Congratulations Maine, Welcome Governor Paul Richard (not Dick) Lepage

   The Coronation is complete, the paper has been signed. Our Legislature has had a single simultaneous movement in Augusta today. Perhaps, the last one for four years, we will see. All the  players were there. Former governors: Brennan, Mckernan, King and Baldacci stood side saddle, looking speculative at best. None-the-less, I am sure they support the new Governor of Maine, Paul Richard (not Dick) Lepage.
    The new Governor stuck to many of the same talking points of his election. His being a businessman first and foremost.The bloated state of Augusta, how our taxpayers pay for it. His "Red Tape Removal" audit to simplify business in the state. Governor Paul Richard Lepage also said he is "for strong protections for Maine and its people and regulations for business" but they should not make doing business hard, or rather the regulations should cooperate with business. He mentioned we need to find savings for business in utilities costs, licensing and basic cost overheads. Of course no other Governor has tried this. Lepage wants to deliver a competitive advantage to business so it will come to Maine. Easier said than done. Many have tried, we have all but given the state to companies tax free, still no deal. In almost one breath Lepage said I'm bringing back Mckernan's Town Hall meetings. Then "I'm not going backwards."
    On the education front the new Governor stated, "Standards must be higher, administrations leaner."
Our available resources must be "spent in the classroom, on the student." To that I say, "Hurray." But wait and see, I will. Paul also stated that you will hear him keep pushing for his 5 year school program.  High school graduates would receive an associates degree upon completion of their 5 years. Where we would find the money? I guess, we'll see. The Governor seems all for monthly meetings and said, "we will sit down with teachers around the state once a month, oatmeal and solutions will be on the agenda." Again, we'll see. Gas prices are pretty high right now. Paying for extra travel will be tough.
      I did like the 'Labels will not get in the way' speak, sounded like it was right off my pages. Republican, Democrat, Green, Independent, it will not matter; Good Policy is public policy for everyone said Paul. Oh, and I really liked the Profit bit, "Profit is not a problem." It's what grows the private sector he said. I do not remember anyone saying profit was a problem. Though on one of my recent pages this very subject was presented to you in this same way: What I said is, "The problem is that jobs are a byproduct of profit." Jobs are only created to keep up with demand and create more profit. If more can be done by fewer, or for less money, there will be no jobs created. It has always been thus and thus it shall be.
     There really is so much more from the speech we could address, and I should go over my notes again. But for now let's just look at the fact that not once was paying for anything mentioned. We are in very, very desperate times. To change any of the status quo involves money and unless our State can come up with some private corporate funding we are fe fi fo fu*k~#. Or, Maybe, and if I was a State worker I would prepare for this one, voluntary pay cuts. Then of course will come the furlough days, the broken contracts, the closing of the state and the desperate plea for federal help. Oh, crap I'm not a prophet, forgot myself. Anyway, we better hold on, it will be very bumpy. For today say "Congratulations Governor Lepage, I wish you the best of luck." We are all in this together, and believe me we're pulling for you. 
                            Have A Great Day, and if not tomorrow is another chance,
                                                                    All the best, Ms. Paula Page

Govenor John Elias Baldacci, And The Replacements

       Well, with the coronation of King Paul set for January 5th, it seems only fitting that we should take a moment to pay homage to the leaving Lord of Maine, John Baldacci. Our 73rd governor of Maine. Lord John was born in Bangor, Maine, January 30th, 1955. He began his political career at the ripe age of 23, when, he was elected to the city council of Bangor. Lord John went on to serve in the state senate and the congress, before taking the Blaine House in 2002. His career in politics spans 32 years.
     Now it appears he will head off into the shadow of old Lord Angus and practice the art of Renewable energy. Lord Baldacci has hatched a plan with brother Bob, to start chasing the wind and water for dollars. Lord Angus King, our 72nd govenor is already out there on the wind and water line. Something tells me insiders must have a sure thing on the renewable energy front. Oh, that's right they write the legislation. Must be nice to make the connections and the laws, and then go make the money.
     When Lord Baldacci took over the State of Maine, we had a Budget gap of $1.2 billion and  now we have a budget gap of $840 million with $50 million in reserves. Under Lord John, The state created Dirigo, not the motto, the health insurance program. Dirigo at its best had 15,000 clients though it was hoped to insure 150,000. Turns out, Dirigo "led the way" to expensive. He also started school consolidation. The original layout was to reduce the number of school districts to 26 from the startling number of 290. While there has been some progress and some painful savings, the number of school administration districts is only down to 179.  Lord John also started a program for the free riding businesses of Maine,  The Pine Tree Zones, where economically depressed areas of the state are labeled and any business willing to relocate, or start business gets large tax breaks. The numbers on this program are: 309 companies in the zones, 219 of them are manufacturing businesses and the total employment is 8,209 people. The payroll totals: $341 million. It was a start, to something, I think it's called corporate welfare, but who am I.  When we give tax breaks to business, we the people of Maine, have to pay the infrastructure costs. Our Department of Transportation is $270 million short in their budget for next year. Any corporate donations would be greatly appreciated.
       The one thing Lord Baldacci tried to do that I have not mentioned is ram same sex marriage down the back door of Augusta. The people voted, said no. Created civil unions. Not enough. So, without a court order to do so Lord John just goes ahead and signs legislation to legalize same sex marriage. While it might have been a legacy move, you know leave them with something to remember me by, it did not go over well. Remember John? The people stood up and stopped it with petition, referendum, and ballot.  Although we voted down the Turnpike widening, many times, and somehow they did it anyway. All things being what they are, John Elias Baldacci, has been a good govenor for the State of Maine. He was dealt a bad hand from the start, yet he never raised taxes. He is leaving the State in a better condition fiscally than he found it. I'm sure he'd like to say your welcome King Paul. But he won't. 
         So, as you sunset your political career, and settle down as Lord John, of renewable electric, think fondly of your days, know that you did your best. Thank you John Elias Baldacci.
                             P.S. please leave Paul a primer, or at least a sticky note. For deconstruction is about to commence in blind fashion. Everyone will be working soon, but for $6.50 an hour, a half hour lunch, no overtime and medicare insurance, with no corporate taxes, just you wait and see.