Our interview series continues with Waterville Mayor and Marden’s general manager Paul LePage, who is vying for the Republican nomination for governor in 2010.
AI: Every day the financial picture for the state looks bleaker. It seems as though writing the next budget will be an extraordinary challenge. What makes you want to be governor in this climate?
It is quite simple; I have spent the majority of my business and community service career doing exactly that, improving the financial picture of businesses and my community. I consulted with many Maine companies on how to improve efficiency and in reversing downtrends. When elected Mayor of Waterville, our tax rate was one of the highest in Maine, we had a dangerously low fund balance of slightly over $1,000,000 and a dismal credit rating at A-minus. Today, our tax rate is down 13%, our fund balance is over $10 million dollars and Standard & Poors upgraded or credit rating to an A-plus. I have the business, government and community service background to make a difference.
AI: What have you learned from your experience as mayor that has most prepared you to be Governor?
I learned a business background alone is not enough. One needs to be experienced on how bureaucrats operate how politicians and lobbyist make and influence public policy and learning the art of compromise, while knowing when to say no. Obtaining these skills takes time and fortunately I possess these skills. Further, I am a pragmatic decision maker and when necessary will settle for a piece of the pie, rather than no pie at all.
AI: It seems as though Maine has a reputation for being hostile to businesses of all size. What’s the most important step state government can take to change that?
Educate don’t legislate.For 35 years, Augusta has legislated morality, common sense, work rules, environmental regulation everything in sight without any consideration toward unintended consequences, the impact on business or society for that matter. Whenever business organizations attempt to explain unintended consequences of poorly drafted legislation they are vilified as corrupt, greedy, and selfish.The truth of the matter, businesses of all sizes are owned and operated by people who are compassionate for Maine and its people. Maine has over 35,000 business organizations, of which over 34,000 employ ten or fewer employees. It is Augusta who fails to recognize that in the majority of cases, Maine business and Maine people are one and the same. In the past eight years, Maine has lost 13,000 private sector jobs, while government has created 3,400 jobs. We need to prompt Augusta on who pays the bill?
AI: What can the state do to assist communities that want to improve themselves?
Educate don’t regulate. Maine needs smaller government, more economic freedom and less government intrusion in our daily lives. In Waterville, we made many infrastructure improvements with little help from state government. In fact, in recent years we have improved state aid roads using property taxes, because the DOT did not have adequate financial resources to repair state aid roads.
AI: What one bill from the past legislative session did you find most important, either in a positive or negative way?
Tabor 2 – the people’s initiative to control the growth of government spending is the most important piece of legislation to be sent to referendum since 2006. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on us. The Governor and the legislature promised tax and spending reform if the people of Maine defeated Tabor 1. The good people of Maine listened and defeated Tabor 1; unfortunately, we have yet to see meaningful spending reform and the so called revenue neutral Tax Reform is little more than a scam on the people of Maine.
AI: What are going to be the most important issues for Maine in the coming five years?
Implement efficient spending reforms; reverse the anti-business culture, reform spending on schools and welfare. Welfare accounts for over 30% of state spending and growing exponentially with no end in sight. Reform is not only warranted, but crucial for the future prosperity of the state. Further, we must demand improved academic performance in our school system. We rank seventh in school spending, but thirty-six in school performance. We must improve and we will under my administration.
AI: What kind of legacy has the Baldacci Administration left our state?
For better or worse, the Baldacci Administration gave us Dirigo Health and a 46% increase in government spending. I will do better!
AI: Education reform has been a major issue lately, with various ideas discussed in the last session. How would you approach this?
Conceptually school consolidation is good for the state. However, guaranteeing that no one will lose jobs does not save money. Wages and benefits account for roughly 85% of school spending. If jobs are not decreased, how can consolidation result in lowering education costs? I believe Maine needs to explore a voucher system. Further, our schools must look toward improving the school curriculum and raise the standard of education to meet the grueling challenge of contributing to society.
