Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Super Pacs 2012, Joseph Miller

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

The 2010 Supreme Court ruling in the case of the Citizens United vs the Federal Election Commision dramatically changed how elections are financed in the United States. That landmark case let to the creation of Super Political Action Committees (Super PACs). These organizations have the ability to raise limitless amounts of money and spend thses funds however they see fit on candidtaes of their choosing.

This case study will test six hypotheses. These hypotheses deal with two major actions. The first action is the conduct of Super PACs and the manner in which they went about choosing races to involve …

A Vision For Berwick: A Case Study Of The Citizen Initiated Visioning Process For Downtown Redevelopment In Southern Maine, John Stoll

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

This Capstone follows the downtown redevelopment visioning process in Berwick from the initial presentation to Town Officials up until formal adoption as an addendum to the Comprehensive Plan. Berwick has a monumental task ahead of it as the Town looks to redevelop an 11 acre abandoned factory site that is located directly where a downtown should be. Residents of Berwick had to work with Town Staff to navigate a considerable amount of lingering controversy and to rebuild trust between the public and local government. Members of the Downtown Vision Committee worked tirelessly to reach out to the community through education …

Broadband Policy In Maine: The Efficacy Of The Current Approach And A Vision Of The Future, Ethan Wiley

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

Today in Maine anemic internet speeds reinforce a digital divide between rural and urban areas. Even where adequate connectivity is possible its adoption rate lags behind. In order to overcome this technical solutions are necessary such as streamlining access and building capacity. It will require additional incentives to bring levels to an ideal state as well as public enlightenment to the increasingly vital role that broadband performs. Until this happens the deficit that the state faces in access and adoption will continue to hamper progress in business, health, education and other arenas.

Maine State Retirement And The Unfunded Liability: A History Of Legislative Changes And Financial Trends 1991 – 2013, Christopher J. Hanks

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

Maine has seen membership in the Maine Retirement System fluctuate from 1991 to 2013 while members receiving benefits has increased year over year. In an article published in the Portland Press Herald on July 24, 2010 titled Maine’s Unfunded Pension Liability Looms as Election Issue, the unfunded liability is reported as having increased from $3.1 billion to $4.4 billion through the recent financial crisis beginning in 2008.

The unfunded liability exists because of insufficient historical general funding and increases in retirement benefits without increases in funding numerous times.

An Analysis Of Employment Policies And Their Effect On Work-Life Balance For Caregiving Parents Of Children With Special Needs, Sara Panella

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

This capstone addresses the work-­‐life conflict facing employed caregiver parents with special needs children by 1) identifying what employed parents of children with disabilities need from their employer in order to achieve a work-­‐life balance that improves economic security and emotional well-­‐being, and 2) evaluating how well policies address those needs. An investigation of work-­‐family conflict and stress among parents of special needs children is conducted by examining the current literature and conducting interviews with caregivers to explore their work-­‐life balance needs. Policy recommendations are provided, based on an analysis of public and workplace policies currently in use and policy …

Public Pensions And Debt In The State Of Maine, Ryan Knaus

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

Maine has taken important steps in recent years to reduce indebtedness and adequately fund their Public Employee Pension System (MainePERS), and is well-positioned relative to other U.S. states. The challenge for the State is to continue financing MainePERS and existing UALs with the same commitment, diligence and prudence.

Tax Increment Financing Trends In Southern Maine 2001-2011, Kevin Price

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is an economic development tool authorized for use in 49 states and the District of Columbia. TIFs are a very popular economic development tool that allow for a low-cost way to fund development projects. A TIF is designed to turn an undesirable or underdeveloped area into a developed, revenue generating area. The restrictions as to the exact types of property that quality for TIF vary from state to state, but they generally are used to target underdeveloped areas to encourage growth. Maine places several limitations on TIFs including acreage caps, a value cap, a municipal indebtedness …

Recommendations To The City Of South Portland, Related To Phase 2 Of The Energy Action Plan, Karen Purinton

