MHPC News
Action Alert from The Maine Heritage Policy Center: Our right to vote on school budgets under assault!
Date: January 22, 2010Author: MHPC
Our right to vote on school budgets under assault!
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Spreading New York's Bad Medicine
Date: December 10, 2009Author: Stephen T. Parente & Tarren Bragdon
This article, co-authored by MHPC's CEO, emphasizes that taking failed state-level health regulations coast-to-coast is a very bad idea!
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Three Strikes against Obamacare
Date: December 10, 2009Author: Paul Howard
Mr. Paul Howard of the Manhattan Institute addresses key concerns far beyond the issue of including a "Public Option" health program.
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New Obama Plans: 'spend our way out' of downturn
Date: December 8, 2009Author: Philip Elliott, Associated Press
President Obama is under the impression that the federal government can "spend our way out of this recession."
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Maine raises unemployment tax by $54 million
Date: December 1, 2009Author: Mal Leary
Maine's Tax on Employers to fund the Unemployment Insurance System will increase $54 million next month!
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The U.S. House of Presumptuous Meddlers
Date: November 11, 2009Author: John Stossel
KEY QUOTE: John Stossel on the House Health Care bill:
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GUEST COLUMN: Ending Maine's Tax-and-Spend Culture
Date: November 1, 2009Author: Stephen Bowen
In the BANGOR DAILY NEWS guest column, Stephen Bowen of MHPC describes the advantages of TABOR that will create a prosperous , sustainable economy.
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VIDEO: Maine's Dirigo "Public Option" Failure Featured on Sean Hannity
Date: October 23, 2009Author: Sean Hannity, Fox News
Tarren Bragdon, CEO of The Maine Heritage Policy Center, was included in this detailed Sean Hannity feature on Maine's failed Dirigo experiment.
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BallotPedia Interview with Tarren Bragdon
Date: October 22, 2009Author: BallotPedia.Org
This national news organization was in Maine to cover the fall issues, and spoke at length with Tarren Bragdon, CEO, The Maine Heritage Policy Center
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EDITORIAL: Question 4: The Time for TABOR
Date: October 18, 2009Author: Lewiston Sun Journal
The Lewiston Sun Journal endores Question 4: The Taxpayer Bill of Rights
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VIDEO CLIP: John Fund on "207"
Date: October 16, 2009Author: WCSH-TV
Mr. John Fund of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL was in Maine as the keynote speaker at MHPC's 2009 Freedom and Opportunity Luncheon.
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AUDIO CLIP: Excise Tax Debate on WGAN (Part Two)
Date: October 16, 2009Author: WGAN Radio
Question 2 Debate: Auto Excise Tax Reduction, Tarren Bragdon and Jeff Hermon on WGAN Radio
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AUDIO CLIP: Excise Tax Debate on WGAN (Part One)
Date: October 16, 2009Author: WGAN Radio
Question 2 Debate: Auto Excise Tax Reduction, Tarren Bragdon and Jeff Hermon on WGAN Radio
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Senate Finance Committee: Skating on Potomac River Ice in Middle of a "Snowe" Storm
Date: September 24, 2009Author: Tarren Bragdon
Senator Olympia Snowe demands that any health care reforms have a price tag attached before the Senate Finance Committee takes a vote. She demands a...
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AUDIO CLIP: "Welcome Back Tax" Interview with Arnie Clark
Date: September 21, 2009Author: WGAN Radio
The recent tax reforms created a "Welcome Back Tax" that impacts new residents, Maine natives coming home and non-resident taxpayers. This is not...
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Give Checkbook Back to Taxpayers
Date: September 20, 2009Author: Tarren Bragdon
This MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM guest column by Tarren Bragdon, CEO of The Maine Heritage Policy Center, makes a strong, brief case in favor of TABOR (the...
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AUDIO: Maine Public Radio Story on the "Welcome Back Tax"
Date: September 17, 2009Author: Josie Huang
Maine Public Radio addresses the "Welcome Back Tax" challenge to the recent tax reform law.
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VIDEO: Scott Moody on the "Welcome Back Tax"
Date: September 17, 2009Author: Scott Moody
Scott Moody, the chief economist at MHPC, reviews the negative impact on Maine business created by the "Welcome Back Tax." It will make Maine less...
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VIDEO: Troy Dennon on the "Welcome Back Tax"
Date: September 17, 2009Author: Troy Dennon
Mr. Troy Dennon speaks at the September 16, 2009 Press Conference about facing the "Welcome Back Tax" imposed on him by the recent tax reform law.
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VIDEO: Arnold Clark on the "Welcome Back Tax"
Date: September 17, 2009Author: Arnold Clark
Arnold Clark, Exq, director of the Center for Constitutional Law, addresses the challenge to the new tax reform law that creates a high "Welcome Back...
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VIDEO: Tarren Bragdon on the "Welcome Back Tax"
Date: September 17, 2009Author: Tarren Bragdon
Tarren Bragdon, CEO of The Maine Heritage Policy Center, addresses the "Welcome Back Tax" and introduces the constitutional challenge to Maine's tax...
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Group Questions Maine’s New Tax
Date: September 17, 2009Author: Clarke Canfield, Associated Press
The Maine Heritage Policy Center is questioning the constitutionality of the recent income tax changes. The "Welcome Back Tax" can cost more than...
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Time for TABOR
Date: September 10, 2009Author: Steve Bowen
Steve Bowen of The Maine Heritage Policy Center, has a VILLAGE SOUP column explaing the need for a Taxpayer Bill of Rights in Maine. TABOR was a...
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AUDIO CLIP: Martin Sheehan comments on the $8.5 million federal support for Dirigo
Date: September 4, 2009Author: Maine Public Radio
Maine has received an extra $8.5 million to fund short-term and temporary enrollments in Dirigo. The extra money for Maine's "public option" comes...
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AUDIO CLIP: Tarren Bragdon Comments on National Health Reform
Date: September 4, 2009Author: Maine Public Radio
DHHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius was in Maine to discuss health care reform with pre-selected groups of supporters. Tarren Bragdon of MHPC added...
