THE HERITAGE POLICY CENTER WWW.MAINEPOLICY.ORG QUARTERLY Non-Profit www.FixWelfare.com U.S. Postage www.FreeME.us PAID www.GreatSchoolsForME.org www.MaineHealthReform.org Impact JANUARY 2014 Report Permit No 209 Portland ME www.MaineOpenGov.org www.TheMaineWire.com

Post Office Box 7829 Board of Directors Portland, Maine 04112 Mr. Peter Anania 207.321.2550 phone Timothy J. Bryant, Esq. 207.773.4385 fax Mr. www.MainePolicy.org Mr. Peter Ciriello Thomas A. Connolly, Esq. Mrs. Jinger Duryea The Honorable Neal B. Freeman Mr. W. R. Jackson, Jr. Mr. Jeff Kane James Ward, JD Working together to advance the cause of liberty… join the fight! Thomas A. Connolly

The Maine Heritage Policy Center welcomes s Mark Twain so eloquently put it, “No man's Wire – the fastest growing political news website in new member Thomas A. Connolly to our life, liberty, or property are safe while the the state. Board of Directors. A legislature is in session.” Well guess what, it's that time of year where the start of yet another The Maine Wire is written by conservatives, for Mr. Connolly is an investor and asset manag- legislative session is just around the corner. conservatives and is delivering news that er with over 20 years’ experience in equities conservatives care about, bringing truth to media and alternative investment vehicles, includ- ing advisory work to the endowments of I don't know about you, but if you are anything like narratives and political debate, one story at a time. several non-profit organizations. He has also me, it makes my stomach cringe to know that with the Our hard-hitting stories are working to drive the Introducing The Maine Wire’s Transparency Fund practiced law with a large international firm start of every legislative session we face the possibility political conversation and forcing the mainstream in New York City specializing in corporate of increased taxes and less freedoms. media to report the truth. The success of MHPC’s The litigation and bankruptcy, with admission to Maine Wire is proof that liberal media bias does the state bars of California and New York. Fortunately though, conservatives have a strong, indeed exist.

united voice in The Maine Heritage Policy Center He previously served on the professional (MHPC). Here at The Maine Heritage Policy Center, we THE MAINE WIRE PRODUCES HARD-HITTING staffs of both the Judiciary Committee and

the Select Committee on Intelligence of the understand that our shared values and conservative Most of you reading this already know we are Maine’s INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING THAT GIVES MAINERS A U.S. Senate. For the Judiciary Committee, he principles are under attack. served as a policy specialist in the areas of foremost conservative “think-tank” or policy center. DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON THE NEWS AND SHEDS LIGHT international illicit drug control and federal You know what we do, what we stand for, and what Rest assured in knowing that The Maine Heritage government programs and financial support we have accomplished here at MHPC. Policy Center is committed to the battles ahead, that ON WHAT'S REALLY HAPPENING IN AUGUSTA. to innovative police and prison programs at we will continue press forward in the fight to preserve the state and local level. On the Intelligence MHPC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research and Committee staff, he was a technical expert in our freedom and hold our politicians – and the liberal educational organization based in Maine. We work to the areas of nuclear weapons monitoring, media – accountable. The Maine Wire created the fund in order to support our ongoing investigations in the activities of government. U.S. intelligence collection policy and formulate and promote free-market, conservative As recent events have shown, entrenched interests in Augusta are committed to keeping public records secret. adequacy, technology transfer, and counter- public policies in the areas of limited government, So, how can you help?

