. His dedication and meticulous work keep our programs running smoothly. Thank you, […]
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On October 29th, The Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center at the University of Maine launched a timely new episode of Maine Policy Matters, featuring an insightful interview with Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. In S6E2 Behind the Ballot: Voting Integrity in Maine with Shenna Bellows, Secretary Bellows delves into the complexities of voting integrity […]
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In this episode, we interview Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows on election processes, election security, the importance of local municipal elections, and semi-open primaries. This episode explores the extensive systems Maine employs to protect the democratic process. Secretary Bellows provides an in-depth look at how the state ensures every vote is counted accurately, discussing […]
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Sergeant Ryan Close of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and Dr. Jamie Wren collaborated on using the Violent Death Reporting System data, which includes data on law enforcement suicide in Maine. The study has garnered national attention. The International Association of Chiefs of Police or I.A.C.P. requested that they present at their conference in Boston […]
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For International Podcast Day, we’re celebrating two years and six seasons of Maine Policy Matters, the official podcast of the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center. Our title reinforces the mission, vision, and values of the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center to inform public policy processes and promote civil discourse to solve the critical issues facing […]
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The Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center at the University of Maine launched Season 6 of their podcast, Maine Policy Matters, on September 3rd, 2024. Created to make public policy information more accessible to policymakers; government, business and nonprofit leaders; and the general public, Maine Policy Matters will feature episodes with experts on timely topics relevant […]
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This episode is part 2 of a two-part series on the status of broadband in Maine, with today’s topic focusing on digital equity, attitudes, and access. As we discussed in part one, Maine is uniquely situated for addressing the challenge of getting broadband access to every person, from urban to rural towns, both having their […]
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In this episode, we discuss broadband’s history and infrastructure in Maine with Heather Johnson, Nick Battista, Clara McCool, and Andrew Butcher. Heather Johnson is the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, which works with statewide and local partners, private industry, and small businesses to enhance and sustain economic prosperity in Maine. […]
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We’d like to congratulate Dr. Marcella Sorg for being honored by Governor Janet Mills with the Governor’s Award during the sixth annual Governor’s Opioid Response Summit on Thursday, July 25th. Sorg was recognized for her “extraordinary contributions in the fight against substance use disorder,” according to a news release from the governor’s office. Sorg has served […]
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