AUGUSTA (AP) — Gov. Paul LePage declared Tuesday night that Maine has made a turn toward economic recovery, but said much more needs to be done to complete the job by making the state and its job creators competitive.
In his first State of the State speech since he took office just over a year ago, the governor challenged lawmakers to become outraged over Mainers’ lower-than-average incomes and higher-than-average energy costs.
Interrupted several times by enthusiastic ovations in the House-Senate session, his speech pleased not only fellow Republicans but minority Democrats who had called on him a day earlier to avoid “extreme ideology.”
“This was the most positive of the speeches he’s brought before us,” said the House Democratic leader, Rep. Emily Ann Cain of Orono, after the speech. But she warned “the devil’s in the details.”
The governor listed accomplishments to date, including eliminating income taxes for nearly 70,000 Maine residents. A huge shortfall in the state pension system’s been reduced, unemployment has dropped and red tape cut during his first year in office, said LePage, reading from printed pages instead of using a teleprompter.
“I am pleased to report that in the last year, we have taken a right turn on the road to economic recovery,” LePage said.
Addressing one of his core issues, he said energy prices are “unacceptable” in Maine, where they are the nation’s 12th highest. Those costs take $400 million out of the economy, he said.
“That should make you all outraged,” he said. LePage said he’s met with natural gas companies, oil dealers, electric utilities and biomass suppliers to learn how to lower Mainers’ overall energy prices.
His energy policy will focus on all forms of energy, and letting the free market system decide what energy sources are sustainable for Maine’s people, said LePage. While he called energy conservation an important goal, he said government programs that use taxpayer dollars for energy efficiency must be cost-effective.
While energy prices are high, incomes are 18 percent below that national average. The state median, $47,708, is also well behind that of neighboring New Hampshire, at $60,734, said LePage, who called it “sad, really, really sad.”
“So I ask all of you, where is the outrage? Why should many Mainers live in poverty while our neighbors on the other side of lines drawn on a map earn a far better income and lead much more prosperous lives?” LePage said. “My friends in in the Legislature, it’s time to be outraged.”
The governor said Maine still faces fiscal challenges including unsustainably high costs of programs run through the state Health and Human Services Department. Now it’s time, he said, to confront a $221 million budget shortfall or many social services will be lost in early April.
LePage, who grew up poor and homeless, said he has “a unique understanding of what it means to help.” But he added, “We cannot be all things to all people.”
“This is not political rhetoric. We must stop promising people a free lunch while those working in Maine are earning below the national average. It is unfair to promise people they can get things free when the resulting bills are not being paid,” LePage said.
Addressing another core issue, LePage challenged Maine to lead the nation in education while “putting students first.”
One of the keys, improving teacher effectiveness, will be the focus of bills LePage promised to submit later this session. He also wants to ensure every student has access to a wider array of educational opportunities, such as career and technical centers, and studying trades.
“My hobby is making furniture. Working with furniture requires a strong working knowledge of geometry. Some kids aren’t going to pick up geometry in a textbook, but will in the context of trades such as woodworking, welding or machining,” he told lawmakers.
LePage made another, much more somber, personal reference, when he addressed the issue of domestic violence. Of the 23 murders last year, 11 involved domestic violence, he said.
“I am sad to say that my childhood memories are ravaged with domestic violence,” he said. “Those memories are not pleasant, but I share my past to help end domestic abuse today, and going forward,” said LePage, who was born into an impoverished family in Lewiston and became homeless as a youth.
He challenged Mainers to make domestic violence a men’s rather than women’s issue, because 80 percent of domestic abuse is at the hands of men.
LePage said he’s worked with judges and law enforcement to toughen the domestic violence laws. Loopholes in the bail system must be closed, and the most dangerous offenders must appear before judges before bail is set, he said.
LePage said he will push for more tax changes this year, focusing on policies to keep retirees from leaving Maine so they will continue to support businesses in the state.
“We must break the cycle where retired Mainers live in Florida for six months and a day to avoid our high taxes,” said LePage. “It’s one thing to go South for some beach weather in January and February; it’s entirely different than when you have to escape the tax man.”
The governor concluded with a challenge to lawmakers, saying the road to economic recovery and prosperity “is challenging.”
“In order to succeed, we must put politics and gridlock aside,” he said.
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- Maine Gov. Paul LePage acknowledges members in the gallery prior to delivering his first State of the State address at the State House in Augusta, Maine, on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012. LePage focused on job creation, education and energy during his speech. (AP Photo/Pat Wellenbach)
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