Maine businesses need government to get out of the way, and let them grow this economy again. That’s why I pushed for the creation of the nation’s first Small Business Advocate, a resource for Maine small business owners facing burdensome paperwork requirements, complex state laws, and overzealous regulators.

The Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting recently wrote about Maine’s Small Business Advocate (Aug. 22). Unfortunately, its reporters overlooked key facts and neglected to mention details in places, providing an incomplete picture of the yeoman’s work the Small Business Advocate has done on behalf of Mainers in the short time since the position was created.

Small business owners across the state have told me that an adversarial bureaucracy was holding them back from growing. They don’t have the resources for lawyers or consultants to help them navigate the complex regulatory waters of Augusta. I saw a clear opportunity to put government back on the side of small businesses by assigning an independent representative to fight on their behalf.

The advocate serves as an independent, accountable and appropriate check on the state’s efforts to regulate Maine’s businesses.

As small business owners across the state know, a business-friendly regulatory climate drives private sector job growth. Small businesses — not government — are the source of growth in our state, and the advocate’s office works tirelessly on their behalf to ensure Mainers get a fair shake from their government.

Government works for the people, not the other way around. It is time to end the contentious relationship between business and government. We must foster a pro-growth climate that will provide job creators with the economic certainty they need to grow and succeed.

The advocate’s office has shone a bright light on the detrimental impact that overbearing regulations can have on small businesses.

I believe firmly that we need to get government out of the way, so we can let our small businesses grow this economy again. That’s why I created the office of the Small Business Advocate.

Maine businesses need someone who knows what it’s like to work late nights to make sure bills are paid. My experience as a small business owner is something that has shaped my perspective on government and I work to make sure our hard-working men and women have a voice.

Maine Secretary of State Charlie Summers, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate.