Issues

ENERGY Maine needs to formulate and execute a long-term comprehensive energy plan that includes all aspects of viable and commercially sustainable renewable energy technologies. We should be focusing on the ways we can promote renewable energy in Maine right away. We need to act boldly to get Maine off our dependence on foreign oil and keep the money here in Maine. MORE >

JOBS We learned recently that national unemployment reached a 23-year high at 10.2%. And the economic outlook for Maine is looking even bleaker. Maine ranks 47th, out of 50, in the most recent economic outlook ratings compiled by the American Legislative Exchange Council. We have squandered $800 million of stimulus and rainy day funds on existing government programs, few if any designed to create private sector Jobs. Maine’s next governor has to be about creating jobs, jobs and more jobs. To do that we need real world experience in Augusta. MORE >

EFFICIENCY The size and expense of Maine’s government is a hurdle we must overcome in order to move our state forward. Improving our tax policies is a huge part of getting us over that hurdle. The idea of reforming our tax policies has merit but to merely vote a tax out with no long-term plan to cut government spending is irresponsible. It is not tax reform and it does not address the underlying problems in our state budget process. Patching up our state budget every two years is not an efficient or smart way to plan long term economic strategies for our State. The process is broken and needs to be fixed. MORE >

LEADERSHIP Maine needs a long-term vision for success. We need new leadership to pave the way for energy independence, educate our workforce, retain our young talent, and fix the budget process so that all Mainers are working for a better Maine in the 21st Century. We need to think about redirecting state resources towards pursuits that creates new income instead of raising taxes to prop up the status quo.  There are many great things that government can do to incent people to create business opportunities for Maine people. It is time for government to act instead of react. MORE >

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• LTE: Otten Would Create Jobs
• Otten best choice to lead ME
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• Spirit of Dirigo Award
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