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Dirigo Health - No Maine Miracle Cure
Date: August 25, 2009Author: The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal weighed in this week on Maine's Dirigo Health Program - drawing parallels between the failed plan and Obama's proposed health...
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VIDEO: Auto Excise Tax Cut Debate
Date: August 20, 2009Author: Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce
This is a debate between Martin Sheehan, director of communications with The Maine Heritage Policy Center, and Dana Lee, town manager of Poland,...
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VIDEO: TABOR Debate
Date: August 20, 2009Author: Andreoscoggin Chamber
TABOR II Debate, featuring Tarren Bragdon, chief executive officer of The Maine Heritage Policy Center and Kay Rand, former chief of staff for...
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The Public Option Goes Over
Date: August 18, 2009Author: The Wall Street Journal
The Public Option may be thrown over the side... but in name only! Government-run, "co-ops" would function in a similar manner, and offer the...
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VIDEO: Health Care Debate in Maine
Date: August 17, 2009Author: WCSH TV
WCSH News balanced coverage of Howard Dean's appearance on behalf of the controversial "Public Option" national health care takeover with comments...
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Take the Time and Get It Right
Date: July 28, 2009Author: Martin Sheehan
This guest column by communications director Martin Sheehan questions the artificial hurry-up deadlines for a government takeover of the health care...
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VIDEO: Portland Health Care Rally, July 18, 2009
Date: July 20, 2009Author: NECN.COM
While hundreds of union workers and professional demonstrators were bussed to Portland for this rally in favor of government-run health care; a...
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In Maine, Two Sides on Health Care Step Up Competition for Senators’ Votes
Date: July 5, 2009Author: Abby Goodnough
The national health care discussions can learn from Maine's mistakes with Dirigo and ill-advised "reforms." The "Crisis to Cure" presentation by...
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VIDEO: Michael Tanner on WCSH-TV
Date: June 22, 2009Author: WCSH-TV
Michael Tanner of the CATO Institute in Washington, D.C. joined Rob Caldwell for a discussion on health care reform. Mr. Tanner was in Maine to...
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Dirigo’s Lessons for National Health Care Reform
Date: June 12, 2009Author: Tarren Bragdon
As calls for a "Public Option" health plan, developed and offered by a new government agency, are discussed across America, policy makers have a...
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VIDEO: "Discussion" with Single-Payer Leader
Date: June 4, 2009Author: Sam Adolphsen
One of Maine's leading advocates for a government-run, "single-payer" socialized medical system is asked about the 800,000 Canadians waiting for...
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Names and Wages of Public Employees Should Stay Public
Date: April 19, 2009Author: Maine Sunday Telegram Editorial
The list of Maine editorials against LD 1353 is growing! The censorship of this important public information on www.MaineOpenGov.Org is a very bad...
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AUDIO CLIP - TABOR Review on WGAN Radio
Date: April 18, 2009Author: WGAN Radio
Communications Director Martin Sheehan was a guest on Inside Maine Satuday morning, discussing the new Taxpayer Bill of Rights and the attitudes of...
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Blocking the Sunshine
Date: April 18, 2009Author: Bangor Daily News Editorial
The BANGOR DAILY NEWS has written an excellent editorial regarding the misguided attempt (LD 1353) to censor the public data on www.MaineOpenGov.Org.
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Excise Tax Cut Appears Headed to Referendum
Date: April 8, 2009Author: Susan Cover
The Legislature, as expected, wants to Maine Voters to decide the this Excise tax-cutting proposal, which was authored by The Maine Heritage Policy...
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VIDEO: Rep. Brian Bolduc Testifies Supporting a Ban on Teacher Merit Pay
Date: April 7, 2009This video of Brian Boluc's testimony in support of his anti-merit-pay proposal is worth watching. His arguments for the "other side" of the...
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VIDEO: Stephen Bowen Testifies Against the Bill to Ban Teacher Merit Pay
Date: April 7, 2009Steve Bowen, director of the Center for Education Excellence at The Maine Heritage Policy Center, testifies against the Bolduc proposal to ban any...
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Bill on Merit Pay for Teachers Meets with Resistance
Date: April 7, 2009Author: Matthew Stone
Rep Brian Bolduc has a bill in the Maine Legislature that would prohibit any measureable evaluations of teacher performance anywhere in...
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Obama Asserts Gov't Control Over the Auto Industry
Date: March 30, 2009Author: Associated Press
This headline says it all. As advocates of the American free-market economy, this is very disturbing. What comes next?
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Wiscasset H.S. ramps up recruiting
Date: March 29, 2009Author: Matthew Stone
Wiscasset High School is recruiting students from neighboring towns to compete with private schools - an outstanding example of the upgrades possible...
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Administration Seeks Increase in Oversight of Executive Pay
Date: March 23, 2009Author: Stephen Labaton
His supporters cringed and shrugged and denied that Candidate Obama had "socialist" ambitions for America. Is there a similar groundswell of...
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Maine Heritage Policy Center Receives Sunshine Award
Date: March 17, 2009Author: Christopher Cousins
The Maine Freedom of Information Coalition has awarded The Maine Heritage Policy Center its annual Maine Sunshine Award for their development of the...
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Maine Seed Companies See Surge in Sales
Date: March 16, 2009Author: Associated Press
This is good news! Creative, resourceful Maine people are planting gardens for a number of reasons - including providing for themselves as personal...
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Teacher Pay Hits Center Stage
Date: March 15, 2009Author: Matthew Stone
There is a movement across America to change teacher pay to reward the best teachers. Rep Brian Bolduc of Auburn has a counter-productive bill that...
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Other states envy TABOR
Date: March 9, 2009Author: John Andrews
Seems that other states with budget problems wish they had a Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Colorado, which has TABOR in their Constitution, is fighting a...
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"Free Choice" Is Neither
Date: March 6, 2009Author: Tony Payne
This column by Tony Payne, Executive Director of the Alliance for Maine's Future, raises doubts about the oddly named "Employee Free Choice Act," and...
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Maine Public Higher Education Must Be Reconsidered
Date: March 4, 2009Author: Prof. George Jacobson
This guest column, by Professor Jacobson of the University of Maine, highlights the number of higher-ed campus facilities and duplicated course...
