General News

Illustration of a hand holding a nasal naloxone unit. Image courtesy of OPTIONS.

New Maine Policy Matters Episode on Maine’s Opioid Epidemic

The Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center at the University of Maine’spodcast, Maine Policy Matters, continues to focus on critical issues with the release ofSeason 6 Episode 3 Harm Reduction: Compassionate Solutions to Maine’s OpioidEpidemic, focusing on the opioid epidemic in Maine. This episode brings together apanel of experts to discuss the state’s ongoing challenges and […]

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Black and white photo of Margaret Chase Smith posing in front of a birthday cake.

Celebrating the 127th Birthday of Senator Margaret Chase Smith

Today marks Senator Margaret Chase Smith’s 127th birthday. She was born in Skowhegan, Maine on December 14, 1897. “Birthdays can be wonderful occasions–even without gifts–when friends and relatives express their warm feeling for you”-Senator Margaret Chase Smith (December, 15 1952)

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MPR 33(1) cover illustrating Donald C. Gellers.

Maine Policy Review Cited in U.S. Health Care Cost Analysis

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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Selfie of Michael Scott

Celebrating International Accounting Day and Our Financial Professional

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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Maine Policy Matters logo is on the left side of the image and a headshot of Shenna Bellows is on the right side of the image, split in the middle.

Maine Policy Matters Interviews Shenna Bellows on Voting Integrity

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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Jamie Wren (middle) with Ryan Close (left) and Karen Maline (right) at IACP 2024.

Dr. Jamie Wren Presents Research Study to Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

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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Celebrating International Podcast Day

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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Maine Policy Matters logo is on the left side of the image and WiFi networks top view highlighting citywide access is on the right side of the image, split in the middle.

New Season of Maine Policy Matters

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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Marcella Sorg Headshot

Dr. Marcella Sorg Receives Governor’s Award

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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2024 Maine Government Internship Progran interns in the Senate chamber of the State House.

National Intern Day

As the summer of 2024 progresses, our Maine Government Internship Program interns have been making an impact across the state of Maine. Ava Shapiro Amelia Mooney Photo Courtesy of Maine Bureau of Human Resources

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