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

South Portland’s Energy Action Plan (EAP) has not been updated since the completion and approval of the most recent South Portland Comprehensive Plan in October 2012. The current EAP has three phases, of which the first has been partially implemented, calling for energy and other resource conservation practices to be put in place in all City departments. Phase 2 is concerned with how the municipality can engage and incentivize businesses within the City to address energy use and efficiency, and is discussed in three sections below. Phase 3, yet to be drafted, will address residential opportunities for decreased energy use …

Managing Social Security Disability & Other Public Benefits: Development Of A Guide For Consumers And Providers, Stephanie L. Derochers

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

One in five Americans has a disability, making it the largest minority group in the U.S. (Soffer, McDonald, & Blanck, 2010). In 2011, 13.4 million working-aged adults received a disability cash benefit from the Social Security Administration (Kregel, 2012).

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is the federal agency responsible for managing, executing and overseeing retirement, survivor, old-age and disability benefits. There are over 1,500 Social Security offices and over 65,000 employees nationwide (SSA, 2013). SSA manages at least five disability benefit programs: Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Disabled Widow(er) Benefit (DWB), Childhood Disability Benefit (CDB), though …

Geotechnics And Regionalism: The Lineage Of Thought From John Wesley Powell To Benton Mackaye, Nikkilee Cataldo

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

John Wesley Powell and Benton MacKaye, each developed exceptionally comprehensive and innovative regional planning visions that had a great deal in common. They both were Jeffersonian idealists, who considered those who tilled the soil and worked the land for primary production a class of men above all the rest.

This paper will explore some of the fundamental theory behind the work of both Powell and MacKaye, as well as examples of the plans that they developed. It will become clear that the two men were working from very similar theoretical vantage points, though in relatively different socio-political eras. It will …

Opportunities For Munjoy Hill, Anne-Michelle Arless

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

Keeping the elderly in their own homes is challenging. A volunteer lead group of Munjoy Hill residents have united to form "circle of friends" to connect those within the community in need with those in the community who can offer a helping hand.

Evolution And Change In Civic Engagement Organizations: A Life-Cycle Analysis Of The Maine League Of Young Voters, Nathan J.R. Grant

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

The Maine League of Young Voters is an organization involved in educational and political civic engagement activities in the State of Maine. A membership base consisting of hundreds of grassroots members makes up the base of the organization. By studying the life cycle of the Maine League of Young Voters and comparing it to similar civic engagement organizations, the research here aims to increase the body of knowledge available about how these types of organizations evolve and change. Findings from surveys and interviews indicated that the organization was over-extending the membership, despite a strong grassroots network, and that more delegation …

Diversity And Motivations Among Volunteers In Nonprofit Youth Development Programs, Emily Thielmann

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

Portland, Maine, has a variety of programs that connect volunteers with youth based on particular risk factors. While there are many criteria that affect the outcomes programs yield for youth, the quality and reach of many of these small nonprofit programs is dependent on their volunteer capacity. The goals of this descriptive research project were to identify: nonprofit youth development program volunteer characteristics compared with local populations and volunteers nationally; motivations or benefits such volunteers associate with volunteering; and factors associated with volunteers’ overall satisfaction and longevity.

What Incarcerated Women At The Women’S Center Say They Need From The Criminal Justice System, Jillian Foley

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to give a voice to Maine’s incarcerated women and potentially influence the ongoing policy revision process in Maine. The researcher conducted 3 focus groups with 18 residents of the Women’s Center- a gender-responsive facility that houses about 70 to 80 incarcerated women at the Maine Correctional Facility in Windham, ME. The perspectives of the participants varied, however, the findings of the study were largely in line with the literature guidelines for gender-responsive policies and practices.