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VIDEO CLIP: Tarren Bragdon on Fox Morning News
Date: February 26, 2009Author: WLOB/Fox Morning News
Ray Richardson and Ted Talbot welcome Tarren Bragdon, chief executive officer of The Maine Heritage Policy Center, to discuss today's hottest policy...
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The Case for Cutting the Auto Excise Tax
Date: February 21, 2009Author: Martin Sheehan
Town officals across Maine are making "Sky-Is-Falling" arguments against the potential of Maine voters reducing the high Auto Excise Taxes. In...
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Opposing Stimulus Bill Would Have Been Better Course
Date: February 17, 2009Author: Steve Bowen
There are many reasons that opposing the recent "Stimulus" bill would benefit America today and in the future. Top reasons are that it applies very...
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Maine Parents United for School Choice
Date: February 17, 2009Author: Elisha Maldonado
This article mentions the efforts of Steve Bowen, direct of the Center for Education Excellence, in the School Choice movement in Maine.
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Cut Work Force to Bridge Budget Gap
Date: February 15, 2009Author: J. Scott Moody
J. Scott Moody, chief economist with The Maine Heritage Policy Center, writes about the excessive size of the Maine State workforce. He recommends a...
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VIDEO CLIP: Arnold Clark, Esq. on Fox Morning News
Date: February 12, 2009Author: WLOB / Fox Morning News
Ray Richardson and Ted Talbot welcome Arnie Clark to discuss the new Constitutional Law Center at The Maine Heritage Policy Center. He tells the...
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Government Shouldn’t Ignore Tough Financial Choices
Date: February 12, 2009Author: Martin Sheehan
This guest column in THE FORECASTER compares the hard decisions being made by business owners and managers across Maine with the relectance to make...
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VIDEO CLIP: Tarren Bragdon on WLOB / Fox Morning News
Date: February 6, 2009Author: WLOB / Fox Morning News
Tarren Bragdon talks with Ray Richardson and Ted Talbot about the national and state economic situations and some ideas for Fiscal Sanity. When...
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CBO: Obama stimulus harmful over long haul
Date: February 6, 2009Author: Stephen Dinan
The current attempt at a "Stimulus Package" will, in the opion of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, actually HURT the US economy in the...
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When State Needs Products or Services, It Should Check Yellow Pages
Date: February 5, 2009Author: Martin Sheehan
In this PORTLAND PRESS HERALD guest column, communications director Martin Sheehan highlights some very generous Stimulus Spending that Maine...
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Special Interests Pull Out Stops to Secure State Funds
Date: February 1, 2009Author: Earl W. Inman
This BANGOR DAILY NEWS guest column by Mr. Inman highlights the tired patterns of panic-filled, doomsday predictions and dire consequenses that are...
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Teacher Tenure System Faulted in Most States
Date: January 30, 2009Author: The Associated Press
The goal of rewarding excellent teachers and getting unmotivated teachers out of the profession is complicated by unions, bureaucracies, legislatures...
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Conservatives Criticize Cost of Government
Date: January 30, 2009Author: Susan Cover
This article was written by a reporter who attended the Augusta "Fiscal Sanity" presentation on Jan 29. Included for "balance" are comments from...
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This Land is My Land, Your Land is My Land...
Date: January 30, 2009Author: Roger Meiners
Many state laws allow private property to be forcibly sold, and it's much easier if the authorities define it as
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VIDEO CLIP: Martin Sheehan on Fox Morning News
Date: January 29, 2009Author: WLOB / Fox Morning News
Communications Director Martin Sheehan joins Ted Talbot and Ray Richardson to discuss Fiscal Sanity in Maine and the federal "recovery" act passed...
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Maine Gets "F" in Teacher Evaluations
Date: January 29, 2009Author: Giselle Goodman
Maine was among four other states and Washington, D.C. at the bottom of the list when it comes to evaluating teacher performance, according to The...
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The First Line of Defense
Date: January 26, 2009Mr. Clint Bolick, the director of the Goldwater Institute’s Center of Constitutional Litigation, has written a detailed guideline for challenging...
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Transition to Green
Date: January 26, 2009The incoming Obama Administration has a detailed series of plans regarding federal actions on land use, zoning, environmental laws, and other...
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Cutting Excise Tax: Could it Backfire?
Date: January 26, 2009Author: Kelley Bouchard
Those opposed to cutting the Auto Excise Tax argue that towns will shift burdens to property taxes or require drastic cuts in town...
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AUDIO CLIP: Economists Offer Alternatives to Governor's Cuts
Date: January 21, 2009Author: MPBN
Scott Moody of The Maine Heritage Policy Center was among several economists interviewed for alternative views on how to Balance Maine's budget.
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Reforming the U.S. Poverty Standard
Date: January 20, 2009Author: D. Sean Shurtleff
This piece from The National Center for Policy Analysis argues for changes to the way the US measures "poverty" - which is a standard by which people...
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Tracking the recession: Gambling revisited
Date: January 17, 2009Author: Stephen C. Fehr
This article includes Maine in the discussion of states' dependence on taxing gambling revenues. Maine may expand the Sunday hours for the Bangor...
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VIDEO CLIP: Fiscal Sanity Tour on WLOB/Fox Morning News
Date: January 15, 2009Steve Bowen visits with Ray and Ted on Fox Morning News to talk about the Fiscal Sanity Tour, beginning today at DiMillo's.
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Bill me now, bill me later
Date: January 14, 2009Author: VILLAGE SOUP Editors
This VILLAGE SOUP editorial points out an interesting proposal to limit the number of insignificant bills in the Legislature. At a time when there...
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Budgets of 40 State Programs Out of Balance
Date: January 14, 2009Author: Tarren Bragdon
Tarren Bragdon, chief executive officer of The Maine Heritage Policy Center, highlights Maine's Top 40 fastest-growing programs during the last five...
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AUDIO CLIP: Steve Bowen on WLOB/Fox Morning News
Date: January 12, 2009Author: WLOB/Fox Morning News
Steve Bowen, of The Maine Heritage Policy Center, calls Ray and Ted of WLOB/Fox Morning News to discuss his testimony before the state's...
