This report was funded by GrowSmart Maine. In the course of 18 months, 9 town meetings were held in various Maine communities that gave the research team insight into Maine issues; local, state, and national.

The Institute's report claims $60 to $100 million dollars could be saved by streamlining state government. Restructuring School Administrative districts from 200 to 80 and modernizing is suggested to save another $25 million dollars. Reducing property and income taxes is a high priority in the report's goals along with developing the "Maine" brand and reducing sprawl.

Bonds were approved last fall for funding of some of the report's recommendations. A uniform building code for the state has been approved. Research and development bonds were also approved. Since the report has been published there has been 27 town meetings in less than 4 months. There have been 115 presentations and over 700 news articles with about 5,000 Maine citizens signing up and pledging to help bring about the reports recommendations.

GrowSmart has been contacted by the library and they may send a representative to the meeting to inform us about additional actions recently taken and what is next on the agenda.

Pick up the report at the library and join us on Wednesday August 27th at 6 PM as we debate, argue, dispute, criticize, and examine a report that digs into the heart and soul of Maine's future.