The Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center launches Season 7 of their podcast Maine Policy Matters on January 21st

On the left is scenery split in half, with left side depicting a growing field and the right a dry field. On the right is the Maine Policy Patters podcast logo.

The Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center launches Season 7 of their podcast Maine Policy Matters on January 21st

The Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center at the University of Maine proudly announces the launch of Season 7 of its podcast Maine Policy Matters. Dedicated to making public policy information more accessible, the podcast serves policymakers, government officials, business and nonprofit leaders, and the general public. Maine Policy Matters continues to offer insightful panel discussions […]

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

S6E3 Harm Reduction: Compassionate Solutions to Maine’s Opioid Epidemic

In this episode, we interview Gordon Smith, Alex Rezk, Dr. Rachel Solotaroff, and Glenn Gordon on the opioid epidemic in Maine. Resources: Transcript [00:00:00] Dr. Rachel Solotaroff: As we have advanced our definitions of a substance use disorder, it’s an understanding that it’s a spectrum disease, right? It’s not black or white, it’s not good […]

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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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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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Shenna Bellows Headshot

S6E2 Behind the Ballot: Voting Integrity in Maine with Shenna Bellows

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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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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