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More data needed on state higher-education spending
Date: January 6, 2009Author: Stephen Bowen
Steve Bowen, director of the Center for Education Excellence at The Maine Heritage Policy Center writes: "It is worth asking: How much do...
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Budget Concerns Top a Long List of Issues Facing Legislature
Date: January 4, 2009Author: Matt Wickenheiser
This week, the Legislature begins to tackle TWO unbalanced budgets, and The Maine Heritage Policy Center kicks off two months of Fiscal Sanity! As...
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VIDEO CLIP: Denise McCourt on WCSH-TV's "207"
Date: December 27, 2008Ms. Denise McCourt of the American Petroleum Institute, in Portland to address the monthly Maine Prosperity Luncheon, sat down with Rob Caldwell to...
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Arrogant Conceit
Date: December 24, 2008Author: John Stossel
Excellent column by John Stossel, who was the keynote speaker at last fall's Freedom & Opportunity Luncheon in South Portland. Mr. Stossel's topic...
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VIDEO CLIP: Tarren Bragdon on Fox Morning News
Date: December 18, 2008Author: WLOB/Fos Morning News
Hosts Ray Richardson and Ted Talbot welcome The Maine Heritage Policy Center's CEO, Tarren Bragdon, to discuss budget and fiscal issues in Maine and...
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Postponing Reality At Detroit's Big Three
Date: December 18, 2008Author: Thomas Sowell
This is a good column, with this message: "Detroit and Michigan have followed classic liberal policies of treating businesses as prey, rather than...
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National Coalition to Promote Needs of Children
Date: December 17, 2008Author: Maine Things Considered
More spending "For The Children" is immune to question or criticism. Martin Sheehan, of The Maine Heritage Policy Center, counters by saying that...
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Baldacci budget axes 94 state jobs; 'difficult choices from bad options'
Date: December 17, 2008Author: Christopher Cousins
The revisions to the 2008-2009 fiscal year budget have closed the overspending gap by another $140 million with "minimal" impact on the services the...
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Healthcare Reform Debate is Underway
Date: December 17, 2008Author: Maine Public Radio
This MPBN piece is on plans for a government-run Insurance Option, in parallel competition with private-sector insurance plans. Martin Sheehan, of...
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A Picture Says A Thousand Words
Date: December 16, 2008No, I haven't read it... And it makes one wonder how many people actually have read this document - the United Auto Workers' contract with Ford...
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AUDIO CLIP: Denise McCourt on WLOB/Fox Morning News
Date: December 16, 2008Ms. Denise McCourt of the American Petroleum Institute, is speaking at the Maine Prosperity Luncheon this Thursday at DiMillo's. Ms. McCourt spoke...
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Just Released: 2008 Small Business Survival Index
Date: December 10, 2008Author: the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
We have our work cut out for us! In a thorough study of state-by-state business climates, Maine ranks #48 in factors that spell success for...
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It’s Time for Supply-Side Tax Cuts
Date: December 6, 2008Author: Lawrence Kudlow
Mr. Kudlow argues that Tax Cuts provide the real, lasting stimulus answers - instead of the bailouts proposed for a growing list of American...
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States' Big Health Plans Have Proved Costly
Date: December 2, 2008Author: Davinf Hogberg
Governors are seeking Bailouts to balance state budgets, with federal funds for pet projects like Dirigo. This article includes comments from Tarren...
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Guv Turns to Obama for Dirigo Aid
Date: December 2, 2008Author: Maine Biz
When Maine voters rejected (by a 2 to 1 margin) the late-night funding scheme to keep the Dirigo experiment afloat... where else can Gov. Baldacci...
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The Krugman Recipe for Depression
Date: November 29, 2008Author: Amity Shlaes
This column by Amity Shlaes advocates policies that will NOT prolong the current recession or, worse, loosen enough federal spending to create a true...
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The Wal-Mart Effect Updated
Date: November 26, 2008Author: Steven Malanga
The "Wal-Mart Effect" credits the price-cutting chain with helping to keep US inflation rates low during the 1990s. Now another look shows an even...
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Lone Star Lessons - What Texas and Florida can teach big spending states
Date: November 26, 2008Author: Leonard Gilroy
This outstanding article highlights creative, common-sense ways that some state prioritize spending and evaluate the impact of that spending via...
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Good, Bad News for State’s School Choice
Date: November 24, 2008Author: Stephen Bowen
This column, by Steve Bowen, director of the Center for Education Excellence at The Maine Heritage Policy Center, updates the status of School Choice...
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VIDEO CLIP: Tarren Bragdon on WLOB/Fox News
Date: November 13, 2008Ray Richardson and Ted Talbot of WLOB/Fox Morning News welcome Tarren Bragdon, CEO of The Maine Heritage Policy Center for a discussion of Maine...
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Deep Cuts Proposed at DHHS
Date: November 12, 2008Author: Mal Leary
Maine's budget is seriously out of balance, in great part due to overspending on Medicaid. The Maine Heritage Policy Center has produced numerous...
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Yes, Detroit Can Be Fixed
Date: November 7, 2008Author: Holman W. Jenkins, Jr
Government Bailouts, Taxpayer-Sponsored Mergers or Bankruptcy are the current "answers" to the problems of Detroit automakers. Here's a solution...
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VIDEO CLIP - Fox Morning News
Date: November 6, 2008Author: Fox 23 / WLOB
Tarren Bragdon, chief executive officer of The Maine Heritage Policy Center, joins hosts Ted Talbot and Ray Richardson to discuss election results...
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Next Year Starts Now
Date: November 4, 2008Author: Matthew Stone
New proposals to return economic freedom and long-term growth in Maine will be on the ballot next November - unless the new Maine Legislature passes...
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D.C. think tank poised to ride Obama's coattails
Date: October 31, 2008Author: Charles Babington
A large left-of-center Washington, D.C. think tank called The Center for American Progress, staffed with many former Clinton staffers, is poised to...
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Corporate Taxes Are Killing the U.S. Auto Industry
Date: October 31, 2008Author: Kevin A. Hassett
Corporate Income Taxes are so high in the U.S., that American automakers are on the verge of bankruptcy... and there are counter-productive plans to...
