Policy Leaders Academy
Experiential training for Maine’s legislators
Policy Leaders Academy is a non-partisan educational program of the Maine Development Foundation for Maine Legislators on the Maine economy. This program has delivered high quality, objective and non-partisan experiential training to legislators since 1985. The program is open and free for all Maine Legislators.
Program participants learn about the fundamentals of the Maine economy and the factors that drive long-term growth. Participants learn how their public policy decisions affect the growth and investment strategies of Maine’s for-profit businesses and organizations. They learn this through interacting directly with business, non-profit, education and community leaders throughout Maine.
Policy Leaders Academy is a program of the Maine Development Foundation, with strong financial and personnel support from several prominent Maine foundations and organizations committed to a prosperous and thriving state.
2024-2025 Policy Leaders Academy Events
We are excited to offer the following programming for the 132nd Legislature:
2024 Pre-Legislative Conference
On Thursday, December 5, MDF will host members of state legislature at Maine Municipal Association for the final day of their Pre-Legislative Conference. This event will provide useful information to new and returning legislators to aid them in their understanding of the topics and issues they will likely face in the upcoming legislative session. Topics of the day include an overview of Maine’s economy and demographics; a panel discussion of key economic, community, and environmental issues highlighted by the newly released 2024 Measures of Growth report and Maine’s 10-Year Economic Development Strategy; and a panel of seasoned Maine legislators sharing insights on what they wish they’d known as they began their legislative service. The day is sponsored by the Legislative Council and offered in partnership with the organizations and foundations listed below.
2025 Bus Tour
On January 29-31, 2025, MDF will take members of the 132nd Maine Legislature on a bus tour to Northern Maine. The bus tour is a fun and educational biennial offering of the Policy Leaders Academy that gives legislators the opportunity to interact directly with businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders in a region. Participants see and hear about the challenges specific to rural Maine and how collaboration across sectors and organizations creates opportunities.
Resources
Download the Executive Summary
Making Maine Work 2022: Critical Investments for the Maine Economy
Download the Executive Summary
Download the Full Report
Maine State Budget Primer 2021
Click here for the 2022 primer supplement,
which describes recent changes to the allocation of
surplus General Fund revenue (the “cascade”)
and Maine’s receipt of federal funds
from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Policy Leaders Academy Partners
Policy Leaders Academy is a program of Maine Development Foundation, with strong financial and personnel support from several prominent Maine foundations and organizations committed to a prosperous and thriving state. The generous support of these organizations allows MDF to leverage expertise from across Maine to provide legislators with rich learning opportunities at no cost to individual legislators.
This year’s Policy Leaders Academy is brought to you by the following partners:
“I always benefit from the opportunity to socialize with folks from the other side of the aisle.”
“I want to thank you and MDF for putting together this opportunity to learn more about Maine. In all aspects, it exceeded my expectations and gave me, as a new legislator, a wonderful opportunity to build meaningful relationships. I know the experience will be invaluable in representing my district and helping Maine move forward into the future.”
Feedback from past PLA participants