Well, all state employees have been under the microscope and scrutiny of many for the last few months so would like to say "Thank You" for what you do for our fair state and I hope these shutdown days off do not cause too much of a hardship for any.... Everyone have a pleasant and SAFE holiday weekend! Wouldn't it be great to look at the news next week and not read any news stories about accidents, death and dying, lost people, criminal activity etc? May be wishing too much but let's try and make the news stories next week be lacking such things!!

THIS IS WERE ARE TAXES GO,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, SORRY MAINE

I bet the Bald Man in the Blaine House still gets a good payday.

They will just pay overtime to make up for the work that was not completed!

Nice to get 2 days off with pay, they deserve it.

Seems everyone hates State workers. But someone has to do the job. I bet the ones that complain would be the first ones in line for a State job.

Yes, thank you State employees, especially seasonal employees, who taxpayers pay health insurance, pension and vacation days for. Isn't it great to work for only 10 or 12 weeks a year and get a full boat of benefits? Wake up Mainers! The MSEU (Maine Socialist Employyees Union) is destroying our State. Most State employee functions could be privatized at a more efficient and affordable rate. Workplace Nirvana should not be sought on the backs of taxpayers.

Shut-down days mean no pay. That's why it's a budgetary item of "savings." "TruthinMaine," don't know where you derive your stats and info ("fullboat of benefits, 10-12 weeks of work/year?"), but there are no state jobs that come close to what is paid in the private sector for the same work. Those of you who grouse (CONSTANTLY, I might say) about stay pay and state workers, simply generalize b/c of a few individuals you may (or not) know...it's funny how uninformed you are.

The shutdown days will certainly inconvenience some people, but the outrageous Maine taxes are making it very difficult for people to stay in this state... and it's going to get even worse on January 1st when all of the higher and far-reaching taxes kick-in. Just wait; taxes are going up in a BIG way for most Mainers, but a lot of people don't seem to know it yet. Get ready for the People's Veto of the so-called tax reform, LD 1495, as the signature petitions are now beginning to get out on the streets.

It’s time for these wasteful political games with our tax dollars to stop! Although it won't be easy, it must get done! If you believe the state should cut spending, come join the solution at Maine Taxpayers United, www.MaineTaxpayers.com

and now on Facebook. BTW, the mission of ‘Maine Taxpayers United’ is to reduce the Maine tax burden and promote prudent government spending. We The People run this state and country, despite what the crooked politicians might want to believe.

BTW, Here's another good website for us concerned taxpayers of Maine: Citizens Alliance of Maine at http://mainealliance.com.

Happy 4th!

The hard working and honest state workers have been shafted by both sides - our Maine legislators and their greedy union bosses at MSEA-SEIU Local 1989 whom only seemed concerned about themselves and not the members. It's time for Belcher to get replaced with a more qualified leader.

Maybe our next governor will put everything back in place and stop spending money this state can't afford