How is Maine going to get ahead when we keep doing things to frustrate progress? Every day we see more and more examples of this, from straight-out mistakes with the implementation of government programs to upside-down rules and regulations that make it harder for Maine people to get ahead. We’re keeping track of these issues on our Wall of Shame so we can urge our public officials to fix them.
Have some ideas for the Wall of Shame? Click here to send them our way!
Local rules mean less housing at old Brewer vacuum shop
Another example of errant regulation exacerbating the housing crisis.
Maine to require 20 inches of insulation in new homes
Maine’s new energy efficiency requirements are forcing new homes to have 20″ of attic insulation, driving some home costs up by as much as $15,000.
Different computer systems present challenges to Maine police departments across county lines
Did you know that Maine’s police departments do not have an integrated computer system? This means investigators need to place phone calls to neighboring jurisdictions to get critical information.
Towns in Southern Maine mandating sprinkler systems for new homes
Despite a housing crisis across the state, some Maine towns are forcing new single-family home owners to install expensive sprinkler systems.
Audit Reveals Systemic $2.1 Billion Financial Mismanagement
Maine’s centralized procurement agency, the Office of State Procurement Services (OSPS), was found to have routinely approved contracts without conducting required cost analyses
$30 Million Child Welfare Database Debacle
Maine spent $30 million in software for its child welfare system, and staffers now say the upgrade made things worse than before.
Maine has spent millions to digitize court records — and they’re still mostly not online
Maine taxpayers have paid millions to digitize court records, but more than 9 years later, it still hasn’t happened.
The city of Portland is paying residents to buy e-bikes from local stores
The city has been giving qualifying Portlanders as much as $2,500 each to help purchase e-bikes under the goal of making transportation more accessible and safe.
Veterans Funding Delayed
Our veterans’ homes needed emergency state funding to stay afloat. The state passed the funding back in 2023… and Maine Veterans’ Homes just received the funds a year and a half later.