Originally published in the Bangor Daily News on March 4, 2014 I argued previously in a Feb. 4 BDN OpEd that unconditional cash transfers funded by a carbon tax could bring about substantial reductions in extreme poverty globally. But what about the less-than-extreme poverty in developed countries? Is there a case to be made for unconditional cash […]

originally published in the Bangor Daily News on February 24, 2014 Editor’s note: In this monthly series, the authors introduce you to people who are apt to be your neighbors, are struggling to make ends meet and have been affected by specific state policies. To share your story, write to Sandy.Butler@umit.maine.edu or call 581-2382. One-third of […]

originally published in the Bangor Daily News on February 18, 2014 The American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC, has attracted considerable attention in recent years for its role as a forum for companies to lobby state legislators. Operating since 1973, ALEC describes itself as a “nonpartisan public-private partnership of America’s state legislators, members of the private sector and the general public” […]

Originally published at Talking Points Memo on February 17, 2014. Selection below.  Nicholas Kristof wrote in his Sunday New York Times column that to the detriment of the American people, professors are missing from the great debates of our time. He blames this on scholars themselves and the larger academic culture that “glorifies arcane unintelligibility while […]

This week, we’ll be joined by guest Scholars Strategy Network member, Alex Hertel-Fernandez for number of talks in the greater Bangor area. Here is the press release for his upcoming appearances… Alex Hertel-Fernandez to speak on “Corporate Power in America’s Statehouses,” with a response from Rep. Adam Goode and audience discussion Bangor: Thursday, February 20, […]

Originally published in the Bangor Daily News on February 4, 2014. Global extreme poverty is an urgent and persistent, but ultimately solvable, problem. One partial solution to such widespread poverty could also help to mitigate the growing impacts of climate change: the development of a universal dividend funded by a universal carbon fee. The World […]

Originally published in the Bangor Daily News on January 25, 2014. Editor’s note: In this monthly series, the authors introduce you to people who are apt to be your neighbors, are struggling to make ends meet and have been affected by specific state policies. To share your story, write to Sandy.Butler@umit.maine.edu or call 581-2382. When […]

Originally published in the Bangor Daily News on January 3, 2104 Maine’s recent state budgets have dramatically cut money for town programs over the past several years, resulting in substantially less revenue for municipalities. While local service needs have not necessarily declined in the years following the 2007-2009 recession, munici­palities have been forced to restructure […]

Originally published in the Bangor Daily News on January 21, 2014 For the last 10 years, Maine’s Environmental Priorities Coalition has identified a handful of bills to target during the upcoming legislative session. At times this has involved supporting environmental initiatives such as increasing investment in energy efficiency, which was passed in 2013. At others, […]

Robert W. Glover, University of Maine  Roughly three weeks ago, I wrote about Governor LePage’s allegations of fraud and abuse in the state’s EBT (electronic benefit transfer) system–the primary means by which 7700 needy families in the state access cash and food benefits. At the time, I said, “…we lack any systematic evidence that such […]