Maine delegation reaction to State of the Union address

Republican Sen. Olympia J. Snowe
“In the president’s State of the Union address, he rightly spoke to the urgency of a national imperative for a legislative agenda that focuses like a laser on grappling with burgeoning national debt and creating an environment for economic growth and job creation. This was a message delivered loud and clear in November when the American people repudiated the expansionist government and its staggering disconnect with the rest of the country as they have witnessed the withering of our main streets and the erosion of their personal financial security resulting from policies that stifled America’s entrepreneurial spirit and squandered the hard-earned tax paying dollars of working Americans.
“I understand and share that frustration, and it is imperative that Republicans and Democrats alike coalesce around an agenda that recalibrates government’s emphasis toward pro-private sector, pro-growth, and fiscally sustainable policies that reignite America’s legendary can-do spirit.”
Republican Sen. Susan Collins
“In the year ahead, the fiscal policies that the [Obama] administration and Congress undertake must tackle our spending problem, get the economy moving again, and put Americans back to work. I agree with the president that the top priority of the administration and of Congress must be private sector job growth.
“The administration’s policies have failed to stimulate private sector investment, which is the key to creating permanent jobs. In December, Republicans and Democrats worked together to extend the 2001 and 2003 tax relief laws for two years, preventing American families and businesses from facing what would have been one of the largest tax increases in U.S. history. This was a critical step in the right direction, but more must be done to make our country a better place to do business.”
Democratic Rep. Mike Michaud
“I think the president struck the right tone in tonight’s address. I strongly agree with him that we have to make improving our economy and creating jobs our top priority. Too many Mainers continue to struggle to make ends meet, and they expect real action to boost our small businesses and manufacturers.
“I was pleased to hear the president embrace the repeal of an unnecessary bookkeeping burden that was placed on small businesses by the new health care reform law. I worked with my Democratic and Republican colleagues to introduce a bill to repeal that onerous provision, and I urge congressional leaders to take it up as soon as possible.
“But part of the president’s prescription for change is flawed and ignores the lessons of the past. I strongly oppose his call for the ratification of the free trade agreement with Korea, as well as deals with Panama and Colombia. The Korean deal is based on the same trade model as NAFTA, which has led to significant job losses and reductions in our manufacturing sector in Maine.”
Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree
“I was glad to hear him [Obama] talk about an optimistic view of the future — how we need to reduce the deficit but still invest in what is crucial to making us competitive — like education and clean energy. I also agree with the president that we need to continue to work toward having a more civil tone to the debate. We need to find ways to move this country forward and not get bogged down in partisan debates of the past and I think the president’s speech was an example of that.”