At the end of the next session, I’m sure Maine residents will understand that their representatives didn’t have the time to address taxation but had the time to debate the merits of changing time zones.

I’m sure our recent college graduates, forced to leave the state for employment opportunities out of state, will find it comforting their elected officials put so much focus into making Moxie the official Maine soft drink.

I’m sure the men and women who have lost their jobs because their company left the state, no longer able to absorb the excessive taxation, are thrilled their legislators found the time to ponder the merits of whether or not we should have laws that protect dogs left outside. I have two dogs, but I’m more concerned about the unemployed men and women who have been left outside.

That nickel deposit you pay for each container when you buy beverages? A couple of sessions ago legislation was introduced to put a deposit on cigarette butts. Fortunately that one was snuffed out.

The list goes on and on. According to Speaker of the House John Richardson, more than 2,100 bills were introduced this year. Each bill could cost thousands of dollars. The real price we pay is the cost our elected officials in Augusta burden us with as they continue to focus on insipid, “feel good” legislation.

A lot of people ran for the Legislature with the promise of improving Maine’s economic climate. This doesn’t seem to be a very good start.

J. Paul Spellman, Auburn

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