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.

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...
Education

Efforts to undermine public charter schools only hurt Maine students

A lawmaker from Portland appears to have a personal vendetta against public charter...
Biennial Budget

Governor Mills’ budget sets up Maine for fiscal ruin

The Maine Heritage Policy Center (MHPC) on Monday released a new analysis of...
Election Center

In Maine, National Popular Vote makes your vote meaningless

There is no doubt that our Founding Fathers feared tyranny of the majority,...
Energy Policy

A carbon tax would hurt Maine’s most vulnerable

Lawmakers on the Energy, Utilities and Technology committee on Thursday, Feb. 28 will...
Citizens' Initiative

How lawmakers can add much-needed transparency to the ballot initiative process

Lawmakers on the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee will hold a public hearing...
Occupational Licensing

It shouldn’t be so hard to earn a living in Maine

Occupational licensing exists as a mechanism for government to promote public health and...
Inside Augusta

Home sharing should never be a crime in Maine

Maine’s Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government today is holding a...
Citizens' Initiative

Maine should end tax increases at the ballot box

This week, lawmakers on the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee will hold a...
Biennial Budget

Gov. Mills’ budget grows Maine government to unsustainable levels

Maine Gov. Janet Mills is trying to pass off her budget proposal, released...
Commentary

New York governor has revelation: Progressive tax policies are hurting his state

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo may have come to his senses on tax...
Daily Catch

Mandatory snow tire bill has been withdrawn

Approximately 96 hours after this publication questioned the merits of a bill to...
Commentary

Legislators can take steps to prevent Maine’s coming regulatory storm

This piece first appeared in the Portland Press Herald. During her recent inaugural...
Daily Catch

Police checkpoints for snow tires?

As previously highlighted in this publication, there are a number of strange, ridiculous...
Inside Augusta

It didn’t take long for tax increases to be proposed in Augusta

It was only a matter of time, right? In a piece that read...
Inside Augusta

New analysis shows there are 113,862 regulatory restrictions on the books in Maine

The 2018 Code of Maine Rules is home to 113,862 restrictions and 8.1...
Minimum Wage

Big labor still wants to eliminate Maine’s tip credit

Despite widespread opposition throughout the state among all levels of restaurant staff, big...
Inside Augusta

Why must new vehicles be inspected?

Vehicles are far safer and more reliable than they were nearly a century...
Daily Catch

Maine progressives continue to offer misleading information about the minimum wage

In an article published Thursday on the Maine Beacon – the online opinion...
Inside Augusta

What issues will Maine lawmakers debate in 2019?

At the start every new legislature, Maine’s Office of the Revisor of Statutes...
Commentary

Maine taxpayers cannot afford the costs of universal health care

Among the many harebrained schemes that will be considered in the Maine Legislature...
News

Is the three percent surtax back from the dead?

During the biennial budget battle in 2017 that led to Maine’s first government...
News

Mills calls for solar panels on the Blaine House in inaugural address

It is a “new day” in Augusta according to Janet Mills, who became...
Education

Lawsuit seeks to undo exclusion of religious schools from Maine’s school choice program

Maine’s town tuitioning program, first adopted in 1873, is the second oldest school choice...
Daily Catch

New ordinance diminishes the rights of property owners in South Portland

When struggling to make ends meet, conventional wisdom tells us we have few...
Election Center

Maine voters reject Question 1

After a yearlong campaign of misinformation waged by the supporters of Question 1,...
News

New report details devastating impacts of Question 1

The Maine Heritage Policy Center on Tuesday, Oct. 23 released a new study...
Citizens' Initiative

MPA’s Question 1 talking points now refuted by one of their own

The Maine People’s Alliance (MPA) is pushing a ballot initiative – Question 1...
Election Center

Maine’s ballot initiative process serves outside interests, not Maine people.

Today the Maine Heritage Policy Center released its newest report, “The Will of...
News

Buckeye Institute secures post-Janus victories for public employees in Maine, Minnesota

On Thursday, July 26, two public-sector unions in Maine and Minnesota granted a...
Commentary

Licensing reform can help attract talent to Maine

Policymakers are always asking: ‘What can we do to attract young, talented people...
Occupational Licensing

DPFR serves as the Legislature’s collective slush fund

Occupational licensing is supposed to protect the public from unqualified professionals whose goods...
Taxes

Supporters of Universal Home Care initiative wage war of misinformation

Since the upcoming Universal Home Care (UHC) initiative sponsored by the Maine People’s...
Occupational Licensing

Why do lawmakers choose licensing?

Despite economists on both sides of the aisle agreeing that occupational licensing laws...
Daily Catch

Secretary of State Dunlap finalizes ballot language for Universal Home Care initiative

After accepting public comment for 30 days on the wording of the upcoming...
Occupational Licensing

Maine licensing regimes separate qualified professionals from meaningful employment

Kimberly Fichthorn exemplifies what Maine is looking for. A 47-year-old transplant from Texas,...
Commentary

Where is all the civility we were promised?

The days are winding down until the June 12th primary elections take place,...
Labor

Forget the minimum wage – licensing reform will help lift Mainers out of poverty

Despite its relatively minimal impact on Maine workers, the labor issue presently garnering...
Education

Scarborough residents successfully recall three sitting school board members

Something beautiful happened this week – something that should scare every elected official...
Commentary

Why are young people fleeing Seattle?

After years of its status as a beacon of opportunity for young people,...

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