Powerful politicians don't want the people to know what they're up to and why. But The Maine Wire's terrorism. He later researched and published economic growth, tax and fiscal policy, health care, some of the first academic studies on education, constitutional law and government I want you to tell your family and friends, your dedicated team is resolute in our mission to expose corruption in government and hold public officials conflicts, under the Constitution, between transparency—providing solutions that benefit all neighbors and co-workers, everyone you can… anyone Presidential powers and responsibilities and who will listen. Ours’ is a battle for hearts and minds, accountable. Contributions to the Transparency Fund will enable The Maine Wire to use Freedom of Access Act citizens' privacy rights in the collection by the Maine citizens. and every MHPC member and Maine Wire reader requests to obtain the important public records and secret communications politicians don't want you to see. government of warrantless intelligence in the United States, particularly as it relates to If you have been following us online or attending any brings us closer to a prosperous Maine. international arms control agreements. of our nearly 30 events – you know we are fighting to advance the cause of liberty and working to Free Working together, we will advance the cause of Mr. Connolly graduated with a B.A. in Maine. liberty. Will you join the fight? www.TheMaineWire.com philosophy from Yale University and earned an M.A. degree in politics and philosophy You know we are providing solutions to grow Maine’s In Liberty, EIN: 22-3888250 • www.CrowdRise.com/MaineHeritagePolicyC from Oxford University. His J.D. is from economy and address Maine's welfare problems. Stanford Law School. He supports and has

been associated with numerous non-profit Since the left controls Maine’s mainstream organizations in the areas of education and job training, care for the elderly, national newspapers, it can be hard for liberty-minded folks to security, immigration, and integrity in the get the truth about what’s happening in Augusta and J. Scott Moody THE MAINE HERITAGE POLICY CENTER media. CEO & Chief Economist Washington, D.C. That’s why MHPC created The Maine The Maine Heritage Policy Center Join the Movement to Free Maine! The Maine Heritage A Day on the Road with Paul: Other media Policy Center is proud to be outlets promptly left Washington County ree ME is a bold initiative that than make up for the “lost” revenue Maine’s foremost will free Maine. It is a realistic to government. Free ME is a following the Governor’s remarks about the conservative, free-market closing of the Edmunds boat launch. (They F strategy for spurring econom- revolutionary idea for Maine that will egislative Council: The Maine Wire Obamacare: The Maine Wire reported hurried home to write stories about how ic development statewide. make the state more competitive and think tank.