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VIDEO CLIP - Tarren Bragdon on Fox 23/WLOB
Date: October 30, 2008Tarren Bragdon meets with Ray Richardson and Ted Talbot to discuss Maine's top issues!
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Across-board budget cuts would look like this ...
Date: October 30, 2008Author: Christopher Cousins
Talk of a very large budget shortfall in Maine has people in Augusta experimenting with some options - including a REAL across-the board cuts. ...
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Hawaii's Hard Health Care Lesson
Date: October 27, 2008Author: Grace-Marie Turner
Hawaii started a "free" universal health care plan for children seven months ago. With budget shortfalls and the reality that this new program was...
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Lone Star Lessons
Date: October 26, 2008Author: Leonard Gilroy
Budget-Balancing Lessons from other states are highlighted here. Maine has the power to be so much better and so much more efficient with our tax...
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The High School Dropout's Economic Ripple Effect
Date: October 24, 2008Author: Gary Fields
Greater attention to reducing high school drop-out rates is a key to long-term economic development, economic stability, reduced government expenses...
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VIDEO CLIP - Fox Morning News
Date: October 23, 2008Author: WLOB/Fox Morning News
Martin Sheehan, communications director, discusses the first month of www.MaineOpenGov.Org and points out that Augusta is spending a million tax...
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Maine's on a Squirrel Hunt, but Bay State's Out for Trophy Game
Date: October 17, 2008Author: M.D. Harmon
This editorial endorses the Question #1 Tax repeal... and encourages Maine voters to hunt the bigger beast that threatens economic growth here - THE...
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VIDEO CLIP - Tarren Bragdon on WLOB/Fox Morning News
Date: October 16, 2008Ted Talbot and Pat LaMarche host Tarren Bragdon on the Morning News program, October 16, 2008.
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Insurance Costs Soar Beyond Wages
Date: October 16, 2008Author: Meg Haskell
Health Insurance costs have increased faster than Maine people's incomes... is the solution a return to free-market principles and competition OR...
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Legislature Should Set the Tone with Its Own Cuts
Date: October 15, 2008Author: Editorial
This PORTLAND PRESS HERALD Editorial cites ideas proposed by Steve Bowen of The Maine Heritage Policy Center as a good place to start when reducing...
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Less Money for Legislature
Date: October 13, 2008Author: Susan Cover
This MORNING SENTINEL article explores some different ways to reduce the state budget, including downsizing and shortening session in the Maine...
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Detailed Information on State Spending Now Available Online
Date: October 10, 2008Author: Tarren Bragdon
This PRESS HERALD guest column by Tarren Bragdon, chief executive officer of The Maine Heritage Policy Center introduces the MaineOpenGov.Org Web...
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Surgical Wait Times Down but Canadians Still Waiting More than 17 Weeks for Treatment
Date: October 9, 2008Author: Frasier Institute
While some politicians want to rush to a national or even a state-run single-payer health care system, Americans have the benefit of watching as...
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Baldacci Forecasts Bleak Economic Outlook
Date: October 6, 2008Author: Associated Press
Governor Baldacci points out that a projected budget gap of at least $500 million is due only to lower tax revenues, NOT to "outlandish state...
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How Government Stoked the Mania
Date: October 3, 2008Author: Russell Roberts
Like a Ponzi game or "pyramid sales" racket, the government's practice of pushing more people into mortgages they couldn't afford worked... for a...
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In Chicago, Private Firm Is to Run Midway Airport
Date: October 3, 2008Author: Susan Saulny
Chicago's Midway Airport will be operated by a private, for-profit firm instead of a government entity. They are one of five airports to participate...
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The Hidden Costs of Single Payer Health Insurance
Date: October 3, 2008Author: Frasier Institute
Speaking from experience, this research piece demonstrates how a single-payer, government-run health system is NOT the way to help more citizens...
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VIDEO CLIP - Grover Norquist on "207"
Date: October 2, 2008Author: WCSH-TV
Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform, was in Portland for a few meetings with The Maine Heritage Policy Center, and had time to...
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VIDEO CLIP - Steve Bowen on Teacher Pay
Date: September 25, 2008Author: WLOB / Fox Morning News
Steve Bowen, Director Center for Education Excellence, is interviewed by Ted Talbot and Ray Richardson on the impact Teacher incentives can have on...
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VIDEO CLIP - WGME-TV on MaineOpenGov.Org
Date: September 24, 2008Author: WGMT-TV
WGME-TV news story ran the first day MaineOpenGov.Org was available to the public.
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Web Site Tracks State Spending
Date: September 24, 2008Author: Abigail Curtis
The new MaineOpenGov.Org Web site is featured in this BANGOR DAILY NEWS article. The new web site makes it simple to review many State Spending...
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RADIO CLIP - MaineOpenGov.Org Story on MPBN
Date: September 24, 2008Author: A.J. Higgins, Maine Public Broadcasting
This detailed report includes interviews with lawmakers, a union official and Tarren Bragdon.
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VIDEO CLIP - MaineOpenGov.Org on Fox Morning News
Date: September 23, 2008Author: WLOB/Fox Morning News
Tarren Bragdon, chief executive officer of The Maine Heritage Policy Center, reviews the new MaineOpenGov.Org Web site with Ray Richardson and Ted...
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VIDEO CLIP - John Stossel Interview
Date: September 18, 2008Author: Ted Talbot, WLOB/Fox Morning News
Ted Talbot, of WLOB and Fox Morning News, interviews John Stossel, the keynote speaker at the successful 2008 Freedom and Opportunity Luncheon.
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Green Jobs
Date: September 10, 2008Author: John Stossel
John Stossel, keynote speaker at our 2008 Freedom and Opportunity Luncheon on September 17, has a fantastic column that addresses the timeworn...
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Labor Laws Face Government Interference
Date: September 4, 2008Author: Tarren Bragdon
It is ironic that the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) is about taking away the secret ballot that allows American adults to truly make a "Free...
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School Choice Should Be Preserved
Date: September 4, 2008Author: Steve Bowen
As communities large and small across America are beginning to choose school choice as a proven way to improve student performance, it is being...
