Governor says economic crisis poses test for Maine
1/10/09 | 10 comments

Governor says economic crisis poses test for Maine


By The Associated Press

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Gov. John Baldacci recalled the sacrifices made by previous generations as he told Mainers on Saturday that difficult choices are in order if Maine is to get through tough economic times.

In his weekly radio address, Baldacci reiterated his rationale for the $6.1 billion biennial budget proposal that he announced the day before.

“The task is daunting and will require all of us — working together in a spirit of cooperation and bipartisanship — to find the best path forward,” he said.

Pointing to the need to bridge an $838 million budget gap, the governor said every part of state government and the programs and services it support must share in the sacrifices.

“There will be temptations to raise broad-based taxes to support important programs,” he said. “But raising the sales or income tax to support spending is not the right approach, especially during this deep recession.”

Baldacci reviewed some of the features of his budget, including the elimination of 219 state jobs, increases in a handful of fees, cuts in tax rebate programs and an attempt to transfer some prisoners to private facilities outside Maine.

“I know this proposal will be controversial, and will be met with opposition from many people I know and respect, including corrections officers who put their lives on the line,” he said.

Baldacci ended his remarks on a note of optimism, even as he said the national economic crisis and other challenges pose a test for Maine.

“But our parents and grandparents suffered through the Depression and world wars. They understood that tough times require sacrifice and ingenuity.

“They made those tough choices and built a more prosperous world,” he said. “And we will do the same.”

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Comments
10 comments on this item
On 1/10/09 at 11:05 AM, pcme2000 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

For Baldacci to say "an attempt to transfer some prisoners to private facilities outside Maine", what is the diffrence wether they stay in state near thier families or pay for them to go out of state. Eithier way we have to pay. Keep them here within the State and keep the jobs in Maine to look over them.

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On 1/10/09 at 12:42 PM, RubyRose wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Does this mean the state of Maine won't be putting in 4 billion dollars worth of new transmission lines for the wind companys???????? I would think that would be the first thing to go...

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On 1/11/09 at 1:02 AM, seahorses wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Is Baldacci giving up his 80 - count 'em - eighty "special assistants" Are any legislators willing to give up their free health care for life? State workers give up THEIR free health care for life or 80% pensions? Funny, not a word from any of them about their having to "sacrifice" anything. And believe me, they won't.

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On 1/11/09 at 3:24 AM, clamchowdah wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

you got that right seahorses.

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On 1/11/09 at 6:21 AM, safedman wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Clam Chowder and Seahorse...Where do you get your info? Local Seafood resturant? State workers get no free anything. Do some research instead of believing what you hear.

State Worker that is sick and tired of hearing people that have no clue cry nad whine.

Want to stop the madness?? Do you really? Stop voting liberal in every election. Time for Change

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On 1/11/09 at 6:22 AM, safedman wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Clam Chowder and Seahorse...Where do you get your info? Local Seafood resturant? State workers get no free anything. Do some research instead of believing what you hear.

State Worker that is sick and tired of hearing people that have no clue cry and whine.

Want to stop the madness?? Do you really? Stop voting liberal in every election. Time for Change and not Nobama

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On 1/11/09 at 11:50 AM, sickntired wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Seems like all the sacrifice is coming from the bottom. How about some real meaningful cuts in pork barel contracts to Baldys buddies? How about a few less expensive studys before taking on a project that goes to out of state engineering firms? Keep the money here. And how in hell does it cost 6+ billion to run a state with as small of a population as Maine? It seems to me they could consolidate a load of these departments under one management team and cut costs and waste from the top down instead of always looking to cut services to the poor and middle class. Cutting a few state workers in not a meaningful effort to create real savings.

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On 1/12/09 at 11:56 AM, WRofGlenburn wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

On 1/10/09 at 12:42 PM, RubyRose wrote:

"Does this mean the state of Maine won't be putting in 4 billion dollars worth of new transmission lines for the wind companys???????? I would think that would be the first thing to go..."

Ruby you don't get it! The transmission lines won't cost the state a dime. The utility ratepayers (you & I) will pick up the tab to the benefit of all those Massachusetts user's. Apparently Mass can't build windmills in the pristine Bay State because the Kennedy's view might be spoiled. So, we have the responsibility to upgrade the transmission lines that so Hyannis can have "green" power. The State approves it, we pay for it!

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On 1/12/09 at 12:16 PM, RubyRose wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

WRofGlenburn I do get it, I am sorry if I said it wrong, by saying the state of Maine would be paying for transmission lines I meant Us the ratepayers. We do make up the state of Maine. Seems like there are alot of things our state needs more right now than transmission lines to get power for another state. I can't see where the ratepayers can afford to add the costs of this to our already very high light bills. It is Baldacci that is pushing all of this onto us. So I would think its his call to stop it, this is not one of the sacrifices we should be making at this time.

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On 1/12/09 at 7:56 PM, taxedtodeath1 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Baldacci having to make the tough choices cutting 219 jobs. Baldacci step down as governor and save us your financial genius. The jobs wouldn't need to be cut if you would do your job. Dirigo insurance ring a bell....How many jobs could have been saved with the money from the financial fiasco!!!

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