This year was a massively impactful year for Maine Policy Institute.
From testifying on more than 230 bills, to stopping a new fee hike for vehicle inspections, to producing a first-of-its-kind comprehensive Maine-specific analysis of how land use regulations affect housing development, MPI has seen the fruits of its work materialize into real, tangible effects in the Maine Legislature in 2025. And we’re proud of it.
Here are just a few of our legislative wins from this year:
We also:
- Achieved a statutory increase in government transparency, written directly into Maine law.
- Closed loopholes that allowed agencies to hide contract decisions from the public.
- Strengthened oversight so taxpayers, journalists, and watchdogs can hold government accountable.
It’s been a big year for Maine Policy.
But we still have work to do in 2026.
Looking ahead to 2026, MPI will be working on three major policy initiatives:
1. ENERGY REPORT
Maine Policy is partnering with allied think tanks throughout New England to continue exploring the cost of “going green” and identify ways to improve energy affordability and reliability through alternative energy pathways, including the expansion of natural gas pipelines throughout the region and new nuclear technologies.
Maine Policy will soon be releasing a new analysis which quantifies how the expansion of natural gas and nuclear in favor of each New England state’s green energy plan will save ratepayers billions of dollars by 2050 and significantly improve energy grid reliability. Past research by Maine Policy has found that the green energy plans adopted by each New England state (excluding New Hampshire) will collectively cost ratepayers more than $800 billion by 2050. This new research will spell out for policy makers why natural gas and nuclear are better for ratepayers from a cost standpoint and how these baseload power sources would significantly improve reliability without requiring the extensive and expensive battery backups required for intermittent green energy sources like wind and solar.
2. EDUCATION
Maine Policy will work throughout 2026 pressuring the Mills administration to opt into the new federal education tax credit program established by Congress. Maine Policy has worked with Sen. Trey Stewart to introduce legislation in the upcoming second session that would designate which organizations in Maine would be eligible to receive charitable donations and award scholarships to students under the law. If the Legislative Council denies the entry of that bill request into the second session, Maine Policy will turn its focus to the executive branch, pressuring Gov. Mills’ education and tax departments to make these changes administratively on behalf of Maine taxpayers.
If Maine designates scholarship granting organizations under the new federal law, Mainers could receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit of up to $1,700 starting in tax year 2027. Maine must make these changes in 2026, however. If we do not, Mainers will still be able to make donations under the law, but they would go to scholarship granting organizations in other states, meaning Mainers’ charitable contributions will be exported to benefit students in other states (most likely New Hampshire).
3. THE MAINE WIRE
The Maine Wire, a sister organization of Maine Policy Institute, and The Robinson Report, a blog written, hosted, and published by Maine Wire Editor-in-Chief Steve Robinson, continue to dominate the media landscape in Maine, significantly outpacing Maine’s traditional print media in online views and social media engagement.
In recent months, the Maine Wire’s investigative work continues to capture state and national attention, including the recent publication of a story into a Newburgh woman receiving 250 absentee ballots mailed to her in an Amazon package, a scandal that Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows claims is being investigated, and for which she still has not answered to.
This year, Steve Robinson made the rounds with illustrious figures in Maine politics and media, attracting national attention to Maine issues. This year, Steve Robinson made the rounds with illustrious figures in Maine politics and media, attracting national attention to Maine issues. Additionally, Steve and Maine Wire Digital Media Editor Graham Pollard won awards for their documentary, “High Crimes: The Chinese Mafia’s Takeover of Rural America,” at the DAO Prize Awards this year.
Here are a few key appearances Steve made:
- Held an exclusive interview with Sen. Susan Collins about the federal government shutdown on his Robinson Report Substack page.
- Sat down with Tucker Carlson in an interview to discuss the Chinese mafia illegal marijuana grows in Maine. (360,000 views on YouTube)
- Appeared on The Shawn Ryan Show – “What If China’s Secret Weapon Was Sold at Your Local Gas Station?” (580,000 views on YouTube)
- Spoke with podcaster Julian Dorey (82,000 views on YouTube)
- Appeared on Fox News numerous times to discuss various issues in Maine, such as corruption and fraud by the leader of Lewiston-based nonprofit Gateway Community Services, and illegal Chinese marijuana grows with Laura Ingraham.
In addition, the Maine Wire has made a significant splash in both broadcast and social media:
- National news outlets continue to pick up stories first reported on by The Maine Wire
- Right-wing social media accounts with large followings such as Libs of TikTok (4.5 million followers on X) continue sharing stories related to Maine, thanks to the Maine Wire
- Prominent conservative podcasters such as Matt Walsh have reported on Maine-based current events multiple times, including in September when Cumberland County District Attorney Jackie Sartoris speculated on Charlie Kirk’s alleged shooter.
Here are some notable (and impressive) social media statistics from the Maine Wire:
- Facebook: 200 million views reaching approximately 11.5 million users
- X (formerly Twitter): 38.4 thousand followers with more than 47 million impressions
- Instagram: 28.5 thousand followers with more than 104 million impressions
- Published nearly 3,000 pieces of individual content
- In 2025 alone, Maine Wire achieved significant growth including a 132 percent jump in the number of Facebook followers.
These statics represent a breakout year and, by building awareness, helps change the mindset and culture from a collectivism and pro-government mentality to one that supports greater freedom and the individual.
Consequently, Maine Policy will continue to grow the Maine Wire’s audience and reach in the new year, covering the blow-by-blow of Maine’s 2026 political campaigns and more long-form interviews and podcasts with politicians of all stripes who wish to serve in powerful positions in Maine government.
Three Major Goals for the Next Twelve Months
In addition to these three major policy initiatives above, Maine Policy has three major goals for 2026.
