Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center

09/07/2026

🌟 Happy Labor Day! 🇺🇸 Today we celebrate the hard work, dedication, and achievements of workers everywhere! 💪✨ Whether you're grilling with family, enjoying a well-deserved break, or reflecting on your journey, let's honor our collective efforts. 🎉🍔

In the spirit of the day, during your downtime you can enjoy a Maine Policy Matters episode about Maine's working waterfront!
https://ow.ly/cvxV50ZtqLX

On this episode, Bill Zoellick, Monique Coombs, and Jeremy Garielson join us for a panel discussion on Maine’s working waterfront. The panelists discuss the waterfront’s economic and cultural significance, on-foot access, preservation, community involvement, and much more. Resources Scuttlebutt ...

09/03/2026

Members of our Rural Drug and Alcohol Research Program played a significant role at Governor Mills' 8th Opioid Summit in Bangor this past July. We are pleased to recognize each team member's contributions to the summit. In this update, we highlight Eric Miller, who served as a panelist on 'OPTIONS: Planting Recovery Seeds, Harvesting Hope.' Eric Miller presented data on trends in engagement in the OPTIONS program, demographic information of individuals seeking connection to substance use disorder resources, and distribution of naloxone kits. The panel also featured discussions on success stories from individuals with lived experience of substance use disorder and the importance of community support.

08/31/2026

Today marks International Overdose Awareness Day. In recognition, we highlight an article published in the 2023 Maine Policy Review, titled "Are Maine Voters Ready for Drug Policy Reform? Findings from a Statewide Survey." The abstract notes that Maine is experiencing an unprecedented overdose crisis, prompting debate on effective policy responses to the increasing prevalence of substance use disorder. This article presents survey findings on the policy attitudes of Maine voters toward drug policy reform, including restructured drug laws, enhanced recovery pathways, and improved harm reduction and overdose prevention strategies. The results indicate that policy positions rooted in stigmatization and criminalization of substance use disorder are increasingly misaligned with public perspectives. Maine's distinct ideological landscape, the 2022 rejection of criminally focused policies, and the significant impact of substance use in the state underscore the need for bold policy reforms. 💖

Are Maine Voters Ready for Drug Policy Reform? Findings from a Statewide Survey Authors Robert Glover University of Maine - Main Author Karyn Sporer University of Maine Author Aran Wollard Author DOI: https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.53558/WDUD6355 Keywords: decriminalization, substance use disord...

08/27/2026

Members of our Rural Drug and Alcohol Research Program played a significant role at Governor Mills' 8th Opioid Summit in Bangor last month. We will be recognizing each team member's contributions to the summit. Research Associate Dominic Piacentini participated as a panelist on 'Aging and Addiction: Bringing Older Adults into the SUD Conversation.' The panel was organized by the Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future's Cabinet on Aging, established by Governor Mills in 2022 to support Maine residents in aging safely and affordably. Piacentini presented data on trends in fatal and nonfatal overdose rates and substance use disorder MaineCare claims among older Mainers. The panel featured additional experts who addressed ageism in healthcare, treatment access, and family dynamics.

08/25/2026

In recognition of National Financial Awareness Day, we are sharing one of our earliest Maine Policy Matters podcast episodes. This episode examines the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on businesses and provides key insights for listeners. Rob Brown, Director of Business Ownership Solutions at the Cooperative Development Institute in Northampton, Massachusetts, shares data and strategies relevant to business resilience. Business Ownership Solutions collaborates across the Northeast with business owners to assess the viability of cooperative conversions and supports employees and community members in implementing co-op transitions.

This episode of Maine Policy Matters explores the key to helping retirement-age business owners who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The episode offers data and strategies from Rob Brown, the director of Business Ownership Solutions at the Cooperative Development Institute based in North...

08/21/2026

Members of our Rural Drug and Alcohol Research Program played a significant role at Governor Mills' 8th Opioid Summit in Bangor last month. We will be recognizing each team member's contributions to the summit. First, we are featuring Dr. Marcella Sorg, who delivered an annual summary of data on 2025-26 drug overdose trends, including overdose responses and reversals by law enforcement personnel. This information has proven instrumental in informing resource allocation strategies within the state of Maine.

08/14/2026

It's National Financial Awareness Day. In recognition, let's revisit a Maine Policy Review article from 2016 on financial literacy education.
https://ow.ly/GIt550Ztp3n

Tying the Knot: The Importance of Financial Literacy Education in Maine Authors David Leach Author DOI: https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.53558/NOIA3713 Keywords: financial literacy, Maine, Downeaster Consumer Guides Abstract David Leach discusses the importance of financial literacy and describes....

08/13/2026

A data analysis report on drug activity and deaths from the MCSPC was cited by WABI. Team lead Marcella Sorg was also quoted in the news report.

City officials say fatal overdoses in Bangor have historically trended higher than the rest of the state.

08/11/2026

Maine Morning Star recently cited an article published in the Maine Policy Review on the growing maternity deserts expanding in the state as more rural hospitals continue to close birthing units.

A pregnant resident of Lincoln County, with the backing of a grassroots organizing group, filed a lawsuit against MaineHealth on Wednesday to prevent the closure of a labor and delivery unit at MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta. MaineHealth’s board of trustees is expected to vote on the...

08/06/2026

The Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center at the University of Maine, in collaboration with Eastern Maine Development Corporation, recently completed a transportation assessment for Penobscot and Piscataquis Counties. This report provides a comprehensive evaluation of transportation needs, travel behaviors, and emerging trends within the counties, and was recently reported on by the Piscataquis Observer.

The Transportation Assessment for Penobscot and Piscataquis Counties report was prepared by the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center at the University of Maine in partnership with Eastern Maine Development Corporation. The purpose of the report is to assess transportation needs, travel behaviors and e...