Jacob Posik

Jacob Posik, of Turner, is the director of communications at Maine Policy Institute and the editor of The Maine Wire. He formerly served as a policy analyst at Maine Policy. Posik can be reached at jposik@mainepolicy.org.

Election Center

Maine’s high court rules RCV must be used in presidential election

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled Tuesday that ranked-choice voting must be used...
Education

Maine school choice lawsuit replicated in New Hampshire, Vermont

A pair of lawsuits that mirror a Maine-based legal challenge (currently pending in...
Labor

How will Maine’s struggling small businesses survive the next unfunded mandate?

The National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) issued a press release Monday raising...
Coronavirus

Shutdown Stories: Aquaboggan

Aquaboggan in Saco was forced to close in late August after receiving a...
Education

Mills administration and MPA conclude football, volleyball cannot be played this fall

Bowing to pressure from the Mills administration, the Maine Principals’ Association announced Thursday...
Inside Augusta

Governor Mills moves the goalposts on high school sports

After telling the public that the Maine Principals’ Association (MPA) would have the...
Election Center

SoS Dunlap asks Maine’s high court to strike RCV people’s veto from November ballot

Secretary of State Matt Dunlap is challenging a decision issued last week by...
In Depth

How will the University of Maine System enforce its new social distancing rules?

Do you remember this spring when we were told to stay home to...
Education

Mills administration appears destined to halt high school sports this fall

The Maine Principals’ Association’s (MPA) Interscholastic Management Committee voted unanimously on Thursday to...
In Depth

Survey shows 1 in 5 small businesses will close soon if economic conditions do not improve

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) released a new survey Monday of...
Election Center

Court overturns SoS Dunlap’s decision to keep RCV veto off November ballot

A judge ruled late Monday that the Maine Republican Party collected enough valid...
Coronavirus

Gov. Mills’ business relief package too little, too late for many small businesses

Maine Gov. Janet Mills announced Thursday the creation of a new small business...
Education

USM president’s BLM statement and ‘antiracism pledge’ troubling for many reasons

Last week, Reason covered a story about the new “Black Lives Matter Statement...
Coronavirus

The effects of Maine’s economic, societal shutdown from COVID-19

Maine Policy Institute today released a new report that sheds light on the...
Election Center

Secretary of State misses 13,000 ballots in initial July primary RCV tabulation

Maine’s ranked-choice voting woes continue. Secretary of State Matt Dunlap announced Monday his...
Election Center

New lawsuit seeks to end the use of ranked-choice voting in Maine

Four Maine citizens filed a lawsuit late last week against Secretary of State...
Election Center

New nationwide campaign to educate voters on pitfalls of ranked-choice voting

A coalition of state-based think tanks launched a new nationwide campaign Friday to...
Coronavirus

Shutdown Stories: Maine Indoor Karting

In November 2003, Maine Indoor Karting (MIK) opened its doors, becoming the first...
Coronavirus

Governor Mills and selective science

This piece was originally published in the Portland Press Herald Businesses throughout Maine...
Inside Augusta

Maine Senate Republicans ask the presiding officers to convene the Legislative Council

The leaders of the minority Republicans in the Maine Senate on Wednesday sent...
Coronavirus

Shutdown Stories: Yankee Lanes

On March 17, Nelson Moody, owner of Yankee Lanes bowling alley in Brunswick,...
Coronavirus

Bipartisan pair of lawmakers call for a more expansive rural reopening

A bipartisan pair of lawmakers representing rural towns in Androscoggin and Cumberland counties...
Coronavirus

Shutdown Stories: Live Well Farm

Patty and Scott Ruppert own Live Well Farm, a destination wedding venue in...
Inside Augusta

New legislative proposal would curb emergency powers of Maine’s chief executive

In a press statement released late Monday afternoon, House Minority Leader Rep. Kathleen...
Daily Catch

Tourism and hospitality groups urge Gov. Mills to nix quarantine restriction, reopen Maine’s economy

Seven groups representing different facets of Maine’s tourism and hospitality industry sent an...
Inside Augusta

Gov. Mills announces changes to her plan to reopen Maine

Governor Janet Mills announced changes to her plan to reopen Maine’s economy Friday...
Inside Augusta

For how long will Maine be under a civil state of emergency?

On March 15, Maine Governor Janet Mills declared a civil state of emergency enabling her...
Inside Augusta

Governor Mills signals changes are coming to her plan to reopen Maine’s economy

Governor Janet Mills alluded to forthcoming changes to her plan to reopen Maine’s...
Commentary

Gov. Mills’ multi-phase ‘recovery’ plan is a blueprint for a prolonged economic depression

Governor Mills unveiled her multi-phase plan for slowly reopening the Maine economy on...
Daily Catch

Auburn mayor Jason Levesque asks Gov. Mills to lift statewide stay at home order

Auburn Mayor Jason Levesque sent Maine Governor Janet Mills a letter Tuesday requesting...
Daily Catch

A plan for reopening Maine’s economy

Maine Policy Institute on Monday sent to Governor Janet Mills a list of...
Fiscal

