Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center

S7E2 Feeding Maine: The Fight Against Hunger in Urban and Rural Communities

In this episode, we interview Heather Paquette, Kelly Sirimoglu, and Justin Strasburger on the prevalence of food insecurity in Maine. Resources Transcript Coming Soon.

Split image with Chris O'Brien on the left and Senator Margaret Chase Smith on the right.

Margaret Chase Smith Library Director Chris O’Brien Joins Panel on Maine’s Influential Women’s History

Margaret Chase Smith Library Director Chris O’Brien joined a panel discussion hosted by Maine Calling to discuss influential women in Maine who have made their mark in politics, the arts, science, and other fields.

Extended artwork for MPR Library Special Issue illustrating a foot crushing the word "Libraries"

Exclusive Interview With Maine Policy Review Editors: Insights on Selection Processes and Expert Contributors

This interview discusses Maine Policy Review’s special issue on Maine libraries, highlighting the evolving challenges they face, such as funding, digital content access, book censorship, and their expanding role in social services. The editors share insights into the selection process, emphasizing contributions from various library professionals and national experts. Barbara Harrity and Joyce Rumery are […]

Jonathan Rubin Discusses New Tariffs on Energy with News Center Maine

MCSPC Director and economics professor Jonathan Rubin was recently interviewed by News Center Maine on how the new tariffs could impact Maine’s economy. “It’s really hard to know what this means in the long term, because we don’t really know how long these tariffs are going to last. As you may recall, they were threatened […]

Gulf of Maine as seen from a Whale Watching boat.

MCSPC Distinguished Maine Policy Fellow Retiring

Patrick Keliher, the longtime Commissioner of the Maine Department of Marine Resources, has announced his retirement. During his tenure, Keliher oversaw significant developments in Maine’s marine industries, including record increases in the lobster fishery’s landed value and navigating regulatory challenges.

As the sun begins to set, a skier starts their last run of the day at Sugarloaf in Carrabassett Valley on January 18. Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer

Jonathan Rubin on Assessing Mild Winter Impacts

The Portland Press Herald interviewed Jonathan Rubin, Director of the MCSPC and professor of resources economics and policy at the University of Maine, on how to assess the economic impact of mild winters in Maine and their cultural importance to the state.

Header image with special issue's name and cover art to the left.

Maine Policy Review’s Special Issue on Libraries

Maine Policy Review’s special issue on libraries (Vol. 33, No. 2) is now available on MPR’s Digital Commons site. MPR published a special issue on libraries in 2013, which emphasized the history, uniqueness, accomplishments, and statewide collaborations of Maine libraries. The new special issue on libraries focuses on the many changes in the world of information and the […]

Michael Scott poses with Senator Margaret Chase Smith's portrait at the Maine State House.

Margaret Chase Smith Portrait at Maine State House

Staff member Michael Scott took a tour of the Maine State House and spotted a portrait of Senator Margaret Chase Smith. Watch this video to learn more!

Happy National Fun at Work Day!

Staff at the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center are celebrating National Fun at Work Day with an ice cream event!

Scenery split in half, with left side depicting a growing field and the right a dry field.

S7E1 Climate Resilience in Maine: Protecting Communities and Infrastructure

In this episode, we feature a special host, Nicole Leblanc, who is a writer for our podcast. This episode focuses on climate resilience, Maine’s efforts toward clean energy and transportation, and Maine’s climate change infrastructure and will have two segments. The first will feature a one-on-one interview with Chief Engineer for the Maine Department of […]