Maine
Our 2012 Policy Priorities
In 2012, America’s Edge members will be urging their state legislators and Congressional delegation to do the following:
a. State Policy Priorities:
- Protect the state’s funding for Head Start;
- Expand Pre-K in Maine; and
- Support implementation of Race to the Top funding to improve the quality of early learning programs in Maine.
b. Federal Policy Priorities:
- Fight against cuts, and where possible seek increases, for Head Start, Early Head Start and both the discretionary and mandatory funding streams of the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG)
Did you know that in Maine:
- 272,000 children (under the age of 18) live in the state;
- 1 out of every 3 children live in a household with only one parent;
- Approximately 2,700 children participate in the federally-funded Head Start program;
- 61 percent of eighth graders are below grade level in math;
- 68 percent of fourth graders are reading below grade level; and
- 23 percent of high school students do not graduate on time with a high school diploma.
Click here for the complete Maine Fact Sheet.
America’s Edge Releases New Report in Maine
Coverage about the Report Release
- The Portland Press Herald’s story about the report release: “Educate kids early to help everyone later, businesses say“
- The Morning Sentinel’s story about the report release: “Good early education boosts economy“
See Video Coverage of Report Release in Bangor, ME
America’s Edge Maine Members Meet with U.S. Senators Snowe and Collins
America's Edge members Jim Clair and Dana Connors with U.S. Senator Susan M. Collins
On Tuesday, April 13, 2010, America’s Edge members Dana Connors, President of the Maine Chamber of Commerce, and Jim Clair, CEO of Goold Health Systems, met with U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe and Susan M. Collins in the Senators’ DC offices. Connors and Clair introduced America’s Edge to Snowe and Collins and made the case for increased federal investments in Head Start, Early Head Start and Child Care Development Block Grants.
Dana Connors and Jim Clair with U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe
“As a country, we have rarely viewed early childhood development as a strategy for economic growth. But investments in high-quality early education and care are among the most cost-effective and powerful sources of economic stimulus available.”
–James A. Clair, CEO, Goold Health Systems, Augusta, ME
Click here to view the sign-on letter presented to Senator Collins, and click here to view the sign-on letter presented to Senator Snowe.
America’s Edge Maine in the News
- July 7, 2011, The Times Record letter-to-the-editor by Bob Davis, “Important caveat”
- June 1, 2011, The Bangor Daily News published an article entitled, “Leaders stress importance of early education to business”
- Our report touting the short-term economic benefits of investments in early learning was featured in this month’s issue of Impact, The Maine State Chamber of Commerce Newsletter. The article and a picture of Dana Connors, President of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and an America’s Edge member is on page 5.
- May 1, 2011 Lewiston Sun Journal Op-Ed by Chip Morrison, “Early education key to future business success”
- March 15, 2011 Kennebec Journal Letter to the Editor by Charlie Ault, “Head Start sound investment for Maine.”
- November 17, 2010 Portland Press Herald Letter to the Editor by John Peters, “Early learning programs worth their weight in gold.”
- November 16, 2010 The Notes letter by Rep. Meredith Strang Burgess, “Early education benefits children, families and our economy.”
- October 3, 2010 Portland Press Herald- Maine Sunday Telegram op-ed by Chris Emmons, President and CEO, Gorham Savings Bank, “Educare center path to future.”
- October 3, 2010 Kennebec Journal Letter to the Editor by Jim Clair, “Educare to give Maine two economic ‘bounces.’”
- August 21, 2010 Portland Press Herald op-ed by Eileen Skinner and Godfrey Wood, “Early childhood investments pay dividends for Maine’s economy.”
- June 28, 2010 Bangor Daily News Letter to the Editor by Arthur Comstock, “A Solid Investment.”
- June 15, 2010 Times Record Letter to the Editor by John Peters, “Leaders of Tomorrow.”
- June 10, 2010 Times Record Letter to the Editor by Glenn Hutchinson, “Invest in Early Education.”
- June 6, 2010 Kennebec Journal op-ed by Jim Clair, “For business, no better investment than early learning.”
- May 28, 2010 Bangor Daily News op-ed by John Rohman, Principal of WBRC Architects & Engineers, “High-quality early education essential to success.”
- April 16, 2010 Morning Sentinel op-ed by Dana Connors “Maine Compass: Educare will serve children, community, future workforce.”
- March 13, 2010 Portland Press Herald Letter to the Editor by America’s Edge member Bob Davis “Preschool programs worthy, shouldn’t be short changed.”
- March 13, 2010 Lewiston Sun Journal Letter to the Editor by America’s Edge member Chip Morrison “A more stable workforce.”
- March 12, 2010 Bangor Daily News Letter to the Editor by America’s Edge member John Bragg “Invest early, often.”
- February 11, 2010 Impact, Maine Chamber of Commerce’s weekly newsletter “Maine business leaders see high quality early education as key to future economic success.”
- December 2, 2009 Times Record Letter to the Editor by Bob Davis “Building a Strong Future.”
- October 30, 2009 (Brunswick) Times Record op-ed by America’s Edge member John Peters, CEO of Downeast Energy, “Early childhood investments make sense.”
- October 14, 2009 Maine Policy Review: A Joint Publication of the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center and the Margaret Chase Smith Library, essay by Dana Connors, “Investing in Maine’s Youngest Children Has Great Returns for Business.”
- September 25, 2009 (Brunswick) Times Record article “Early education investment touted to area business” (following up to Sept. 24th Mid Coast Regional Business Leaders Summit).
- March 13, 2009 Portland Press Herald letter to the editor by Dana Connors, President of the Maine Chamber of Commerce “Senators stimulus vote seen from opposite sides.”
- February 1, 2009 Maine Sunday Telegram op ed by Lincoln County Sheriff Todd Brackett and Jim Clair, CEO Goold Health Systems, “Invest in 21st century workforce.”
*For more information, please contact State Director Kim Gore at (207) 725-5946. or kgore@AmericasEdge.org.