The Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting (MCPIR) released its first story last week, which was published in the Bangor Daily News, the Lewiston Sun Journal, The Ellsworth American and Mount Desert Islander.
The story was researched and written by center founder John Christie, former publisher of the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel and a 40-year veteran of the newspaper business.
“At a time when newsrooms are shrinking and the ability of traditional media outlets to conduct in-depth investigations is diminished, the goal of the center is to help inform Maine citizens about the actions of their government and the state’s public servants,” said Christie.
The story examined the role of money, influence and personal relationships in Gov. John Baldacci’s handling of tax reform legislation in 2009.
MCPIR will be incorporated as a non-profit and will be funded by foundations and donors, according to Christie. It is non-partisan and unaffiliated with any interest groups. “I hope readers of the center’s first story will get a better understanding of the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that favored some interests but not others in an issue as vital to Maine citizens as they way they are taxed,” he added.
Christie can be reached at mainecenter@gmail.com or at (207) 458-2023.