Economic expansions occur locally when jobs are created and filled. When jobs are not filled within a certain amount of time, labor shortages occur. If jobs are unfilled after “competitive wages” are enacted, then economic expansions switch to downturns. Right now in Lewiston and Auburn there are entry level jobs opening up. However, a number remain open.

If people saw this as a “situation,” those able to obtain a secondary job would do so. Since it’s human nature to wait until wages go up, before accepting the responsibility of volunteering to halt a labor shortage, the local economy becomes at risk.

Now add to that if the Taxpayer Bill of Rights really boosts our economy like people say. That means people will save money and use more time spending it. If TABOR affects our economy negatively, then more people will hunt down secondary jobs just to maintain their standard of living. If the state of Maine’s welfare reforms influence people to take up all available entry-level jobs to stop a labor shortage that’s good. If there aren’t enough jobs to go around, then crime will increase, which is bad.

The solution is for people to take secondary jobs now to increase local consumer spending. This way, others will be able to gain a job to merely sustain, without turning to crime. If TABOR or welfare reforms hit us hard, as a region we will have an economic barrier in place.

Douglas Papa, Lewiston