The five candidates for governor undoubtedly have plans for leaving their mark on state government. To sharpen their goals, they would do well to review the recent past and what the five governors who preceded the present Blaine House occupant accomplished. That list of past governors includes two Democrats, one Republican and two independents. They faced a wide range of national economic conditions. Some of those accomplishments may be viewed through today’s lens as building bureaucracy. Some may be seen as moves that pushed Maine forward.
An October 2006 report by Laurie Lachance, president and CEO of the non-partisan Maine Development Foundation, compiles the best of what each governor achieved. The “In Search of Silver Buckshot” report — so named because it concluded that instead of a “silver bullet,” Maine needed several smaller approaches to boost its economy — uses the gubernatorial compendium as a jumping-off point for its recommendations. (See mdf.org for the complete report.)
The list, which focuses on economic matters, is interesting. Seen over time, at its worst it suggests a zigzag approach to economic development. At its best, it shows boldness in trying new approaches.
Gov. Ken Curtis, a Democrat elected in 1966 and 1970, is credited with working with a Republican-controlled Legislature to consolidate and modernize state government. Gov. Curtis established the state income tax, which Ms. Lachance writes “created balance in Maine’s tax structure” by easing the burden on sales and property taxes. He also consolidated more than 200 separate state agencies into 15 departments, “creating efficiencies and improving effectiveness.”
Gov. Curtis also created the university system by joining the separate state colleges under a chancellor’s office and created the State Planning Office to tackle longer-term economic, energy and natural resource policy.
Gov. James Longley, the nation’s first independent governor, elected in 1974, served one term. Among his accomplishments are creating a tax credit for job creation, helping settle the American Indian lands claim case and introducing the bottle bill and anti-billboard law.
Gov. Joe Brennan, a Democrat who served 1979-1986, created the Finance Authority of Maine and the Municipal Bond Bank. He also began using state bond authority “to stimulate private infrastructure investment,” Ms. Lachance writes, which helped Bath Iron Works build a dry dock in Portland. Gov. Brennan implemented the three-port shipping strategy, upgraded the university system and elevated the status of the vocational and technical postsecondary school system.
Republican John McKernan faced “a regional economic downturn of historic proportions,” Ms. Lachance writes, limiting his options. Yet he created the Department of Economic and Community Development and the Land for Maine’s Future program. Gov. McKernan reformed the workers’ compensation insurance system, despite a standoff with Democrats that led to a 13-day state government shutdown, and reduced rates that were crippling many businesses.
Gov. Angus King, another independent, elected in 1994, launched school, library and technology initiatives (including the laptop program); restructured electric utilities; and established the tax increment financing and business equipment tax reimbursement programs.
Some programs have outlived, or perhaps outgrown, their usefulness. Some need to be strengthened. The next governor must weigh what works and what doesn’t before acting. This report can guide that work.