Think tank making inroads in Augusta

PORTLAND – A think tank that was launched after the 2002 election is being praised and panned for its conservative political views.

The Maine Heritage Policy Center was started when Bill Becker found himself without a job after being the finance director for Republican Peter Cianchette’s unsuccessful run for governor against Democrat John Baldacci.

The group has grown from one person working out of his home with a laptop and cell phone to five staff members with offices in Portland’s Old Port.

The center works to promote conservative public policies on issues ranging from taxes to Social Security to health care. It recently posted a “spend-o-meter” on its Web site to remind residents how quickly the state is spending money.

Becker calls Dirigo Health, the state’s universal health program, an “expensive failure,” and his group recently brought White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card to Maine to talk up President Bush’s plans for Social Security.

“We really felt it was important that Maine – the media, legislators and the business community – was able to hear about policy solutions from a conservative point of view,” Becker said. “I often say when I give speeches, ‘I’m here to tell you conservative is not a bad word.'”

Some Republican lawmakers say the policy center fills a void by bringing forward information that hasn’t been part of past discussions about state policy. Rep. Kenneth Fletcher, R-Winslow, credits the group with focusing discussion at the State House on the state’s high tax burden.

“They’ve added an important voice to the conversation which tends to be more conservative,” he said.

But Lee Umphrey, a senior adviser to Gov. John Baldacci, called Becker and his colleagues “mean-spirited.” He said the group “spreads negativity and disruption in our political process.”

“They are bringing a national right-wing agenda to Maine, and Mainers are moderates,” Umphrey said.

Christopher St. John, executive director of the liberal Maine Center for Economic Policy, said the Maine Heritage Policy Center seems to have had some influence with Republican legislators.

“They appear to be content with talking to a very insular minority that advance extreme ideas that are not grounded on very solid research,” he said.