MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • September 28, 2025
Maine’s regulations are some of the tightest in the nation. Look at zoning, which jacks up housing costs, or environmental rules that, while well-meaning, make it near impossible to build anything new. When our renewable energy mandates drive up electricity bills and slow down development, we’re shooting ourselves in the foot. We’re stuck leaning on lumber and seafood — great industries, but we’ve lost more than we’ve gained over the years. Why? Because it’s too damn hard to innovate here. Other states are building tech hubs and industrial parks while we’re tangled in permits and debates over lot sizes. We need to streamline permitting, cut back on zoning rules, offer tax breaks for small businesses. ~ Theo Daikh, Portland