AUGUSTA – Gov. John Baldacci drew bipartisan support Tuesday night from Twin Cities legislators for several proposals aimed at boosting Maine’s economic growth.
But the local representatives split along party lines over several of Baldacci’s initiatives, including health care programs, with Republicans panning Dirigo Health while Democrats applauded its success to date in signing up 3,000 Mainers.
Sen. Lois Snowe-Mello, R-Poland, said the program was a failure and cost the state too much money. Rep. Tom Shields, R-Auburn, a doctor, said Baldacci needs to address the problem of high health insurance rates for all Mainers, not just workers at small businesses.
Sen. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, said she got “excited” about putting more money into research and development of cures and treatment for five major diseases, as well as new affiliated college programs.
Baldacci said the state should borrow more money for those and other programs, noting the state’s per capita debt is 30 percent below the national average.
But Shields said that’s not a good reason for passing a bond package. Republicans rejected Baldacci’s last borrowing plan. Shields said Baldacci needs to scale down his bond proposal to a more modest $40 million and stick to transportation, environmental and Land for Maine’s Future projects.
“I don’t think the Republicans are going to have a problem with that,” Shields said.
Democrats jumped to their feet, applauding hardest when Baldacci talked about the recent passage of his tax relief package.
Rep. Sonya Sampson, D-Auburn, who heads the Androscoggin legislative delegation, said she forgave Baldacci’s boasting and was “just thrilled that we’ve finally come up with a proposal that does bring relief to Mainers,” despite the need for future tax reform.
But Snowe-Mello, who voted against the bill, said there are still problems with the school funding formula, which will actually result in tax increases for many Maine communities.
All members of the delegation said they were pleased that Lewiston’s two mayors, brothers Lionel and Norman Guay, were recognized in the audience by Baldacci for their cooperative approach to providing city services. Baldacci announced a $15,000 grant to support their collaborative efforts.
Shields praised Baldacci’s attention to environmental concerns, including state purchase of more hybrid cars and smaller vehicles. He scoffed at the governor’s legislative proposal that would provide incentives for purchase and installation of solar energy systems, saying, “Didn’t we try that 15 or 20 years ago?”
Legislative leaders gave generally mixed reaction to the speech, with Democrats encouraged by the positive spin and Republicans largely unimpressed.
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