The numbers are not new, nor are many of the solutions, but a just released legislative report on the exodus of young people from Maine once again highlights a pressing problem. Based on a vague definition of a complex economic and demographic issue – “Maine’s youth are leaving the state in large numbers” – the task force came up with numerous suggestions for solving the problem, ranging from lower university tuition to loan repayment programs to marketing campaigns. They may all be good ideas, but until lawmakers and others more clearly define the problem their proposed solutions are likely to miss the mark.

While census data show that the population of people under 35 declined in Maine between 1990 and 2000, the decline was not spread evenly across the state. The percentage of the population between 18 and 24, for example, declined 2.4 percent in Aroostook County between 1990 and 2000, but only 1.4 percent in Hancock Country during the same time. Most telling, however, is that the declines in the percentage of the population between 25 and 44, not the group that is typically most talked about by those concerned with “brain drain,” dropped even more, but again not evenly across the state. In Aroostook County, the drop was 5.7 percent but half that in Penobscot.

Despite its weaknesses, the Final Report of the Presiding Officers’ Advisory Task Force on Creating a Future for Youth in Maine recommended changes and new programs that should take place, whether they encourage young people to come to Maine or not.

The most recent “Measures of Growth” from the Maine Development Foundation gave the state a red flag for college degree attainment. Maine has, by far, the lowest percentage of residents with at least a bachelor’s degree in New England. The regional average is 35 percent. Only 25 percent of Maine residents have bachelor’s degrees.

One impediment to higher education is cost and the average in-state tuition and fees in Maine’s public universities and colleges were 50 percent higher than the national average, and 3.5 percent higher than the New England average from 1994 to 2001. So, the group’s suggestion to lower tuition, especially for graduate students, is a good one. Ditto for getting the university system and community colleges to work more closely together, something that has long been done in other states but only began in earnest here a year ago.

Other worthwhile changes are measures sponsored by Rep. Jeremy Fischer, D-Presque Isle. The 24-year-old, who attended the University of Michigan before returning to his hometown to work, has proposed that the state gather information on all the loan forgiveness and repayment programs it now offers. These programs could then be consolidated into a repayment program that offers incentives to any college graduate who wants to come to Maine to work in industries or regions that need young employees.

Employers should be encouraged to view such loan repayment as a way to offer what are essentially higher wages. Rep. Fischer is also wise to frame the issue as one of attracting young people, from anywhere, to Maine rather than simply trying to keep Maine’s young people here.

These proposals are small steps, but ones that should help Maine move in the right direction.