Frivolous spending leaves Maine ill-equipped to weather economic slowdown

Unnecessary spending in Governor Janet Mills’ biennial budget, approved by Maine lawmakers in...
Election Center

Lawsuit aims to halt people’s veto effort to repeal ranked-choice voting in presidential elections

The Committee on Ranked Choice Voting, one of the primary proponents of the...
Inside Augusta

Governor Mills issues order to stop evictions, foreclosures during coronavirus shutdown

Maine Governor Janet Mills signed an executive order Thursday that effectively prevents the...
Daily Catch

Four new deaths, 770 confirmed cases of coronavirus statewide

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting Wednesday an additional...
Daily Catch

Governor Mills extends Maine’s civil emergency order to May 15

Governor Janet Mills announced Tuesday she signed a proclamation extending until May 15...
News

Sharp increase in Maine coronavirus cases attributed to outbreaks at long-term care facilities

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting 698 confirmed cases...
Daily Catch

One new coronavirus death reported in Maine as number of confirmed cases grows to 586

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting 586 confirmed cases...
Daily Catch

Maine CDC reports two more COVID-19 deaths, 560 confirmed cases statewide

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 reached 560 and two more Mainers...
Daily Catch

COVID-19 claims two more lives, 537 confirmed infections statewide

Two more Mainers passed away overnight as a result of COVID-19 according to...
Inside Augusta

Gov. Mills announces plan to open two alternative care sites, floats postponement of June primary election

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Maine grew by 20 overnight to...
Healthcare

Nearly 500 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Maine

The number of coronavirus vases in Maine has grown to 499 according to...
Daily Catch

Two more Mainers die as number of coronavirus cases reaches 344

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Maine jumped by 41 overnight to...
Daily Catch

Governor Mills issues statewide ‘stay at home’ order

Governor Janet Mills issued a stay at home order for the State of...
Daily Catch

‘Uncertainty may be the new norm’ in Maine as confirmed cases of coronavirus jumps to 303

The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Maine has jumped to 303...
Healthcare

Coronavirus spreads to 12 of 16 Maine counties, 275 confirmed cases statewide

Maine recorded its second and third deaths caused by the coronavirus over the...
Daily Catch

Maine vehicle inspection expirations extended for the duration of state of emergency

Governor Janet Mills issued an executive order last week that indefinitely extends expiration...
Inside Augusta

Governor Mills extends state tax filing deadline, deems firearm retailers ‘non-essential’ businesses

Governor Janet Mills announced Thursday she is extending the state of Maine’s income...
Healthcare

Governor Mills takes emergency action on medical licensing, telehealth

Governor Janet Mills issued an executive order today that eases occupational licensing rules...
Inside Augusta

Gov. Mills issues new mandate for nonessential businesses to close for two weeks

Maine Governor Janet Mills and Dr. Nirav Shah, director of the Maine Center...
Healthcare

Maine’s certificate of need law could hinder the state’s COVID-19 response efforts

As policymakers and public health officials at the local, state and federal levels...
Daily Catch

Letter offers recommendations to assist Governor Mills in Maine’s COVID-19 response efforts

Maine Policy Institute sent a letter to Governor Janet Mills today thanking her...
Inside Augusta

Maine Legislature acts on COVID-19, gives Gov. Mills broad authority to respond

The Maine Legislature adjourned Tuesday evening after a marathon session where the body...
Welfare

Early adjournment could stop bill seeking to expand welfare eligibility

The announcement of an early conclusion to Maine’s legislative session amid public health...
Inside Augusta

Maine Legislature to adjourn Tuesday due to coronavirus

The Maine Legislature will prematurely adjourn Tuesday in response to the coronavirus, Maine’s...
Taxes

The left is making big push to raise taxes on hardworking Mainers

Maine Rep. Benjamin Collings of Portland held a press conference last week to...
News

The Maine Heritage Policy Center changes name to Maine Policy Institute

The Maine Heritage Policy Center announced Monday it is changing its name to...
Election Center

Portland tries to prevent signature gathering for RCV veto on Super Tuesday

The City of Portland – Maine’s most liberal municipality – tried to prevent...
Inside Augusta

Proposed bill would boost salaries of Maine’s governor, lawmakers and judges

Lawmakers on Maine’s State and Local Government Committee held a public hearing Monday...
Labor

Proposed bill would fleece taxpayers to please public unions

Lawmakers on Maine’s Labor and Housing Committee will hold work a work session...
Inside Augusta

Focus shifts to Governor Mills on TCI gas tax

The pressure is on Janet Mills as the public comment period on the...
Inside Augusta

Lawmakers exploring a $23 million ‘pack tax’

On Wednesday, lawmakers on Maine’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee held a public...
Taxes

Lawmakers looking to nickel and dime Mainers with a local option sales tax

Lawmakers on Maine’s Taxation Committee will hold a work session Thursday to debate...
Inside Augusta

Lawmakers wasting time on cage-free egg bill

Maine has a $232 million annual transportation funding shortfall. Nursing homes that care...
Inside Augusta

Whoops, we forgot to fix the roads

A little over one year into her tenure as governor, Janet Mills is...
Taxes

Maine wants to tax your streaming subscription

Lawmakers on Maine’s Taxation Committee will hold a work session Tuesday to debate...
Energy Policy

