AUGUSTA (AP) – Gov. John Baldacci today will deliver the first in what will become a weekly series of five-minute radio addresses.

The talks will air on some three dozen stations across the state and be carried online on public radio and the governor’s Web site. The addresses will air at various times in the morning and early this afternoon and Sunday. More stations are expected to be added the following weekend.

Baldacci said Saturday’s weekly address will be the first by a Maine governor. Chief executives of California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Hawaii also provide scheduled radio addresses, he said.

The Democratic governor said his addresses will update Mainers about what’s happening in Augusta and provide them with information about the issues of the day. His initial topic will deal with the most prominent issue currently in the State House, education reform.

“We live in an era where a transparent executive office is expected,” said Baldacci said in announcing his weekly talks. Baldacci said he hopes he sets an example for future governors to “take advantage of this opportunity to further engage the people of Maine.”

Minority Republicans in the House and Senate said they will provide responses to the Baldacci’s weekly addresses.

The first response will be delivered by House Republican Leader Josh Tardy of Newport, and each week a Republican member of the Senate will alternate with a GOP member of the House to provide that party’s perspective on issues.

Baldacci spokesman David Farmer said Friday that many of the stations which carry the president’s weekly radio address will also carry Baldacci’s.

Stations signed on to carry Baldacci’s broadcasts Saturday are in the Portland, Augusta-Waterville, Midcoast, Bangor-Ellsworth and Aroostook County markets. It will also be carried online on Maine Public Radio.

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On the Net:

Gov. John Baldacci’s Website: http://www.maine.gov/governor/baldacci/index.shtml

Maine Public Radio: www.mainepublicradio.org

AP-ES-03-09-07 1421EST