Studying Community Vitality & Revitalization: Synthesizing Case Study Research For Practical Application, Jennifer Curtis, Mariah Cunningham

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to advance our ability to assess efforts by municipalities to revitalize their downtowns and improve the community amenities and opportunities that constitute livability, which is a main factor in establishing community vitality. In order to-do this we will build upon the work of two previous capstone teams looking at community vitality and revitalization by working with the case studies of the previous teams to determine key indicators, identify missing indicators, and assess the validity and reliability of indicators for future case study use. This work represents the third phase of a larger project initiated …

A Social Marketing Approach To Forest Land Conservation, Joseph Anderson

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

Northern York County holds some of the most ecologically diverse forests and productive timberland in the State of Maine. It is also the boundary of the Wildland-Urban Interface which continually expands resulting in the conversation of forest land for non-forest uses such as development. Land use conversion is exacerbated by an increasing number of “new” owners with little knowledge of best forestry practices who hold smaller parcels which makes developing effective conservation programs difficult. In an effort to develop conservation objectives with the purpose of protect working forest land, the Southwestern Maine Forest Fragmentation Coalition elected to utilize the outreach …

Approaches To Capacity Building And Knowledge Sharing In The Hud Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program, Natalie Mcwilliams

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

This paper investigates the early response to the capacity building and knowledge sharing requirement as part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant (SCRPG) program. Drawing from the work of a subset of ten grantees across the United States, this analysis investigates the innovative ways planning organizations are working to fulfill this unique requirement. An overview of the grant program is discussed followed by a discussion of how the knowledge sharing requirement reflects the new regionalism movement. The approach of each of the example grantees is examined in terms of what activities …

Improving Nursing Home Patient Safety In Maine: A Review Of The Ahrq Patient Safety Culture Survey Implementation Process, Andrea Fenner-Koepp

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

An organization’s patient safety culture has a powerful influence on the behaviors, strategies, and clinical outcomes of healthcare organizations. The Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ) Patient Safety Culture Survey has been deemed an effective tool for assessing patient safety culture and driving improvement initiatives. There has been little done to assess the quality of patient safety culture in long-term care facilities and, specifically, Maine has not collectively established baseline measures of patient safety culture in nursing home. This capstone reviews the implementation process of the AHRQ Patient Safety Culture Survey in five rural nursing facility pilot sites.

Learnlocal| Place - Based Education Community Planning Meets Classroom Education, Holli Andrews

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

Partnerships between planners and high school teachers add a dynamic element to local planning. Youth who are engaged in community-driven efforts provide a fresh perspective for long-term objectives. They are not inhibited by the old ways of doing things. They exhibit ownership in the conditions of their community, and they show enthusiasm for becoming involved. Young people bring modern ideas to the planning table. Planner-teacher partnerships enhance opportunities for broad community development as well. By bringing local planning into classroom education, there is an opportunity to increase the level of participation through parents, family members, caregivers and youth groups. With …

Creating A Benefit Index For Targeting Investment In Pedestrian Connectivity Improvements East Bayside Neighborhood: Portland, Me, Damon Yakovleff

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

This project demonstrates how a GIS-based analysis of pedestrian accessibility to selected amenities from locations in and around the East Bayside neighborhood of Portland, Maine can help identify and guide decisions about public investment in improving such access. Two street network configurations are analyzed: the current (2011) condition, and a hypothetical configuration including several connectivity improvements currently under discussion or in the process of construction. The GIS tools are used to calculate the network distances between the centroid of the area’s census blocks and two amenities: the nearest full-service grocery store, and an outdoor fitness station available to the public. …

A Maine Guide For Developing Community Wind Projects, Rick Harbison

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

In recent decades, wind power has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sources of energy in the United States. By the end of 2011, 46,919 megawatts (MW) of wind power had been installed across the country.1 A number of factors have driven this growth, chief among them are: technological innovation, increasing public support for renewable energy, and state and federal policies that encourage wind development.

While the predominant model for wind development in the United States—and Maine—has been large-scale commercial wind farms, a small but growing sector of wind development, known as “community wind,” is beginning to gain a foothold. …

Case Studies In Community Vitality And Downtown Revitalization Phase Two: Refining Measurementt Approaches And Considerations, Krissy Mailman, Kim Monaghan - Derrig, Kyra Walker

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

This team reviewed the literature on community indicators, worked with the Portland team to determine qualities of good indicator systems, and then developed an extensive field interview and observation instrument. This instrument was then used to assess a variety of community attributes in case study sites. Our research expanded on the work of the case studies in community revitalization work. They considered the fiscal issues facing local governments and discuss how that may impact their current and future efforts to revitalize their community. Another element will measure the community’s level of public participation and communication. This will include ranking the …

