Maine, on the other hand, remains a Democratic state after Tuesday’s election and voters rejected questions of wholesale change in favor of the status quo.

Democrats maintained control of the state government. In the House, the majority appears to have narrowed slightly. In the Senate, Democrats appeared to keep a thin margin, with an 18-17 or 19-16 majority.

Two ballot questions – one which would have radically changed the financing of local government by capping property taxes, and the other which would have banned certain methods of bear hunting – were defeated.

State leaders, able to breathe easier for the first time in months, should not read the election as a mandate to ignore the serious budget and taxation issues facing the state. They have been given a reprieve by voters, who remain angry about Maine’s high property tax burden. They’ve been given another chance to bring the state’s spending in line with revenues.

Gov. Baldacci, speaking Tuesday night, promised that tax reform would be his first priority when the Legislature returns next year. It better be.

Before the election, there was this perceived anger among voters. They were angry about taxes, angry at Augusta, itching for change. That anger failed to materialize when the votes were counted – at least on state issues.

With a House and Senate not much changed, it will fall to the governor to provide significant leadership and craft a compromise that reaches across party lines. Already, the governor has a Cabinet summit planned for early next week to work on a plan.

While the big picture remained steady, some familiar names won’t be returning to Augusta. Republican leader Joe Bruno failed in his attempt to move from the House to the Senate, while popular Republican Rep. Lois Snowe-Mello defeated Democrat Sen. Neria Douglass. And John Nutting makes a return to Augusta by capturing the open Senate seat in District 17, which includes Lisbon and Livermore Falls.

Now that the election – except for possible recounts in tight races – is over, the work of governing begins again. There’s much to be done and the voters aren’t likely to be patient.