News

Rural Public Transportation in Maine–New Report

Great Need for Public Transportation in Rural Areas Access to critical services, such as jobs, education, healthcare, and shopping, is essential for the livability of any community. For those living in rural communities, these services are often farther away, requiring access to a vehicle or public transit. In Maine, the oldest and most rural state, […]

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New Report on High Fuel Efficiency Vehicles

High Fuel Efficiency Vehicles Can Bolster Maine’s Economy Recent data shows that 54% of Maine’s CO2 emissions come from transportation. A new report by Jonathan Rubin, Kathryn Ballingall, and Erin Brown of the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center notes that Maine’s economy can benefit from reducing transportation-related petroleum demand and emissions. This economic benefit can […]

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McKee talks with News Center about summer internship program

Peggy McKee, a research associate at the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center (MCSPC) at the University of Maine, talked with News Center Maine about the Center’s summer program that supports 35 college students working as interns with state, county and municipal governments. The Bangor Daily News and the Penobscot Bay Pilot also reported on the internship program.

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Trostel on Maine Calling to talk about workforce challenges

Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center and UMaine School of Economics professor Philip Trostel was a panelist on Maine Public’s Maine Calling. Trostel was one of two experts who responded to questions about what is being done to address unemployment and labor shortages in Maine. Listen to the show on Maine Public’s website.  

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Summer internship available in municipal government

We have a summer internship available through the Maine Government Summer Internship Program. The position is assistant to the Town Manager and is located in Fayette, Maine. The internship involves research, writing, outreach and communication. The intern will work with the Town Manager on the Comprehensive Plan as well as special town projects and will […]

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Injury Prevention Grand Challenge Seed Grant Awardees announced

The University of Maine System Rural Health and Well-being Grand Challenge Initiative’s Injury Prevention Collaborative recently held a seed grant competition for UMS researchers. The program is coordinated by Marcella Sorg and Jamie Wren at the University of Maine Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center, with assistance from UMaine’s Office of Research Development. The UMS Injury […]

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Sorg’s Drug Overdose Data for February 2021 released

Attorney General Releases Drug Overdose Data for February 2021 March 25, 2021 Data will continue to be updated on a monthly basis AUGUSTA – The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and the Office of Chief Medical Examiner have released drug overdose data for February 2021, which draws attention to the continued devastation the opioid […]

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$3,500 scholarship opportunity for UMaine undergraduates

Apply now for the Margaret Chase Smith Public Affairs Scholarship In honor of Senator Margaret Chase Smith’s service to the citizens of Maine and the nation this scholarship provides assistance to undergraduates who have demonstrated an active interest in public affairs and who show promise for future leadership in, and contribution to, public affairs. Senator Smith’s […]

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Cathcart receives 2021 Minerva Award

Mary Cathcart, a senior policy associate at the University of Maine’s Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center, has received the 2021 Minerva Award. The Minerva award is presented annually by Maine NEW Leadership to recognize a Maine woman who exemplifies the values of the program, including leadership for the betterment of Maine; a commitment to civil […]

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