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Poll results

As Mainebiz recently reported in the "By the Numbers" section of our Daily Report, a new study shows the state has 119,591 regulations on its books, containing 8.7 million words.

For years, many Mainers have criticized complex state regulations as a roadblock to business. But until recently, there's been little study of how big that roadblock may be.

The analysis, by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, found a wide range in the complexity of regulations across 44 states. California had the highest number, estimated at 396,000, while 16 states had fewer than 100,000 regs. Maine's total was about in the middle of the range.

(FYI, "By the Numbers" is some of the Mainebiz content available only to subscribers who receive the Daily Report. For subscribing information, click here.)

Are Maine's tens of thousands of regulations too much of an obstacle to doing business here?
Yes. The amount of red tape for Maine businesses is unreasonable and overwhelming. (60%, 49 VOTES)
No. While there may be a lot of regs, that's to be expected in a complex, 21st-century economy. (40%, 33 VOTES)
Poll Description

As Mainebiz recently reported in the "By the Numbers" section of our Daily Report, a new study shows the state has 119,591 regulations on its books, containing 8.7 million words.

For years, many Mainers have criticized complex state regulations as a roadblock to business. But until recently, there's been little study of how big that roadblock may be.

The analysis, by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, found a wide range in the complexity of regulations across 44 states. California had the highest number, estimated at 396,000, while 16 states had fewer than 100,000 regs. Maine's total was about in the middle of the range.

(FYI, "By the Numbers" is some of the Mainebiz content available only to subscribers who receive the Daily Report. For subscribing information, click here.)

  • 82 Votes
  • 2 Comments
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2 Comments

  • October 7, 2020

    119,561 regulations on business are too many for any company to fully understand. Add this to Maine's heavy tax rate, and moving our businesses to NH seems to make a lot of sense. How about for every new regulation added that the legislature has to remove two old and out of date ones.

  • Robert Yates
    October 7, 2020

    Between the taxes and regulations, they are apt to have companies look elsewhere where they do not have so many obstacles to overcome.