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No One Running for School Board Seats
Date: September 4, 2008Serving on a School Board is often referred to as a "thankless job," and here is proof. Two of the three open seats on the Portland School Board...
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School Consolidation Picture Not as Rosy as State Paints
Date: September 3, 2008Author: Steve Bowen
Steve Bowen, the director of the Center for Education Excellence at The Maine Heritage Policy Center, clarifies that school districts are deep in the...
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Dirigo Falls Behind; Deficit Hits $20 million
Date: September 2, 2008Author: Victoria Wallack
The Maine Heritage Policy Center has been documenting the fact that Dirigo costs too much and offers very little benefit - and now it is even worse,...
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The 2001 and 2003 Tax Relief: The Benefit of Lower Tax Rates
Date: August 29, 2008Author: Robert Carroll
The Tax Foundation released a new report showing that lower marginal tax rates provide the free-market incentives that increase taxable incomes!
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We Need a National Market for Health Insurance
Date: August 28, 2008Author: Grace-Marie Turner
Here in Maine, we're fully aware that the DIRIGO experiment is a disaster. This article explores some policy ideas to cover the uninsured without...
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VIDEO CLIP - Aug 28 Bragdon on Fox Morning News
Date: August 28, 2008Author: WLOB / FOX23
Ray and Ted welcome Tarren Bragdon, CEO of The Maine Heritage Policy Center, for a discussion of timely Maine policy news.
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Insurance Superintendent Says She's Not Biased Toward Dirigo
Date: August 27, 2008Author: Victoria Wallack
A key reason The Maine Heritage Policy Center opposed the appointment of Ms. Mila Kofman as Insurance Superintendent was her support for the failed...
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Maine Residents Angered by Expansion of Dirigo Program Subsidy
Date: August 27, 2008Author: Krystle Russin
Maine's Dirigo Health makes national news again - and is being used by other states as an example of what NOT to do!
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Measure Adds New Hurdles to Tax-Hike Ideas
Date: August 27, 2008Author: Matthew Benson, Arizona Republic
Arizona voters will be considering a new measure to make sure a clear majority of Registered Voters is needed to increase taxes.
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MAINE WATCH - Maine's Tax Burden
Date: August 22, 2008Author: Maine Public Television
WATCH VIDEO NOW The "Maine Watch" episode features J. Scott Moody, chief economist at The Maine Heritage Policy Center.
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Tarren Bragdon on FOX 23
Date: August 21, 2008Author: WLOB Radio / Fox 23 TV
Ted Talbot and guest host Pat LaMarche welcome Tarren Bragdon to Fox Morning News for a lively discussion.
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State Eyes Bigger Bite of Food Inspection Fees
Date: August 20, 2008Author: Victoria Wallack
Not to be confused with higher taxes, this new revenue-generating scheme increases inspection fees on large, medium, small and tiny food producers in...
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The Idiocy of Energy Independence
Date: August 20, 2008Author: John Stossel
John Stossel, who will be the keynote speaker at our Freedom and Opportunity Luncheon on September 17th, questions whether true "energy independence"...
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Signatures Certified; Beverage Tax Repeal Headed for Ballot
Date: August 19, 2008Author: Victoria Wallack
Maine voters are pushing back against a state government that promised lower spending and lower taxes; but instead increased spending and raised...
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Tarren Bragdon Debates Ethan Strimling
Date: August 14, 2008Author: Fox Morning News
Tarren Bragdon discusses Maine's Tax Burden with Senator Ethan Strimling, and whether the Tax Foundation's revised ranking (from #2 to #15) means...
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Union Workers Recruited for Political Campaigns
Date: August 13, 2008Author: Victoria Wallack
Ads on the state employee union web site are seeking people to take a leave of absence from their state job to help elect candidates who "share their...
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Baldacci to Propose Income Tax Cut
Date: August 12, 2008Author: Mal Leary
This sounds like a good start. Promising. Better late than never. Good luck!
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Maine Vehicle Fees Going Up by $10
Date: August 11, 2008Author: Blethen News Services
Another day, another fee increase in Maine... (and be sure to rememeber that it's NOT a tax increase!)
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When Voters Control the Public Funds
Date: August 10, 2008Author: Bonnie Washuk
In this LEWISTON SUN JOURNAL article, Steve Bowen, director of education policy at The Maine Heritage Policy Center, comments on the school budgeting...
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Think Tank Comments on Maine’s “Lower” Tax Burden
Date: August 8, 2008Author: J. Scott Moody
The Maine Heritage Policy Center, a non-partisan group that advocates a return to free-market principles to build long-term prosperity in Maine,...
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Steve Bowen on Fox 23 Morning News
Date: August 7, 2008Steve Bowen talks with Ray Richardson and Ted Talbot on August 7, 2008.
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Baldacci Weighs Special Session to Heating Aid
Date: August 7, 2008Author: Matt Wickenheiser
Should the Legislature spend $40,000 (that's 9,050 gallons of heating oil) a day for a special session to allocate $10 million of the theoretical...
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FORBES: The Best States for Business
Date: August 6, 2008Author: Forbes Magazine
Maine "jumped" from #48 to #46 in this year's Business Climate rankings in FORBES. Following the tax and regulatory policies of states at the top...
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Obstruction on Plum Creek Proposal Was a Blunder
Date: August 6, 2008Author: Yvon Labbé and Tony Brinkley
Good column that questions the motives of those opposing the Plum Creek development. The course of 100% obstruction added years and millions of...
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The Tax Rebate Was a Flop.
Date: August 6, 2008Author: Martin Feldstein
The tax rebates to taxpayers and non-taxpayers alike did not have a huge impact on consumer spending. The promise of $1,000 checks to millions of...
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Despite Surplus, Maine Has Troubles Ahead
Date: August 1, 2008Author: Matt Wickenheiser
Maine actually finished the fiscal year with a tiny "surplus"? Well, it depends what you include in your checkbook - and when you write the checks! ...
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Tarren Bragdon and Steve Bowen on Fox 23 Morning News
Date: July 31, 2008Tarren Bragdon, CEO and Steve Bowen, Director of Education Policy, talk issues with Ray Richardson and Ted Talbot on July 31st.