As Maine enters a pivotal election year, our 2026 agenda focuses on strengthening Maine’s economy, expanding educational freedom, and ensuring affordable, reliable energy. Building on its 2025 successes, the Maine Policy has identified the following ambitious policy priorities and goals for 2026 that would be most impactful to Maine citizens.
1. Improving Reliability and Affordability for Maine Electric Ratepayers
In 2026, Maine Policy will continue its leadership in energy policy reform by focusing on reliability and affordability for Maine’s electric consumers. Working in partnership with other New England think tanks, Maine Policy will release new regionalresearch that quantifies the economic and environmental benefits of expanding the ISO-New England grid with nuclear and natural gas capacity.
This study will contrast the real costs of the region’s current “green” energy mandates with the potential savings and reliability improvements offered by a diversified energy portfolio. The findings will underscore how Maine’s overreliance on subsidized renewable projects distorts markets and raises rates for consumers.
To amplify the impact of this research, Maine Policy will conduct a coordinated media and outreach campaign, including op-eds, briefings, and public events in Maine and throughout New England with our regional partners. These efforts will inform voters and policymakers during Maine’s 2026 gubernatorial and legislative elections, ensuring that energy affordability remains a central campaign issue.
Thanks to The Bradley Foundation’s support in 2025, we achieved a major victory on energy choice legislation that now protects Maine consumers’ right to choose how to heat their home, what kind of appliances and technologies they use, and what kind of cars they drive. Maine Policy will build on this momentum and lay the groundwork for nuclear deregulation legislation in 2027. This forward-looking reform will position Maine to join a growing number of states embracing advanced nuclear technology as a reliable, carbon-free energy source. By 2026, Maine Policy aims to make the case for energy reform that prioritizes innovation, consumer choice, and long-term affordability over expensive green energy mandates.
2. Fighting Off Punitive Income Tax Increases
Another top priority for 2026 will be defending Maine taxpayers from harmful and regressive income tax hikes. Two major tax bills are expected to dominate the second legislative session:
- A proposal to raise Maine’s top marginal income tax rate to 8.95 percent, reversing the progress made during Governor LePage’s administration when Maine Policy helped reduce the top rate to 7.15 percent.
- A proposed 2 percent income surtax, similar to the 2016 ballot initiative that was passed by voters but repealed in Governor LePage’s final budget.
If enacted together, these measures would increase Maine’s top rate to 10.95 percent, among the highest in the nation — a devastating blow to small businesses and working families.
Maine Policy will launch a comprehensive advocacy campaign to defeat these bills. This effort will include economic analyses illustrating how tax increases discourage investment and job creation, coalition-building with business and civic groups, and mobilization of Maine citizens to contact lawmakers. Maine Policy will provide testimony and publish commentary that exposes the economic costs of higher taxes and champions pro-growth fiscal policy.
By defending taxpayers against these punitive proposals, Maine Policy will continue its longstanding mission of promoting fiscal responsibility and protecting Mainers from government overreach.
3. Participating in Congress’ New Education Tax Credit
Perhaps the most transformative opportunity for Maine education in 2026 is the federal education tax credit program established by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed by Congress earlier this year. Beginning in 2027, Americans who contribute up to $1,700 to a Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) will receive a dollar-for-dollar reduction in their federal tax liability. These SGOs will provide scholarships for educational expenses such as tutoring, special needs services, transportation, books, technology, and even private school tuition.
To ensure that Maine families benefit from this program, Maine must formally opt into the federal initiative, either administratively or through legislative action. Without this step, Mainers could still donate to SGOs in other states — but Maine students would not be eligible for scholarships, meaning millions in potential educational support could flow to out-of-state students.
Maine Policy will take the lead in making sure this does not happen. In the 2026 session, we will draft and advocate for legislation that opts Maine into the program and designates eligible SGOs. The bill will be designed to maximize participation, minimize red tape, and align with Maine’s commitment to educational freedom and parental choice.
Throughout 2026, Maine Policy will engage with lawmakers, the Department of Education, private schools, homeschool networks, and parent organizations to build broad support for participation in this program. Maine Policy will also produce policy briefs, testimony, and public education materials highlighting the program’s benefits, particularly for low- and middle-income families seeking access to quality educational options.
Maine Policy’s leadership on this issue will ensure that Maine students and families do not miss out on tens of millions of dollars in charitable contributions that could expand opportunity and strengthen educational outcomes statewide.
Each of the major goals listed above include four core activities as part of these projects:
- Education: Research studies, briefs, podcasts, and news stories will be produced on these policy objectives and form the basis of educational campaigns. Activities include: speaking engagements and meetings with key policy makers, and business leaders; hosting policy-specific events for the public; and legislator-only briefings with bipartisan participation.
- Coalition-Building: Coordinating coalitions of parents, citizens, business leaders, and legislators to advance policy objectives will be ongoing. Activities include outreach to potential partners, facilitation of coalition meetings, and management of communications and logistics.
- Advocacy: For the 2025-26 legislative sessions, Maine Policy has identified key lawmakers who will support or can be persuaded to support our policy objectives. Direct actions from grassroots activists include submitting testimony, writing op-eds and letters to the editor, and petition signing – demonstrating to lawmakers that there is broad support or opposition to the specific policies.
- Public Outreach: Maine citizens who participate in the legislative process are a critical component in determining outcomes that impact all Maine people. By providing the benefits of specific policy objectives along with an emotional appeal, we will work to ensure all hard-fought gains are preserved. This will involve outreach to the public through traditional media, Maine Wire, and social media as well as our mail distribution list with 22,000 addresses to communicate to a broad audience.
Maine Policy looks forward to continue its high-impact work in 2026.
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