A version of this story first appeared in the Morning Update newsletter. Sign up here to receive the Morning Update and other BDN newsletters directly in your inbox.
Happy Thursday!
We’ve got a warmer day ahead of us, with highs in the low 60s and sunny skies interrupted by periods of clouds.
Thousands of Maine students voted in a mock election this week, giving them a chance to show their preferences for governor, the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate.
In recent years, the results of the mock election have mirrored those of the general election. Students rejected voter ID and backed a red-flag law referendum last year, much like eligible voters did that November. In presidential elections, the favorite among Maine students went on to win in 2016, 2020 and 2024.
How did this year’s results shake out?
Students handed Troy Jackson a razor-thin win over U.S. Sen. Susan Collins and sent Hannah Pingree to the Blaine House with a plurality. U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree of the 1st District coasted to reelection by a comfortable margin.
But the Democratic sweep stopped in the 2nd District, where Republican Paul LePage beat Matt Dunlap.
Before you invest too much in these results, Maine’s teens haven’t always proven to be reliable prognosticators.
In 2016, they backed Donald Trump for president but also backed a gun background check referendum that failed. Then in 2020 they backed Democrat Sara Gideon in her bid to unseat Collins, but considering who’s on the ballot this year, you know how that race turned out.
This year’s Senate race is running on tight margins in poll after poll. And given Collins’ defiance of polls in 2020, we’ll have to wait until Tuesday to know how it’ll shake out.
State funding is lagging behind the UMaine System’s growing costs
In 1989, almost three-quarters of the University of Maine System’s total expenses were covered by the state.
Next year, the state contribution is projected to cover less than half of the cost, which is a lot better than in Massachusetts or New Hampshire, but not great.
The strange thing is that Maine is giving more than it ever has to the public university system — 44% more than a decade ago. But the system’s costs have grown faster, and revenue from tuition and other sources has in some cases fallen off.
UMaine System spokesperson Samantha Warren said even with more state funding and higher tuition, the universities will still need to cut costs or find other ways to bring in revenue.
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From the Opinion Page
“If she truly is as effective as she claims, I believe Collins should be able to leverage pressure to rein in this administration.”
Opinion: We need a stronger senator to protect the culture, economies and traditions of Maine