Maine Policy Institute

Now that Maine has been ranked #51 by The Heritage Foundation for education freedom and academic transparency (includes District of Columbia), we decided to update our "Maine by the Numbers" graphic.

It doesn't have to be this way; better policy could mitigate these issues. As we say here, Maine has the potential to lead, not burn.

View the "Education Freedom Report Card" here: https://educationreportcard.heritage.org/pages/states/me

It's a curious thing: despite Tokyo's greater metro population of 33 million people, Maine Policy CEO Matt Gagnon never saw a single example of open-air drug abuse, homelessness, needles, or public disorder of any kind on a trip there earlier this month.

Portland Mayor Mark Dion made waves last week for publicly calling for a new approach in combatting the drug and crime problems in Portland. “The addicts have taken us hostage,” Dion said during the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce’s annual State of the City breakfast. “We need more accountability, period.” These comments from Dion are a common-sense reaction to the increasing disorder and decline of quality of life in his city, and change is desperately needed.

Contrast all of this with Matt's experience in Japan, which was in spite of visiting virtually every corner of the city on foot, on the subway system, and driving by car. That he didn't see an example of any of the aforementioned public disorder despite the magnitude of the city size and population is a remarkable achievement of Tokyo's, and it has no doubt happened because of policies that do not tolerate the lawlessness that the Portland City Council finds both routine and normal.

On this episode of the Pine Tree Pulse Podcast we discuss all of this, as well as Maine's governor's race and Representative Rachel Henderson's recently-proposed "Eliot Cutler Law."

Listen to the full episode on Substack or Spotify at the link in the comments.

Many may not be aware that Maine Policy Institute is an organization composed of multiple initiatives we've created over the years.

So who are we, exactly, and what does each of us do?

As you'll see, The Maine Wire, led by Editor-in-Chief Steve Robinson, is our news media project that began in 2011. It has now become a leading digital media outlet in Maine, with more than 225,000 followers on Facebook alone.

Maine Education Initiative, led by Representative Heidi Sampson, is designed to restore trust and academic excellence to Maine's public schools.

Maine Civic Action is the 501(c)(4) arm of Maine Policy. It is led by Executive Director Michael Quatrano.

Maine Policy Institute is led by CEO Matthew Gagnon. We work to expand individual liberty and economic freedom in Maine.

Collectively, we are united by an ethos that Mainers deserve to live in a state of excellence and prosperity.

To learn more, follow us on social media, visit our websites at the bottom of this image, and sign up on each website for regular updates on the work we do as champions for the people of Maine.

Ratesha and Keith Rosell would like to create a small wedding, event, and community recreation venue on a property near Webber Pond in Vassalboro.

Instead, they're learning just how much negativity and difficulty can come one’s way by trying to create a business and improve their community.

Rather than receiving cooperation and support for creating a new local business that intends to give back to the community, the Rosells have had to deal with neighborhood objections, uncertainty as to whether their plan abides with town ordinances, several discussions with the Planning Board, and extensive 19-point requested changes from both that board and the code enforcement officer.

All of this leaves the Rosells with hundreds of thousands of dollars on the line before they can even open their doors, demonstrating the magnitude of difficulty aspiring business owners often face in Maine's uniquely challenging business environment.

Read more at the link in the comments.

Today is a solemn day. Twenty-five years since the deadliest terror attacks in American history, we remember the incalculable suffering of that day, the souls that perished, and the brave heroes who courageously put their lives on the line to save others.

May this nation never forget September 11, 2001.

We will never forget.

Today, Thursday, September 10, marks one year since Turning Point USA founder and conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was assassinated in broad daylight in front of thousands of young college students.

He was 31 years old.

Just one month before Charlie's assassination, Maine Policy Institute’s sister organization Maine Civic Action hosted him for a speaking event in Old Orchard Beach. Charlie spoke on a variety of issues affecting Maine before moving on to a Q-and-A session with Steve Robinson, Editor-in-Chief of The Maine Wire, a project of Maine Policy Institute.

This would be one of the last public events of Charlie’s short life. While deeply saddening, we are profoundly grateful that Maine Civic Action had the honor of hosting him. Furthermore, we’re thankful that as a result, scores of Mainers — including young Mainers who greatly admired him — had the opportunity to see him speak.

To commemorate his life one year after his sudden and tragic death, we are sharing the video of the event here.

Watch the video at the link in the comments.

Calling all activists and volunteers! 📣

Want to get involved in your community and help turn out the vote in 2026? Join our sister organization Maine Civic Action this month for Get Out The Vote Strategy and Notary Ballot Chase trainings!

MCA is offering training opportunities in the Midcoast area, as well as Kennebec and Oxford counties.

Learn more and fill out the form to sign up for the training in your town at the link in the comments!