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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons™
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Articles 1 - 12 of 12
Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Impacts Of Pay-As-You-Throw And Other Residential Solid Waste Policy Options: Southern Maine 2007–2013, Travis Blackmer, George Criner
Impacts Of Pay-As-You-Throw And Other Residential Solid Waste Policy Options: Southern Maine 2007–2013, Travis Blackmer, George Criner
Maine Policy Review
Municipal solid waste management in the U.S. began a transformation in the 1980s as a result of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulation requiring the closure of municipal “dumps.” This legislation, coupled with increasing total and per capita waste, resulted in waste management receiving national attention. Maine and other states began broad efforts to reduce and wisely manage their municipal solid wastes. Many states established solid waste goals, with Maine targeting a waste diversion rate of 50 percent. Four common residential waste management programs in Maine include curbside trash collection, curbside recyclable collection, single-stream recycling, and pay-as-you-throw programs. This article …
The Impact Of Post-Recession State Revenue Reductions On Maine's Municipalities, Emily Shaw
The Impact Of Post-Recession State Revenue Reductions On Maine's Municipalities, Emily Shaw
Maine Policy Review
Maine municipalities have received substantially less revenue from the state over the past several years, due to a combination of financial pressures on state budgets and state administrative policy preferences. The result is that municipalities have been forced to restructure the provision and funding of local services through a combination of reducing spending in some categories, raising additional money from residents and other users of town services, or taking on additional municipal debt. However, on average, Maine’s municipalities have so far been unable to reduce their total spending. This discussion of municipal responses to reduced state revenue is based on …
Reinventing Maine Government: How Mainers Can Shape A Sustainable Government And A New Prosperity, Alan Caron, David Osborne
Reinventing Maine Government: How Mainers Can Shape A Sustainable Government And A New Prosperity, Alan Caron, David Osborne
Maine Policy Review
In this commentary the authors highlight the challenges Maine faces. They suggest areas where the state could spend less, based on national comparative figures. They discuss what they call the “three ticking time bombs” in the state: the aging workforce, unfunded pension liabilities, and escalating costs of healthcare, and review what they consider to be inefficient structures in government at all levels. They argue that new thinking and new approaches are needed, and make a number of recommendations for “reinventing government” in Maine.
Planners And Climate Change Action: An Approach For Communities, Samuel B. Merrill, Robert M. Sanford, Mark B. Lapping
Planners And Climate Change Action: An Approach For Communities, Samuel B. Merrill, Robert M. Sanford, Mark B. Lapping
Maine Policy Review
The authors discuss the role of planners in helping local communities prepare for the near-term effects of climate change, especially the impact of rising sea levels and increased storm severity.
Revitalizing Maine’S Service Centers, John Melrose
Revitalizing Maine’S Service Centers, John Melrose
Maine Policy Review
Maine’s 77 “service center” municipalities account for a large proportion of all the state’s consumer retail sales, jobs, services, and tax revenues from income, sales and property taxes, and are home to most of the state’s higher education and health care institutions. However, John Melrose points out that Maine’s public policy turns “worse than a blind eye” to these communities. He presents the policy recommendations put forth in a strategic plan by the Maine Service Centers Coalition for supporting and strengthening service centers. These include leveling the financial playing field between service centers and other communities; improving local government administration …
Solid Waste Management Options For Maine: The Economics Of Pay-By-The-Bag Systems, Stephanie Seguino, George Criner, Margarita Suarez
Solid Waste Management Options For Maine: The Economics Of Pay-By-The-Bag Systems, Stephanie Seguino, George Criner, Margarita Suarez
Maine Policy Review
State and federal environmental mandates during the last three decades have changed the nature of the debate over solid waste disposal, but not the basic question: What do we do about the garbage we produce? Unlike years past, however, disposal options are now fewer and more costly. This has resulted in a shift in focus away from solutions that simply try to deal with the output of the disposal process—the trash—to those that focus on inputs—reducing the volume of materials going into the waste stream. Among the volume reduction strategies are recycling, which focuses on specific input materials, and volume-based …
An Interview With Chip Morrison: Public Service As A Value, Chip Morrison
An Interview With Chip Morrison: Public Service As A Value, Chip Morrison
Maine Policy Review
Earlier this year, Charles "Chip" Morrison completed seven years of service in the administration of Maine Governor John McKernan, first as Commissioner of Administration and then as Commissioner of Labor. At a time when experience in government, whether in an appointive or elected capacity, is looked upon by many with a mixture of suspicion and disdain, Morrison preaches the sermon of government-as-service. In this interview, Morrison also talks about the values which have guided him in his public service career and touches upon a number of public policy issues with which he was involved as a department head.
Privatization As A Valid Alternative, Sawin Millett
Privatization As A Valid Alternative, Sawin Millett
Maine Policy Review
At the "Rethinking State Government" conference held at the University of Maine in January 1993, a panel explored the issue of privatization, of using private enterprise to provide public sector services. Sawin Millet provides the perspective of someone who has worked primarily in the public sector.
Move With Caution Toward Privatization, Cushman Anthony
Move With Caution Toward Privatization, Cushman Anthony
Maine Policy Review
At the "Rethinking State Government" conference held at the University of Maine in January 1993, a panel explored the issue of privatization, of using private enterprise to provide public sector services. Lawyer Cushman Anthony urges moving with caution to ensure that privatization is really the optimal approach.
Real Costs And True Potential, John Hanson
Real Costs And True Potential, John Hanson
Maine Policy Review
At the "Rethinking State Government" conference held at the University of Maine in January 1993, a panel explored the issue of privatization, of using private enterprise to provide public sector services. John Hanson raises concerns about possible drawbacks and consequences in the rush to privative, including self-interest, efficiency, accountability and decreased employment.
In Search Of A Strong Agenda: An Interview With Kenneth M. Curtis, Kenneth Curtis
In Search Of A Strong Agenda: An Interview With Kenneth M. Curtis, Kenneth Curtis
Maine Policy Review
In an interview this fall with Maine Policy Review, Kenneth Curtis, the former governor, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, and former U.S. ambassador to Canada, shared his insights into the civic and political life of Maine and the nation. Not surprisingly, Curtis, currently president of Maine Maritime Academy, argues that many attitudes about the ineffectiveness and the unresponsiveness of government could be overcome by strong leadership from the executives of federal and state governments. He asserts that federal and state chief executives need to offer a vision of the future, put forth strong political agendas, and then …
Resource Challenges To Municipal Growth Management, Dennis E. Gale
Resource Challenges To Municipal Growth Management, Dennis E. Gale
Maine Policy Review
For most of the era since 1960, when environmental policy and resource policy have been central public issues, the focus of public debates on those policies was at the federal and state levels. Now, more and more of the decisions and policies that will determine the quality of life for citizens are being made at the local level. Issues that have historically been local prerogatives are increasingly identified as crucial for effective environmental policy and for insuring "quality of life." Those local decisions are often constrained by a wide variety of state and federal policies on environmental policy and resource …