AUGUSTA (AP) — Gov. John Baldacci is praising President Barack Obama’s job-creation plan, which the governor says could bring critical stimulus money to Maine.

In his weekly radio address, Baldacci says the president’s plan is bold, targeted and will benefit the backbone of Maine’s economy, small business. The jobs plan includes tax incentives for hiring. It also calls for new investments in roads and bridges, airports and water systems.

Baldacci also seconds Obama’s call to preserve safety net provisions in social services and helping states, like Maine, that are falling on hard budget times.

In the Republican response, House Minority Leader Josh Tardy talked about the health care reform bill in the U.S. Senate. Tardy, of Newport, says Democrats have turned it into an “absolute monstrosity” that’ll raise premiums and cut Medicare.

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