Let me preface this piece by pointing out one very important thing: Gov. Paul LePage and the Republican majority have been in office for six months. The Democrats have been in the majority for approximately 36 years … so everything you wanted concerning change will need a little more time!

Having clarified that, I will continue. We have all been listening to the apocalyptic rhetoric from Augusta, and you would think the world was coming to an end tomorrow with the changes proposed! (Some of us do believe in the rapture, but trust me, it has not happened yet). Let’s be clear, there are not too many people in the mainstream media or the Democratic party who would give Gov. LePage or the Republicans in the Legislature a life jacket if they were drowning, but would instead throw them an anchor. So what makes you think they would give any credit with regard to accomplishments? My goodness, folks, this is a budget that is mapping out the plan of how they will spend our $6.1 billion over the next two years and change the way government does business moving forward. In case you folks under the dome forgot: This is not your money, Mr. and Mrs. politician;  it is the taxpayers’ money!

 I applaud both sides for their hard work and ability to compromise, but I do think the Republicans made a critical mistake in the strategy for passing the budget. The Republicans should have passed the budget by the March 31 deadline.

There are several areas of compromise that are very troubling to me, and should be for you, the taxpayers. The final version that was introduced out of committee was altered in a major way. The governor’s budget had proposed all sorts of entitlement funding that was eliminated or compromised away.

 Gone was a higher public employee contribution to their retirement fund. Also compromised were tax cuts.  Even though they passed $153 million in tax cuts, the largest in Maine’s history, the original amount was $203 million (3.3 percent of the total budget). This was a staggering 25 percent cut from the original amount and many of the cuts included do not take effect until the second year of the budget, July 2012-July 2013.

I was, however, amazed at a comment from the Democratic minority leader, Emily Cain, D-Orono, to an editorial board of another Maine paper: “My caucus hates these tax cuts. It hates them.” And then she repeated the comment: “They hate these tax cuts. They hate them.”

Really? What issues do the Democrats have with taking 70,000 Maine families off the tax rolls, everybody else paying less in income taxes and bringing the Maine code back in line with the federal code?

By the way, does this mean you folks in Lewiston are basically screwed because you don’t have any Republican representatives who believe you should keep more of your money? Their response is taken from the Democratic playbook: “Tax breaks for the wealthiest of Maine people.” Really? But, I digress.

 Tax Cuts = Grade C

The other major area of reform is welfare. The jury is still out on that, but keeping the single adults as recipients of services such as food stamps, MaineCare and all other services is troubling.

One good part is the cooperation between the Attorney General’s office and Department of Health and Human Services on the investigation of fraud and abuse. There should be significant savings in that area. Maybe now, when somebody calls to report a potential issue, there will be somebody at the other end of the phone who will actually investigate!

The legislation also imposes a 60-month lifetime limit on benefits. Finally, a true safety net instead of a hammock! Another encouraging, positive aspect is drug testing for recipients of welfare benefits. If you refuse, you lose! Temporary Aid to Needy Families will now require recipients to sign a “family contract” that will include specific requirements in order to receive benefits.

 Welfare Reform = Grade D

Pension/state employee reform was the other major area where change is essential in the budget. This is strictly a political move on the part of the Legislature. The fact is that the Maine State Employees Association will never back the Republican majority, so why not make the changes that will be good for everyone, especially the taxpayers?

 Pension Reform = Grade F

 Overall Budget = Grade D

As for the Legislature, there were many items addressed that will have a positive long-term effect. The most sweeping change is the passage of LD 1333 “An Act to Modify Rating Practices for Individual and Small-Group Health Plans  …” which encourages competition in the health-insurance market. This alone will have a major impact  on the pocketbook of every family and business in Maine!

 There were also sweeping changes with the election process with LD 1376 “An Act to Preserve the Integrity of the Voter Registration and Election Process” that deals with same-day registration. The truth is that there are 247 days that someone can register to vote.

The other bill, LD 199 “An Act to Strengthen Maine’s Election Laws Requiring Photograph Identification for the Purpose for Voting” was introduced by my good friend Rich Cebra, R-Naples. I am disappointed the Senate has decided to hold this over till next year, but I hope it will pass. You can’t even return an item at Walmart without a receipt and a photo ID, but you can vote without showing who you are.

The final area involved in sweeping change was the Maine Turnpike Authority. Kudos to interim Commissioner Peter Mills.

There is one indisputable fact: this Legislature and Gov. LePage have accomplished more than any other during my 20 years in Maine. They have surpassed my expectations and those of many other folks from around the state. As we approach the second half of the legislative session, the minority will be ratcheting up the rhetoric even more because of the success of the Republicans and the governor!

Overall Performance of the 125th Legislature = B

 Just remember, we are at this point, fiscally and socially, because of incremental changes made by the progressive movement. It will take some time to incrementally move us back to the conservative policies and fiscal sanity.

 That is my opinion and I would like to hear yours. I can be reached by email, [email protected].

Scott Lansley is a Sabattus Selectman, Political Director for Maine Taxpayers United and former State Representative.