AUGUSTA — Local lawmakers were mostly pleased with Gov. John Baldacci’s State of the State address Thursday night, finding his tone optimistic and his policies forward-looking in a tough economic climate.

“The governor is still feisty; he’s still got a fighting spirit, and he’s determined, in education for example, that the consolidation and administrative changes are going to handle our budget problems,” said state Rep. Dick Wagner, D-Lewiston.

“I’m not sure I agree with him on that,” Wagner said. “I’m really worried about the effect on the classroom. I worry that everything is going to be tossed back on municipalities and the effect on local taxes and so on. We just don’t know.”

Wagner was disappointed that Baldacci renewed his pledge not to raise taxes.

“I think that’s something we should have as an option,” Wagner said.

State Rep. Mike Lajoie, D-Lewiston, said it’s clear that the economic recovery is going to take time, but he’s happy with the direction the governor is taking.

“I think it’s time we look at the future,” Lajoie said. “I think we have the resources to accomplish that task, and I think overall we’re going in the right direction. But it’s going to take a few years. It’s not going to happen overnight.”

State Rep. Lance Harvell, R-Farmington, praised the governor’s pledge not to raise taxes, but disagreed with his support of the tax reform package passed last year. It will be on the ballot in June.

Harvell said he thought Baldacci’s pledge not to raise taxes was a wise policy.

“He’s right for the approach that you just can’t reach for the sales tax every time you need it,” Harvell said. “If we need it this time, what are we going to do next time? We’ve got to hold the line on this.”

State Rep. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, said Baldacci was right to highlight Maine people as the state’s best resource.

“One of the most important points that he made is that we are Mainers; we’re resilient and we’re facing some enormous challenges, but we are resilient people, we will come through this,” she said. “The best days for Maine are ahead of us.” 

On tax reform, she said she appreciated Baldacci’s willingness to fight to keep it.

Rotundo, who serves on the Appropriations Committee, said it’s also important to realize that lawmakers are just beginning to decide how to close the $438 million budget shortfall.

“There’s a long process involved and the Legislature is going to be looking very carefully at the proposals that (Baldacci) made,” she said.

rmetzler@sunjournal.com

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