AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. Paul LePage has chosen a longtime legislator from Bucksport to lead the administration’s newly structured Office of Policy and Management.
Richard Rosen, who is wrapping up his fourth term in the state Senate, will start as the office’s first leader on Dec. 6, LePage’s office announced in a news release.
“Richard has a proven track record of making the difficult decisions necessary to keep government within its means,” LePage said in a statement. “I am pleased he will assist my administration’s continued efforts to make state government smaller, smarter and consistent in its delivery of quality customer-oriented service.”
Rosen, a Republican, has served as Senate chairman of the Legislature’s powerful, budget-writing Appropriations Committee over the past two years. He also owns a clothing store, Rosen’s of Maine, in Bucksport. He served three terms in the state House of Representatives before his election to the Senate in 2002.
The newly formed Office of Policy and Management takes over some of the responsibilities of the State Planning Office, which was eliminated as part of a supplemental budget package earlier this year. An initial proposal from the LePage administration had included broad subpoena powers for the office without a judge’s approval, but lawmakers stripped those powers from the final budget bill.
The office, which will include the state economist, will be charged with reviewing state agency budgets, evaluating the effectiveness of the state’s economic development tax incentive programs and delivering economic data.
“Success in my new role will be seeing across the silos to effectively implement beneficial policy that better serves our government and the taxpayers it is accountable to,” Rosen said in a statement.
Rosen will report to LePage.
Im glad they had to create a new position and hire more people to make the state budget bigger before the new office makes the budget smaller.
Wow, Bruce Poliquin thinks growing a mustache will enable him to double dip.
Damn…that made me LOL !
What is it that Howie Carr calls it when long time politicians go on the public payroll? Oh yeah Hack-a-rama. Don’t be surprised to see more of Tea Party Paulie’s parrots who used to be in the legislature showing up on Maine’s payroll.
So does the man have an accounting degree and isn’t just another store operator?
Rosen’s sells Muck Boots, so he is prepared to walk around in the LePage administration.
I’m not sure “Mucks” will do the job. I’d suggest he make a stop at Bean’s for a nice pair of dependable chest high waders
Good call…he probably could use a monster truck, too.
Better yet, how’s about a hovercraft? Just float on over the entire stinky mess.
Politics “at it’s best”. It never stops…. and never will !
Rosen is a member of ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council, a right wing corporate group that drafts model legislation for state office holders.
Imagine this guy with subpoena powers ! Hoo- Boy !