Maine Senate Republicans

3 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04330

Senator Kevin L. Raye                                       Senator Jonathan T.E. Courtney

Republican Leader                                                   Assistant Republican Leader

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release                                                                    CONTACT:  Mary Small 

January 9, 2009                                                                                                            207-287-1505                                                                                               

SENATE G.O.P. LEADERS RESPOND TO GOVERNOR’S BUDGET PROPOSAL

Raye and Courtney priorities include education, safety net and private-sector job growth

AUGUSTA – In response to a two-year budget proposal unveiled by Governor Baldacci on Friday, Senate Republican Leader Kevin Raye and Senate Assistant Republican Leader Jon Courtney today issued the following statement:

“Republicans in the Legislature are committed to working in good faith with the Governor and the Democratic majority to craft a responsible budget that reins in the unsustainable growth of state government, prioritizes public safety, education, a safety net for our most vulnerable citizens, and puts Maine in a position to more effectively foster the private-sector job creation necessary for a more prosperous future.

“We do believe the Legislature must carefully analyze the impact of the proposed budget in areas such as shifting the tax burden to municipalities and the ability of Maine’s hospitals to provide access to quality health care.

“But, on balance, the Governor’s proposal appears to reflect the reality that Maine cannot afford to continue the unsustainable growth that has, for too long, characterized state government.  While the budget presents challenges, it also presents an opportunity to bring much-needed reform to state government.  Long before the current worldwide economic crisis, Maine was on a path of unsustainable expansion of state spending that outpaced job growth and the wages of working Mainers.

“In the coming weeks, as the Legislature reviews the Governor’s proposed budget in detail, we need to ask the tough questions with respect to each provision, including the following: 

·        Does it preserve the safety net for our most vulnerable citizens, especially the elderly and people with disabilities living on fixed incomes?

·        Does it help put us on a path to renewed private-sector job growth and opportunity for Maine people?

·        Does it help ensure the long-term sustainability of a balanced budget?

·        Does it unfairly shift the burden to the property tax?

·        Does it find efficiencies and savings within the bureaucracy before eliminating direct services?

·        Does it adhere to the concept of shared sacrifice?”

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