Using Pen Source Data Inputs To Map Food Insecurity In Cumberland County, Maine, Daniel Wallace

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

In 2010, Mapping Food Insecurity’s Project Director (PD) participated in “The Campaign to Promote Food Security in Cumberland County, Maine.” The Campaign drew together a 60 member coalition to address rapidly increasing food insecurity challenges in the county. It produced a report with a series of recommendations grouped under six strategic community goals. One of the recommendations called for the use of ‘mapping and connectivity software to determine location of vulnerable populations and services in order to plan best future delivery and use of food access services in Cumberland County

Stakeholder Participation In Large Scale Complex Systems Modeling: Lessons From An Urbansim Users Community, Sandra H. Goff

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

Complex systems models for urban and regional simulation are increasingly being used as tools within decision-making processes underscoring the need to involve stakeholders in the modeling process. Stakeholder participation can serve both learning and community-building purposes, improving model legitimacy, saliency and accuracy and resolving conflicts over competing interests. However, the complex and highly technical nature of modeling activities has the potential to serve as an important barrier to stakeholder engagement. Members of an online UrbanSim user community were contacted in order to examine stakeholder participation in the development and implementation of UrbanSim models. For analysis purposes, a participation hierarchy was …

Municipal Stormwater Management In Northern New England: A Comparative Study Of Leading Programs, Doug Roncarati, Keisha Payson, Rod Melanson, Fred Dillon

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

To gain a better understanding of how regulated municipalities in northern New England are addressing current stormwater rules and anticipating future stormwater rules, detailed questionnaires were administered through interviews to eleven MS4 communities in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont during the winter of 2010 – 2011.

Trends In Maine Revenue, Jamie Brennan

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

The State of Maine faces a troubling financial situation. Per capita personal income levels have lagged behind the national average for years.1 It is no secret that Maine residents have been over burdened by the state’s revenue system for some time. Taxes regularly claim a larger portion of individual income than in other states around the nation. Since 1993, tax burden in Maine has ranked among the top ten in the nation in every year but one.2 Despite the heavy burden of the revenue system on Maine residents, the state faces regular budget shortfalls.

Financing Maine's State Employees And Teachers Retirement System: Comparative Trends And Progress, 1982 - 2010, Moargan Beschle, Eric Davis, Tim Feeley

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

Among the many tough choices states must make is how to address funding shortfalls in public employee pension systems. In public sector employment, pensions have long been a key component of the compensation system and an integral way to attract and retain talent in public service positions. The pension is considered a form of deferred compensation, which means that workers receive a salary lower than the going rate for their education, skills and job requirements in exchange for an enhanced retirement package (Bender & Heywood, 2010). State employees incur an opportunity cost by taking a lower-salaried state job over a …

Reinventing Maine's Corrections System: A Survey Of Budget Smart Alternatives To Unsustainable Spending, Griffin Jones

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

After the recent Great Recession of 2008, state budgets are facing increased scrutiny in every area of spending. States are increasingly turning to corrections spending, as one such area, to look for efficiencies and innovations that will help relieve fiscal stress, while also maintaining the strict judicial and safety standards expected by the public. However, state corrections systems are coming out of an imprisonment “binge” during what was often referred to as the “Tough on Crime” nineties, and without intervention in the form of smarter, more effective strategies, further uncontrolled growth in the corrections system will prove untenable to the …

Public Debt Management In The State Of Maine 1993 Through 2010, John B. Greenwood

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

An analysis of Maine's public debt position was undertaken in order to: 1) review the history of Maine's public debt position; 2) compare Maine's public debt position against the U.S. average; 3) determine whether Maine's public debt position has been doing progressively better, worse, or about the same; and 4) if possible, make immediate-future hypotheses about Maine's public debt position.

A Comparative Fiscal Analysis Of Scarborough, Maine, Maxwell K. Chikuta

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

This study seeks to assess Scarborough’s fiscal and budgetary position within a comparative framework, in an effort to assist the town in identifying fiscal trends, opportunities and potential policy pitfalls. This scope and content of the analysis requires the author to make sense of a complex set of community fiscal indicators and budget data.