Everywhere, people are complaining about money; mostly people in our state, but no one does anything about it.

State officials say state income is $60 million short; then they say $100 million. And CMMC is owed $56 million, or is it $59 million. That’s why it had a layoff of 35 employees. I am sure many other medical facilities are also owed money. And no one knows what happened to the $100 million. Are state officials afraid to find out where the money is going? Shouldn’t take much to find out.

Legislators have raised the tax on cigarettes. Where is that money? There are more gambling games that take money from the poor, who hope to win and get out of the slums. Then there is state advertising that probably costs millions … that is really brilliant.

I would say voters need to clean out Augusta completely and do an audit on all systems, then reduce the amount of money being paid to some state workers. I heard about some Maine Turnpike employees who make $80,000 per year. No wonder the state is broke. I could hold a cup of coffee and lean on a shovel for $80,000 a year.

State administrators cut DHHS money and food to the poor, yet give themselves raises. Doesn’t anyone in Augusta realize how dumb that sounds?

A lot of people have been there too long. Elected officials need to be changed out.

Augusta needs help.

Freeman Lewis, South Paris