Maine's 2009 Policy Scholars
April 6, 2009 -
On April 3rd, I had the great opportunity to sit on a panel that listened and questioned Maine's 2009 Policy Scholars. Conceived by the late Peter Cox and funded by many donors, the Maine Policy Scholars program engages University of Maine students in the public policy process. One student from each of the university’s campuses, working with a faculty advisor, tackles a real-life policy issue facing Maine. After conducting extensive research, the scholar produces a final report in the form of a memo to the Governor or appropriate policy maker outlining the problem, the data available, and recommended policy solutions.
The students presented their public policies at the Michael Klahr Holocaust and Human Rights Education Resource Center at the University of Maine at Augusta.
Ted Closson, University of Maine at Augusta, Revising Maine’s Equal Pay Law and Increased Enforcement
Advisor: Professor Jon Schlenker
Jessica Long, University of Maine at Orono, Nutrition in Maine’s Public Schools
Advisor: Professor Amy Fried
Jessica McKee, University of Southern Maine, “An Act to Care for Working Families” and Paid Sick Leave in the State of Maine
Advisor: Professor Luisa Deprez
Christopher Roy, University of Maine at Fort Kent, A Wind Power Ordinance for Fort Kent
Advisor: Professor John Martin
Nancy Varin, University of Maine at Farmington, Encouraging Local Economic Growth through Community-Scale Wind Power
Advisor: Professor Jim Melcher
Senator Libby Mitchell moderated the panel and I sat with former Governor Angus King, Maine Community Foundation President and CEO Meredith Jones and University of Maine at Augusta President Allyson Hughes Handley.
I walked away impressed by these five scholars. Their presentations were thorough, they had a ton of poise and gave me a few ideas for the next legislative session! Great job.
