Public Policy Commons^™

Capstone Summary Report, Kayla Blais

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

Leadership is vital to the practice of public health. The following review of current literature delves into present understanding of leaders that the public health field needs. As leadership within public health is being explored, specific skills required of future leaders, different types of leaders, and the impacts we can expect to see are being defined.

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

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.

Slides: New England Forestry Foundation: Private Forests For The Public Good Since 1944, Frank Reed

Community-Owned Forests: Possibilities, Experiences, and Lessons Learned (June 16-19)

Presenter: Frank Reed, New England Forestry Foundation

9 slides

Slides: Changes In Timberland Ownership: The New Hampshire Experience, Paul Doscher

Community-Owned Forests: Possibilities, Experiences, and Lessons Learned (June 16-19)

Presenter: Paul Doscher, Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, Concord, NH

20 slides

Slides: Changes In Timberland Ownership, Peter R. Stein

Community-Owned Forests: Possibilities, Experiences, and Lessons Learned (June 16-19)

Presenter: Peter R. Stein, General Partner, The Lyme Timber Company, Hanover, NH

14 slides

Slides: Community Forest Project: Grand Lake Stream, Maine, Steve Keith

Community-Owned Forests: Possibilities, Experiences, and Lessons Learned (June 16-19)

Presenter: Steve Keith, Farm Cove Community Forest, Downeast, ME

62 slides

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 …

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

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

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

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 …