delivered breaking coverage of the exclusively on changes to Maine's individual unnecessary it was given that the partial more business-friendly. Free ME will Maine has the opportunity to become Legislature’s Executive Council and and small group health insurance markets federal shutdown had already concluded.) stop the bleeding and jump-start the L America’s premier destination for MHPC by the determinations as to which bills will come due to Obamacare. Through several weeks Unlike the mainstream press, The Maine economic recovery that is so urgently economic freedom and growth. before the Legislature in January. Our of investigative reporting, we uncovered Wire spent the day with Governor LePage in needed. coverage showed how the six-person that more than ten thousand Mainers will Washington County as he toured Free ME will put Maine back on the With more job creation, prosperity Democratic majority on the council lose their current insurance plans due to businesses, a local school and a hospital. path to prosperity. Just think what it and opportunity, Free ME has the  5 full-time staff effectively blocked a host of Republican- the president's signature health care The result? A story that shows the side of would mean for Maine to become ability to decrease government backed bills, including welfare reform reform plan. Paul LePage the and plus 2 policy contractors the “tax haven” of the northeast, dependence, which sadly has reached proposals and a bill to help homeless would never cover.  7 active websites where entrepreneurs can thrive, epidemic proportions in our state. veterans. Furthermore, we reported where retirees can enjoy more of More than one out of every three  8 public Facebook pages exclusively on the Democrat-controlled Teachers union unhappy with Obamacare? what they have saved, where families MHPC’s Free ME Initiative received national Mainers is dependent on the welfare and 1 public profile with a council’s decision to kill a bill from The Maine Wire reported exclusively on the can keep more of what they have recognition at the State Policy Network's 21st Annual Meeting as the "Most Promising system, and those numbers will only Republican Representative Amy Volk of Maine Education Association having an earned. total of 6,321 fans/friends Concept" for freedom and liberty continue to climb unless we act now Scarborough. Our reporting on Volk’s bill – epiphany that maybe Obamacare isn’t all amongst the network's 59 affiliated to turn things around.  69,214 monthly average and on the media’s initial refusal to cover it’s cracked up to be. In a story the main- Free ME will turbo-charge the state’s think-tanks for 2013. Facebook reach the story – eventually reached a tipping stream media are still ignoring, we economy and make Maine a If adopted, Free ME will keep the destination for capital and 5 twitter accounts with a point, with numerous other outlets picking uncovered how current teachers and flame of freedom burning brightly for  investment. The economic growth up the story. Just like when we caught retirees are about to have their insurance generations to come and FREE total of 1,709 followers Congressman Mike Michaud telling tall tales Federal Overreach: The Maine Wire was plans cancelled or dramatically restructured and prosperity that follow will more MAINE.  Active accounts with 8 in his first campaign ad, the mainstream first to break the story about the federal – and how they’re actively seeking an media was compelled to acknowledge our government’s inexplicable decision to close exemption from the Obama administration social media sites coverage. a state-owned, state-run park in in order to avoid increased premium costs. Visit www.FreeME.us and get Involved.  30 events hosted with Washington County. Our exclusive coverage 1,280 attendees including The result? All of the Democrats on the of the event culminated in Governor LePage council have now signaled a willingness to travelling to the Edmunds Township boat 124 first-time attendees support Volk’s legislation. This small victory launch and subsequent reports in every shows yet again that through relentless, state newspaper and multiple television Connect with GreatSchoolsforME.org online: fact-based reporting, The Maine Wire is outlets. The Maine Wire’s story was also S. E. Robinson hanks to the enduring work of The Maine changing the political discussion in Maine featured in a write-up from the Washington Editor Heritage Policy Center and Governor LePage, and forcing the mainstream media to Times. The Maine Wire T three more charter schools opened their doors report on issues important to conservatives. for the first time this fall for a grand total of five charter schools in Maine. Connect with The Maine Wire online: @TheMaineWire or Facebook.com/TheMaineWire  Baxter Academy for Technology & Science (2013) MaineOpenGov.org  Cornville Regional Charter School (2012)  Fiddlehead School of Arts & Sciences (2013) MHPC’s Center for Open Government & Transparency  Harpswell Coastal Academy (2012)  n the issue of Medicaid expansion, we have requested Although our efforts to bring transparency to the legislature Maine Academy of Natural Sciences (2012) copies of Democratic lawmaker’s communications typically have been stymied at every turn with exorbitant fees and manufacturing companies to between liberal advocacy groups like the Maine unnecessary delays, we are excited to announce that in the coming In September, seven proposed charter schools submitted showcase the operation of their People’s Alliance, Maine Equal Justice Partners and the months, The Maine Wire will release a special report on not only letters of intent to the Maine Charter School Commission, machines which require a high level of knowledge OMaine Center for Economic Policy. the contents of our public record requests, but the frustrating indicating plans to open schools in the fall of 2014. and skill in techno logy and engineering. process of getting elected officials to comply with the Freedom of — — We have also requested all communications exchanged between Access Act. Amanda Clark celebrated National Manufacturing Day Currently, GreatSchoolsforME.org has 542 Facebook fans. top Democrats and the federal government vis-à-vis the Centers for with community leaders, students, and parents on Friday, Since August, more than 12,000 people have visited Medicare and Medicaid. These documents will show how efforts to MaineOpenGov.org October 4 at Mega Industries in Gorham. The goal of this www.GreatSchoolsforME.org with an average duration of drastically expand Maine’s dysfunctional Medicaid system are being event, hosted by the Manufacturers Association of Maine, the taxpayers’ watchdog for 1 minute plus, garnering more than 2,300 page views in pushed by left-leaning interest groups and the Obama was to educate students about new job opportunities in just less than three months. administration. everyday Mainers the field of manufacturing and to encourage

Jonathan Haines THE MAINE HERITAGE POLICY CENTER Director of Communications ImpactReport The Maine Heritage Policy Center