August 30^th 2010 Update

By Chris Hall, PRC Senior VP, Government Relations

PRC speaks out:  Just below you can read the stories and analysis of Maine's dismal "Race to the Top" application - out of 36 states Maine finished 33^rd.  Needless to say we won't be getting any federal money to help reform our schools.  See State policy round-up: Education in the next section for all the details.

At least we got a good idea of what it will take to win federal support.  Now some, like the LSJ editors linked below, don't like the idea of federal interference in Maine school policy choices.  Others dislike the policies being pushed by the feds.  Still others are waiting for someone else (like the next Governor) to figure it all out for them.

Education reform - like tax reform - is in the eye of the beholder.  But what we can all do now, without waiting for the ‘right answer,' is get involved.  Sometimes that takes more than a single call, and surely it will take some of your time.  But getting in touch with local education leaders to discuss what you can do to improve educational experiences in your community, and sharing what you need from our educational system - that's a dialog that we don't have enough of.

If you like getting involved through organizations here are 3 that have real value:  The Maine Employers' Initiative provides support and recognition for companies that engage in adult education for their workers; the Maine Compact for Higher Education focuses business leader support on improving higher educational attainment in Maine; and the Maine Coalition for Excellence in Education's Prepare Maine campaign gives businesspeople a way to join in efforts to improve K-12 education across the state.

Waiting for the next Governor, or legislature, or Commissioner of Education to figure out what to do just wastes precious time - time better spent being involved now.

State policy round-up:  Governor Baldacci's last crop of appointees were confirmed last week by the State Senate - coverage in the PPH and on MPBN.  Meanwhile Tony Payne comments on too much legislation.  Elsewhere:

Ballot watch: State house legislative races aren't getting much press yet, but the BDN's Kevin Miller has a look at a potentially close outcome.  The results of a challenge to Maine's campaign finance law were mostly in favor of the law, not the challenge  - coverage in the PPH, the BDN and on MPBN.

Budget:  July revenues were $1.2 million less than expected - and forecasters are quite worried about the quality of the employment data they rely on to make budget forecasts.  Doug Rooks proposes reforming the state budget process.

Economic Development:  Professor Charles Colgan sees renewable energy as a key economic opportunity for Maine, but says oil must be more expensive to get there.  Amity Shales has a cautionary tale comparing economic growth in Maine versus New Hampshire.

Education:    Maine's application for federal education reform funding under the "Race to the Top" program finished a dismal 33^rd out of 36 applicants nationally.  Coverage in the PPH, analysis from Matt Stone at the KJ, and comment from the editors at the BDN, PPH and LSJ.  Nevertheless work on teacher performance pay and principal evaluation continue.  Good op-eds from Wes Bonney on the central importance of education to Maine's future prosperity, and from Eileen Skinner and Godfrey Wood on the critical impact of early childhood education. 

Energy: The Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting offered a 3-part in-depth series on the controversies surrounding wind farm development in Maine- Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.  The BDN editors commented, and ISO New England's chief urged a regional approach to wind.

Environmental:  A public hearing at the Board of Environmental Protection on a proposed ban on the chemical BPA got coverage in the PPH and on MPBN, and generated opposing op-ed's in the BDN from Jeff Stier (against the ban) and Beverly Paigen (for the ban).

Governor's Race watch: Today's BDN had an op-ed from Karl Turner posing a set of questions for all the candidates - it's the best thing I've seen this month regarding the race.  Of course there was also lots of coverage of a slow campaign August - for access to stories about who said what about who, and nice candidate profiles, visit the PPH's dedicated webpage, or MPBN's, or the BDN's.  And don't miss visiting each candidate's web pages - they're starting to roll out policy positions:  Cutler    LePage    Mitchell    Moody    Scott

Health Care: Steve Michaud, head of the Maine Hospital Association, details the continuing problem with the state not paying hospitals what they are owed.  The state has rolled out a webpage on federal health care reform.

Taxation:  Municipal officials are saying that state budget choices, combined with no state level tax increases, have created pressure to raise local property taxes - story in the KJ.

Transportation: The state highway budget faces a gap of over $700 million in the next 2 years - coverage in the KJ and on MPBN.  The PPH editors comment.

Upcoming event:  The Maine Compact for Higher Education is holding its 5^th annual Symposium on Higher Education on Tuesday September 28^th in Portland.  Once again the Portland Regional Chamber is a co-sponsor, and this year the program is highlighted by a gubernatorial forum on education policy.  Click here for more information about the meeting and here to register.

Around the Region:  Several items of note:  The Cumberland County Charter is ready to go to the voters in November; the region will be getting its share of federal jobs funding; Doug Rooks discusses regionalization, and Rep. Rob Hunt explains the benefits of Pine Tree Zone expansion in the region. Elsewhere:

Cape Elizabeth & South Portland:  In Cape Elizabeth the Council has set a public hearing for September 13^th on pay-per-bag trash disposal.  Longtime School Superintendent Alan Hawkins has set a date for his departure.

In South Portland the Council gave first approval to high school renovation plans - coverage in the Forecaster, the PPH and the Current.  Candidates for local offices are emerging.  The Current interviews School Superintendent Suzanne Godin.

Cumberland and Falmouth:  In Cumberland the Planning Board is considering a zoning change on Maine Street.

In Falmouth discussions over the right direction to take using town land have generated coverage in the Forecaster - see articles on 8-11 and 8-18. 

Portland:  The November ballot will have proposed Charter changes for voters to decide, including an elected mayor, which is getting broad support.  Elsewhere:

Non-citizen voting will also be on the ballot in November - coverage in the PPH, the Forecaster and on MPBN, and reaction here;

Waterfront zoning changes were covered in an overview from the NYT, a quiet public hearing, and changes to the proposals themselves.  The PPH editors commented on it all;

Candidates for local offices are now set;

Bids for the mega-berth came in low - coverage in the Forecaster and on MPBN; and

For the latest check out Chris O'Neil's Inside City Hall.  Chris serves as a consultant to the Portland Community Chamber, working closely with members and staff to represent the Chamber before Portland City officials.  Inside City Hall covers a host of Portland related issues.  It's something that everyone with an interest in Portland affairs will want to read.

Scarborough:  Proposed town charter amendments that would allow recall of Councilors were discussed by the Council.  Scarborough Downs is exploring a move to Biddeford - coverage in the Forecaster and the PPH.  Candidates are emerging for the Council and the Board of Education.

Westbrook:  Tonight the City Council will hold a public hearing on a proposed settlement between Pike Industries and Idexx Labs - coverage in the PPH, the Current and on MPBN.  Reaction to the agreement has been mixed - the PPH editors praised the deal, while George Rodrigues made the case against it. 

Want to speak out?   It's easy to do, and believe it or not, it can really work. Notice that all the legislative committees mentioned above are linked - just click on them and you'll get emails, phone numbers and everything you need to make your voice heard in the state house.  If you need help, just email me!

Links you can use to speak out:  If you want to know the what, when and where of the policy process, use these links:

Portland Regional Chamber policy resources

Regional municipal contact information

Regional state house delegation contact information

Feedback:  So what do you think?  We'd love to have your thoughts on anything you've read here, or on other topics that are important to you.  The more you talk to us, the better we'll represent your views.  Send an email if you'd like to share your feedback with me - and thank you!