 |
|
|
|
|
| Prosperity through voter action |
February 26, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
Four reports, one request
Geiger, a Lewiston promotional products company that publishes the Famers' Almanac, recently laid off ten people because of what Peter Geiger, the company's executive vice president, said was a projected slowdown of orders prompted by an expected national recession and a need to maximize efficiency, according to the Sun Journal in Lewiston.
[Rumford area] Superintendent Jim Hodgkin wasn't about to reveal the 'dream list' of requests for the fiscal 2009 budget at Monday's SAD 43 board meeting.
He did say, though, that if everything sought was granted, it could mean an increase of $700,000 to $800,000 over last year's $14.8 million budget.
That's not going to happen.
[SAD 43] enrollment stands at 1,516. But, Hodgkin said, this year's graduating class of 148 seniors will be replaced by only 105 freshmen in the fall. Most classes in subsequent years are also smaller. The student population at the high school is 580.
#3: Taxes are off the table in the Bangor Daily News (2/25/08):
'I expect the news Monday to be grim,' said House Minority Leader Josh Tardy, R-Newport. 'That does not change the Republican position that taxes are off the table.'
Tardy said he could see a need for discussion about Rainy Day Funds. But, he added, 'the issue has not been revenue. It's spending.'
#4: Taxes are on the table in the Kennebec Journal (2/25/08)
[Sen. Joseph Brannigan of Portland] said that legislators should draw on state reserves, or raise taxes and fees, to make sure the state's most vulnerable residents are looked after.
One Request
It's hard to miss the point that the private sector nearly always makes the tough decisions to keep their businesses healthy. However, the public sector too often waits and wishes despite seeing the freight train coming straight at them.
The Governor has said he wants to engage legislators in a conversation about Maine's priorities. You need to inform that conversation. Tell your legislators what you want them to do and tell them that you'll be watching and keeping score - otherwise, expect a tax increase, higher fees creative accounting and a return to the undisputed position of having the highest tax burden in the nation and an economy that may not participate in the eventual recovery from the anticipated recession.
To contact your legislators or the Governor now, go to:
That's what we mean by Prosperity through voter action. We believe in Maine and we believe in you. Please, pass this along to your friends, family, co-workers, vendors and customers and ask them to do the same. Thanks!
Tony Payne
Executive Director
P.S. If you want to contribute to the Alliance, click here. We'd really appreciate it!
|
Cut government costs before programs
This week, the Blethen Newspapers have run a three-part series (Links to Part one, Part two and Part three) on the state budget detailing where cuts are proposed to help close the $200M budget gap. They highlight the real and desperate circumstances many face under the scenarios that have been suggested - and they are not pretty. Lacking in the discussion, however, are the desperate circumstances of those who are over-taxed from over-spending.
It seems that no discussion of cuts involves either layoffs of state workers or even contributions by state workers to their health care and retirement benefit plans. Why should those most in need take the hit when those who provide services do not? If state workers paid just 10% of their health care and dental insurance premiums, it would save $11.9 million in one year.
Here's another question: What ever happened to the computer programmers and their managers who failed to produce a working Medicaid reimbursement system at a cost to Maine taxpayers of more than $50 million? At the time, they were to be re-deployed elsewhere in state government. Should government workers prosper while taxpayers don't?
Why should the Legislature's staff receive $1.2 million in pay and benefit raises over the next two years while needy families face cuts in assistance? Quoting the Blethen article:
'One of the most controversial proposals would save the state $1.2 million by keeping an estimated 13,000 households like Houser and her 2-year-old daughter, who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, from getting general assistance, starting this summer.'
Government must look within itself to cut expenses before it removes the safety net for the most vulnerable.
|
|
About the Alliance for Maine's Future
The Alliance for Maine's Future was formed in 2001 by Maine business leaders to 'Improve the Economic Opportunities for All Maine People'. A non-profit, non-partisan grassroots entity, AMF provides free education services designed to help employers and employees make informed choices when voting for state legislative candidates.