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PolitickerME's Powerlist 2008
Date: July 29, 2008Author: Politcker Maine
The list of fifty Maine people with the most political influence has been released, and Tarren Bragdon, chief executive officer of The Maine Heritage...
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Food Stamps Help 177,966 Mainers
Date: July 28, 2008Author: Meg Haskell
This BANGOR DAILY NEWS article is a straightforward look at Food Stamps in Maine. If you read the article, be sure to scroll down and review the...
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$150M Dirigo Savings Questioned
Date: July 26, 2008Author: Seacoast Online
Whether Governor Baldacci’s new Superintendent of Insurance, Mila Kofman, accepts this figure in full, or cuts it in half or more... it is still a...
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Lottery, Liquor Sales Unhurt by Ailing Economy
Date: July 24, 2008Author: Victoria Wallack
Maine depends on these regressive taxes, which history shows do not tumble in tough economic times.
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Cape Budget Fails Again
Date: July 23, 2008Author: Meggan Clark
School planners thought the first budget was rejected for being “too low,” so they submitted a higher figure that was rejected for being “too high.” ...
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Pellet- Fueled Problem
Date: July 16, 2008Author: Lewiston Sun-Journal Editorial
The work of the state's wood-to-energy task force is compromised by its chairman's position as principal of a new wood pellet-furnace company. Les...
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Baldacci Promises Boatyard Help
Date: July 16, 2008Author: Noel K. Gallagher
EAST BOOTHBAY — Gov. John Baldacci toured the Washburn & Doughty boatyard on Tuesday, pledging assistance from the state to help the company and its...
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Signatures Turned In for Vote on Tax Repeal
Date: July 16, 2008Author: Associated Press
The Fed Up with Taxes coalition turned in more than 90,000 signatures to the secretary of state on Tuesday in its effort to force a statewide vote to...
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State Official Joins Health Care Reform Debate
Date: July 16, 2008Author: Meg Haskell
Trish Riley, the primary architect of Gov. John Baldacci’s embattled Dirigo Health Reform of 2003, was in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to deliver...
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Bottled up
Date: July 14, 2008Author: MaineBiz
With petitions in hand, business leaders and industry groups rail against the Legislature’s tax hike on soda, beer and wine
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Portland Teachers Taking the Right Path
Date: July 11, 2008Author: Stephen Bowen
This opinion piece from the PRESS HERALD highlights some of the positive aspects of the recent teacher contract changes in Portland, and adds some...
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Dirigo: A Costly Failure
Date: July 11, 2008Author: Ellworth American
This editorial from the ELLSWORTH AMERICAN highlights some reasech from The Maine Heritage Policy Center, and draws the same conclusion: Dirigo has...
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Back To The Future for Heating Maine?
Date: July 2, 2008Author: Victoria Wallack
The Governor's Wood-To-Energy task force will be recommending Bonds in unknown amounts to subsidize the cost of converting home heating equipment...
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Summer Report Will Address Winter Heating Needs
Date: July 2, 2008Author: Victoria Wallack
Both Democratic and Republican leaders and the governor’s office say it is too early to tell if a special session will be needed. Some speculate that...
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Court rejects Christian School Tuition Subsidy
Date: July 2, 2008Author: Bill Trotter
SWANS ISLAND, Maine - An appeal filed by a local couple hoping to get the town to pay for their children’s education at a Christian school in Trenton...
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Dire News From My Colleagues
Date: July 2, 2008Author: John Stossel
Mr. Stossel refutes the media's economic panic and shows that the U.S. is nowhere close to repeating The Great Depression. He quotes author Amity...
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NEA Doesn’t Represent All Teachers
Date: July 2, 2008Author: Lindsey Burke
At the convention this week, the NEA leadership will vote on dozens of resolutions declaring the agreed-upon view of the union. There will be...
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Maine's Rank in Technology Index Drops
Date: July 2, 2008Author: Mal Leary
AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine has dropped six places in the national State Technology and Science Index compiled by the Milliken Institute, a complex report...
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Broke Town Shuts Down
Date: July 1, 2008Author: Donna M. Perry
PHILLIPS - Town Manager Lynn White was busy laying-off employees Monday, including himself. The reason: Voters rejected exceeding the $256,076 tax...
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St. Albans: Tax Increase Unavoidable
Date: July 1, 2008Author: Sharon Kiley Mack
ST. ALBANS, Maine - Expressing their regret but adding that they had no choice, the St. Albans selectmen set the tax rate Monday morning at 16.5...
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Game On... DHHS to Fund After-School Program in County
Date: July 1, 2008Author: Ethan Andrews
The Department of Health and Human Services will open a new funding opportunity for Waldo County after-school programs, according to spokesman John...
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More Progressive All The Time
Date: July 1, 2008Author: The American Scene
Economic populists on the campaign trail often imply that the richest Americans are now shouldering less of the federal tax burden than they did in...
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Eliminating Tax Cuts Will Dampen Economy
Date: June 30, 2008Author: The Goldwater Institute
The 2003 tax cuts simplified income tax brackets and slightly lowered rates. Consequently, the income tax's penalty on work, investment and...
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Benefit of Beverage Tax? Health Coverage
Date: June 27, 2008Author: Elizabeth "Libby" Mitchell
"For 10 years, the Legislature has worked diligently to lower taxes — homestead exemptions, expanded circuit breaker, lowering sales tax, personal...
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School Mergers: A Slow March, with Deadlines Looming
Date: June 25, 2008Author: Victoria Wallack
Only two districts have officially reorganized since the state’s school consolidation law was passed a year ago, with most communities pushing off...
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Drink tax spurs intense action
Date: June 16, 2008Author: Paul Carrier, Portland Press Herald
Opponents of new state beverage taxes don't know yet whether they have enough support to submit their repeal effort to Maine voters on Nov. 4, but...
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A great divide? A look behind Maine's salary spread
Date: June 15, 2008Author: Kathryn Skelton, Sun Journal
"Present-day Maine, where the average person makes 76 cents for every $1 pulled in by a state worker. Only four other states in the country have a...