Clean energy bill would replicate Blaine House solar project blunder

This session, lawmakers on Maine’s Energy, Utility and Technology Committee is considering LD...
Election Center

Bill establishing automatic, continuous absentee voter status reeks of fraud

Lawmakers on Maine’s Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee held a public hearing Wednesday...
Election Center

Ranked-choice voting in Alaska: RCV fails to deliver on its promises to voters

This op-ed was originally published in the Anchorage Daily News on February 9, 2020. In...
Education

Maine unions want to set education policy at your school

Who should be in charge of local education policy? Should it be parents...
Labor

Briefs filed in Maine workplace freedom case

Twenty-two public policy organizations filed amicus briefs last week urging the U.S. Supreme...
Biennial Budget

After massive spending increase in biennial budget, Governor Mills wants more

Governor Janet Mills released a supplemental budget proposal Monday that calls for $127...
Inside Augusta

Gov. Mills attempts to appease critics, stretches the truth in first State of the State address

Maine Gov. Janet Mills delivered her first State of the State address Tuesday...
Daily Catch

Governors, elected officials across New England lining up to oppose the TCI

The Transportation and Climate Initiative, a regional coalition of 12 states and Washington...
Labor

Maine professor suing faculty union appeals his case to the Supreme Court

Jonathan Reisman, an associate professor of economics and public policy at the University...
Taxes

TCI policy design would punish Mainers with new gas tax

The Transportation and Climate Initiative on Tuesday released a draft Memorandum of Understanding...
Healthcare

Plan for universal health care in Maine calls for massive tax increases

The 129th Maine Legislature’s Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee met Monday...
Commentary

Like others that preceded it, Governor Mills’ economic plan will be a bust

Governor Mills on Wednesday released her 10-year economic development plan for Maine, the...
Inside Augusta

Lawmakers approve more fake emergencies for consideration in upcoming session

Maine’s Legislative Council convened last Friday to consider appeals made by lawmakers regarding...
Inside Augusta

Leg Council rejects crucial workforce development bill, denies public employees their First Amendment rights

The majority members of Maine’s Legislative Council voted Friday to kill along party...
Taxes

A local option sales tax would not help the average Maine town or taxpayer

The Maine Heritage Policy Center on Monday released a new policy brief, “A...
Education

Briefs submitted in Maine school choice lawsuit

The Maine Heritage Policy Center and EdChoice recently filed an amicus brief in Carson...
Commentary

Is a remedy for tiny homes on the horizon?

Last week, Maine’s Legislative Council admitted a bill into the second session that...
Inside Augusta

Leg Council rejects universal recognition, undermines public employees’ First Amendment rights

The Legislative Council on Wednesday met to vote on nearly 400 bills submitted...
Inside Augusta

Legislative Council approves dozens of non-emergencies

The Legislative Council convened Wednesday to consider roughly 400 bill requests submitted by...
Inside Augusta

Here are some of the ’emergencies’ lawmakers want to debate in the Second Session

It is everyone’s favorite time of the legislative cycle – preparing for the...
Inside Augusta

People’s Veto effort to repeal vaccine mandate qualifies for March 2020 ballot

Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap confirmed Thursday his office had certified the...
News

The Maine Wire is migrating to a new email delivery service

On October 31, 2019, The Maine Wire will transition to a new email...
Inside Augusta

After years of resistance, Maine is rolling out new rules for autocycles

Hundreds of new Maine laws will take effect later this week. Among them...
Daily Catch

Governor Mills lets RCV for presidential elections become law without her signature

Maine Governor Janet Mills decided Friday to let LD 1083, “An Act To...
Inside Augusta

Friday is the deadline for Governor Mills’ decision on LD 1083

Governor Janet Mills has until the end of the day Friday to decide...
Inside Augusta

Lawmakers reject 3 of 4 bonds, approve RCV for presidential elections during special session

Lawmakers returned to Augusta on Monday to debate several bonds proposed by Governor...
Election Center

Does ranked-choice voting live up to its promises?

The Maine Heritage Policy Center today released its newest report, “A False Majority:...
Citizens' Initiative

More victories for ballot initiative transparency

Governor Janet Mills on Thursday, June 20 signed into law LD 534, sponsored...
Inside Augusta

Bill to adopt national popular vote compact fails in Maine House

The Maine House voted to reject a bill Thursday that would bind the...
Citizens' Initiative

Governor Mills signs bill to increase transparency in ballot initiative process

Governor Janet Mills yesterday signed LD 1209, “An Act To Require Legislative Hearings...
Citizens' Initiative

Progressive groups seek to solidify their referendum racket

Lawmakers on Maine’s Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee today will consider a bill...
Inside Augusta

How to submit testimony via the Legislature’s new online system

Background The Legislature has developed a new automated tool for submitting electronic testimony....
Inside Augusta

Mainers have been so active this session, the legislature has new procedures for submitting testimony

It’s true – citizens have been so active this session that the Maine...
Labor

Fair Workweek bill fails miserably in committee

This morning, lawmakers on the Labor and Housing Committee held a public hearing...

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