In addition, the affiliated AMF Maine Prosperity PAC recruits and supports candidates for the Legislature who are experienced, thoughtful people willing to listen to both sides of an issue. They appreciate that both Maine's natural and economic environments are essential to enhancing the quality of life for all Maine people.
|
|
Quick Links
|
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
Maine Development Foundation
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alliance for Maine's Future | 45 Melville Street | Augusta | ME | 04330
|
| From: |
Tony Payne <tpayne@allianceformaine.org> |
| Subject: |
Many views on Maine's economy |
| Reply: |
tpayne@allianceformaine.org |
|
|
|
| Prosperity through voter action |
February 5, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
Many views, one state economy
'Give me a one-handed economist,' President Truman demanded. 'All my economists say On the one hand...on the other.'
Little seems to have changed since Give 'em Hell Harry served the nation and yearned for some clear direction when it came to the economy. This week's edition of MaineBiz magazine offers interviews with eight Maine economists about the likelihood of a recession.
On the one hand, five economists predict a better than 50-50 chance that we'll have or are in a recession - but on the other hand - some agree that Maine's lack of economic vitality means we won't see much disruption.
Scott Moody of the Maine Heritage Policy Center suggests that Maine's private sector actually has been in a recession since 2002. He cites statistics showing little growth in personal income for those employed in the state's for-profit businesses. 'Any growth,' says Moody, 'has been from government.'
That's disturbing.
Kit St. John of the Maine Center for Economic Policy sees a recession as being short and shallow in part because Maine has already lost manufacturing and other high value jobs that rely on technology or energy. St. John said, 'We have jobs more evenly distributed throughout the economy and some of those jobs are immune to downturns.' The article said St. John cited jobs in health care and call centers as less likely to experience troubles.
That's both interesting and disturbing.
Neither of those occupations creates much wealth in Maine and Maine desperately needs wealth to be created for the sake of personal incomes, charitable giving, entrepreneurship and private investment.
And, neither health care nor call centers are immune to changes. MBNA was purchased by Bank of America and jobs were lost. And in Brunswick yesterday, Park View Memorial Hospital announced the closing of its maternity unit - too little demand for delivering the babies we would expect to become the workforce of tomorrow.
Both St. John and Moody agree that Maine's dependence on government welfare shields us from the wide swings in the economy. Maine gets $1.41 for every dollar we send to Washington. Therefore, Maine doesn't have that far to fall if a recession, mild or not, hits the state. We have little to lose except, of course, if the federal government chokes off the welfare pipeline as recently announced Medicaid reimbursement cuts suggest.
On the one hand, keeping expectations as low as our economic indicators means we can't be too disappointed. But, that's little comfort for the families and children who are trying to get ahead in Maine. On the other hand, it would be nice to have an economy that produced the rewards of private investment and entrepreneurial risk taking.
Pride, our sense of self-reliance and a can-do attitude should drive us to improve ourselves. On that score, there is no 'other hand'.
Call to caucus
First, Republicans caucused this past week and cast their preference ballots for president. Democrats and Greens caucus this weekend in Maine. If you haven't participated, we urge you to attend as an advocate for the Maine economy and the health of the private sector.
Make time on Sunday, take a friend and advocate for a strong private sector.
That's what we mean by Prosperity through voter action. We believe in Maine and we believe in you. Please, call that friend and go make a difference. Thanks!
Tony Payne
Executive Director
|
|
About the Alliance for Maine's Future
The Alliance for Maine's Future was formed in 2001 by Maine business leaders to 'Improve the Economic Opportunities for All Maine People'. A non-profit, non-partisan grassroots entity, AMF provides free education services designed to help employers and employees make informed choices when voting for state legislative candidates.
In addition, the affiliated AMF Maine Prosperity PAC recruits and supports candidates for the Legislature who are experienced, thoughtful people willing to listen to both sides of an issue. They appreciate that both Maine's natural and economic environments are essential to enhancing the quality of life for all Maine people.
|
|
Quick Links
|
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
Maine Development Foundation
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alliance for Maine's Future | 45 Melville Street | Augusta | ME | 04330
|
|
|
