Throughout the recent letters and editorials in this newspaper runs a strain of lament about the loss of the 18,000 manufacturing jobs and the flight of young people from Maine over the past several years. The reasons for these events are not addressed.

In spite of TIF’s and the BETR program, in plain terms, the cost is high to start and maintain a business in Maine, when elsewhere it can be done cheaper and easier. We rank 48th in being receptive to small business. Maine is an attractive place except for the establishment of a business. Both the businesses and their employees have a heavy state tax burden. These revenues support an expensive and inefficient state government and its programs.

Without the businesses, there are no jobs for our young people.

Let me repeat that. Without the businesses there are no jobs for our young people.

Now what political party (one that has had the majority in the Legislature for the past 20 to 30 years) do you suppose voted for all of those business taxes and fees, unemployment and worker compensation costs, etc.? It is the same one that still hasn’t figured out why young people are leaving Maine.

Rep. Thomas F. Shields, Auburn

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