When will politicians in Augusta realize that their decisions impact people’s livelihoods? Voting time and time again to raise taxes hurts working families. Imposing crushing regulations on small businesses forces jobs out of Maine and into other states that support them.

Creating a state-run health care program that does not help uninsured citizens afford health care is a waste of time and people’s money.

All of these irresponsible actions were brought to light recently in the Maine Economic Research Institute’s report on Maine’s business climate, where almost every Democrat legislator received a score of “poor” in regard to their voting record on business issues. This means that these legislators have consistently voted to raise taxes, over-regulate businesses and increase the cost of health care.

MERI points to excessive government spending as a key problem with Maine’s economy, and it is not difficult to see where the incentive for this spending comes from.

Augusta Democrats proposed borrowing over $400 million last year just to keep state government functioning. That is not fiscal responsibility, just as the millions of dollars in new taxes and fees is not helpful to working families and small businesses.

It is time for a serious change in Augusta. We need a new governor and new Legislature that acts to address these pressing problems, not whitewash them with slick rhetoric and empty promises.

Nathaniel Walton, Lewiston