The Maine Heritage Policy Center announced Monday it is changing its name to Maine Policy Institute, effective today, March 11, 2020. The name change reflects the organization’s commitment to independent, nonpartisan policy analysis, educating Maine citizens about the impact of public policy and encouraging their participation in the policy making process.
“Maine Policy Institute will relentlessly pursue policies that protect the rights of Maine citizens and eliminate the roadblocks constructed by government that hinder the ability of hardworking families, business owners and entrepreneurs to achieve prosperity,” said Matthew Gagnon, Chief Executive Officer of Maine Policy Institute.
Under its new name, Maine Policy Institute will focus its efforts on conducting detailed and timely research and analysis that informs the public and arms lawmakers with the data and information they need to support and advance policies that expand economic freedom and individual liberty in Maine.
“Under our new name of Maine Policy Institute, we will continue to build on this legacy and work on behalf of Maine people to make our state what it should be: a place where individuals and families can thrive, pursue their dreams and achieve prosperity without being held back by an overbearing government,”Gagnon wrote in a letter to supporters earlier this week.
He also said the new name best reflects the primary idea and focus of the organization of developing, analyzing, researching and advocating for policies that grow individual liberty and economic freedom, and will build out a robust infrastructure of free-market ideas that move Maine forward.
During its 17 years of serving the citizens of Maine by advancing public policies that promote sound fiscal management and limited, transparent and constitutional government, the organization has played a pivotal role in enacting public policies that have improved the lives of Maine students, families and businesses.
This includes the largest tax cut in state history, historic welfare reforms that led to higher rates of employment, public-sector pension reform that saved taxpayers more than $1 billion, financial transparency, including “sunshine” on the pay and perks of government employees, pro-market health insurance reforms that reduced premiums for Mainers and charter school legislation that expanded educational opportunity.
In recent years, the organization successfully ushered legislation through the Maine Legislature that enabled the Direct Primary Care industry to operate in Maine, restoring the doctor-patient relationship, established Right to Shop, injecting competition in the healthcare marketplace to reduce costs for consumers, and required public hearings on direct initiatives of legislation, improving transparency in the ballot initiative process.
“We are confident this name change will enable our organization to grow, reach new audiences and have a greater impact on the lives of Maine people,” said Scott Wellman, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Maine Policy Institute.
The Maine Wire is a project of Maine Policy Institute. Learn more at www.mainepolicy.org