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Dirigo Health backup plan in place if new tax law repealed
Date: June 12, 2008Author: Victoria_Wallack, Times Record
The Dirigo Health Agency has set in motion a process that could allow it to collect up to $80 million in fees on health insurance sold to Maine...
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Lindell wins three-way House race - Republican faces Democrat Magnan in District 41
Date: June 11, 2008Author: Jane Andrews, Maine Coast Now
R. Kenneth Lindell signed a “Taxpayers Protection Pledge,” using a list from the Maine Heritage Policy Center research and education organization,...
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Petition Efforts May Crowd Polling Places
Date: June 7, 2008Author: Matthew Stone
This Tuesday voters will be asked to sign (or asked NOT to sign) a wide variety of petitions to put ballot questions before Maine voters.
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Augusta School Budget Vote on Tuesday
Date: June 7, 2008Author: Keith Edwards
AUGUSTA -- For the first time, Augusta residents will vote on their school budget Tuesday. Until this year, once the City Council voted to adopt the...
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Baldacci Sees Energy Crisis
Date: June 7, 2008Author: Associated Press
Governor Baldacci acknowledges that energy prices are high and that Maine people are struggling to pay the bills... yet he fails to acknowledge the...
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Cape Elizabeth to Vote on Increasing School Budget
Date: June 7, 2008Author: Josie Huang
Voters in Cape Elizabeth will be asked for an Up/Down vote on the school budget; plus another question in case the budget is rejected: did you oppose...
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Plum Creek gains at LURC meeting
Date: May 28, 2008Author: Keith Edwards
Please click link to read the full KENNEBEC JOURNAL article.http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/news/local/5099226.html
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Allen Proposes Universal Health Plan
Date: May 28, 2008Author: Tess Nacelewicz
In a campaign promise, Rep. Allen promises to provide free health coverage for all - paid by withdrawing from Iraq, taxing oil companies and other...
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Home Price Erosion Surges in Maine
Date: May 28, 2008Author: Matt Wickenheiser
The Maine Real Estate Information System Inc. reported Tuesday that the median price -- where half the houses sold for more and half for less -- fell...
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State Rejects Hospital Expansion Proposals
Date: May 28, 2008Author: AP wire story
A review unit in the state Department of Health and Human Services has recommended that the commissioner reject applications by Central Maine Medical...
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Plum Creek Revisions Panned
Date: May 23, 2008Author: Alan Crowell
Plum Creek. Another revision = more complaints from the environmentalists. At what point do investors simply decide to bypass Maine?
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Coalition Objects to Tax on Beverages
Date: May 23, 2008Author: Toni-Lynn Robbins
Who isn't Fed Up With Taxes? The way it was slipped through, on Tax Day, would never happen with a Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Until then, groups...
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4-day Week for Schools Rejected
Date: May 23, 2008Author: Mal Leary, Capitol News Service
AUGUSTA, Maine — Education Commissioner Susan Gendron said Thursday that several school districts have asked about a waiver to allow a four-day...
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Despite Surplus, State Officials Pessimistic
Date: May 23, 2008Author: AP Story
AUGUSTA — State finance officials say gains by better-off taxpayers and by energy companies enjoying the effects of high oil prices have buoyed Maine...
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Maine Gas Sales Start to Decline
Date: May 23, 2008Author: John Richardson
State officials worry that gasoline sales are down - but don't they want Maine drivers to conserve fuel?
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Maine Community Foundation turns 25
Date: May 22, 2008Author: Bangor Daily News
Today, MCF manages $245 million in more than 1,000 different funds and scholarships. The goal, says Henry Schmelzer, the foundation’s president, is...
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Virginia should take note of taxes in other states
Date: May 19, 2008Author: Stu Neal, Times Dispatch (VA)
do Maine, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Michigan have in common, besides being northern states? The correct answer? High taxes. In Maine,...
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Maine Employers Fight Health Plan Bailout
Date: May 12, 2008Author: Jerry Geisel, Business Insurance
The coalition, Fed Up With Taxes, comprises a dozen business trade groups and is leading a drive to put a proposal on the November ballot to repeal...
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Lawmakers reneged on vow to cut spending
Date: May 12, 2008Author: J. Scott Moody, Kennebec Journal op ed
The Taxpayer Bill of Rights was narrowly defeated in November 2006. It was on the ballot to allow voters to put a speed limit on the growth of state...
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School Budgets Now a Ballot Issue
Date: May 8, 2008Author: Victoria Wallack
AUGUSTA — Voters in all the state’s cities and towns are being asked to approve their local school budgets at the voting booth this year. Many...
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Ethanol has arrived
Date: May 8, 2008Author: Tux Turkel
Two years ago, Mike Perrino towed his 30-foot Pro-line boat from Maine to a fishing tournament in Massachusetts, topping off the gas tanks before...
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Gas tax plan: gimmick or boost?
Date: May 6, 2008Author: Mal Leary, Capitol News Service
AUGUSTA, Maine — Members of Maine’s congressional delegation and Gov. John Baldacci are split over whether suspending federal fuel taxes this summer...
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WINTHROP: Scrambling for school data
Date: May 6, 2008Author: Betty Adams
WINTHROP -- The school's anticipated expenditures for the 2008-09 year total almost $10.3 million, or about $400,000 above the current year.
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Coalition begins challenge to new taxes on soda, beer, wine
Date: May 5, 2008Author: AP
Several small-business owners have formally begun a campaign to repeal new taxes on soda, beer and wine. The Fed Up With Taxes coalition says the...
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Forum on Portland school budget Tuesday
Date: May 5, 2008Author: Portland Press Herald
There will be a public forum Tuesday on the proposed Portland school budget at the Portland Public Library.
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Health costs outpace wages
Date: April 29, 2008Author: Josie Huang, Blethen Maine Papers Dr.
Mainers saw the cost of health insurance grow faster than their incomes in recent years, though the disparity was less dramatic than for the nation...
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Loss of school choice a major concern
Date: March 24, 2008Author: Stephen Bowen, Bangor Daily News op ed
In an OpEd in the Bangor Daily News, parents detailed how district reorganization planners in SAD 38 are looking to eliminate school choice options...
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