Interstate business relocation decisions involve more than just crunching the numbers. Equally important is a full assessment of multiple “quality of life” issues surrounding the move.

While Maine might wish to attract a healthy influx of out-of-state businesses to help grow its economy, recent self-inflicted attacks on the Maine “brand” make that prospect increasingly unlikely.

Most Mainers understand that the success of any new business is directly tied to the quality of life available to its owners and their employees.

Unfortunately, the new Republican tea party-backed governor just doesn’t get it.

Gov. Paul LePage has been openly disrespectful toward the women of Maine and has simultaneously shown his disdain for a group representing  a minority, public servants, educators, the media and Maine working families.

Republican members of the state Legislature are now aggressively attacking environmental protections for Maine’s air, water and forests, and are working hard to weaken the child safety and child labor laws.

That is also the same crowd that promotes larger classroom sizes as a fix for education.

Meanwhile, the labor mural saga continues. Not since the Taliban began wantonly destroying their own treasured antiquities, has there been such a mean-spirited, and partisan attack on a people’s heritage, history and arts community.

While the fancy new Turnpike sign may proclaim that Maine is “Open for business,” the ever-worsening climate here in Maine would suggest that any new business should, at best, “proceed with caution.”

Rich Byard, Auburn