This is in response to Arthur Gagne’s letter to the editor (March 20).

Gagne believes that the right-to-work bill that is moving through the Maine Legislature and other free-bargaining states is good for Maine. He was responding to a letter from David McKeone that was published March 9. Both Gagne and McKeone want people to look at the facts regarding right-to-work laws.

So I looked up the facts.

There are, as of now, 22 states that are called right-to-work states and 28 states that are called free bargaining states. The average annual pay of the RTW states is $39,169 compared to the FB states with an average of $44,707. The median household income is $46,328 in RTW states and $52,513 in FB states. In addition, the poverty rate is 15 percent in RTW states and 12.8 percent in FB states.

It seems to me, given this data, that McKeone was right to name the bill as the “Right to Work for Less” bill. This bill is not right for Maine. It is too extreme and unfair for the state, where fairness and reason have always prevailed.

Furthermore, one should wonder why Paul LePage never brought up the subject of a right-to-work bill during his campaign. Was it after the Maine Heritage Policy Center sent its wish list to the governor?

The real purpose and ramifications of the proposed bill for the workers of Maine must be considered.

James E. Hewey, Lisbon Falls