How about this for a new state motto: “Welcome to Maine. Would You Like Fries With That?” The slogan fits an increasingly service-dominated economy.
But if we want to make rather than simply sell products others buy, we must do something major about Maine’s research and development effort. Maine ranks 50th in university R&D. Former University of Maine trustee Bennett Katz aptly says Maine is like a “Third World country” when it comes to R&D.
A funny thing happened on the way to the 21st century. Liberals and conservatives agree on something. Clinton’s former labor secretary, Robert Reich, touts R&D as critical to our economic future. Computer mechanization decreases the need, and often value, of routinized labor. Economic survival means constant innovation. Recently private sector consultants, who tell businesses where to locate, visited Maine, offering us sound business advice: Invest in university R&D.
The Greater Bangor Chamber of Commerce urged full implementation of a proposal calling for significant R&D investment. As happens in politics, good ideas are not fully implemented. The early proposal sought $20 million to hire scientists, and offer matching funds needed to put Maine on the R&D map. The plan also sought a $20 million bond issue for R&D plant and equipment at the University of Maine.
The $20 million R&D bond will go before the voters. (Call Jeff Mills at the private-funded University of Maine Alumni Association to help support this excellent proposal: 581-2586). But the scientists and matching funds were cut from an original $20 million, to a $10 million formal proposal then, finally, to $4.5 million in one-time-only funding promised this August.
Twenty million in equipment without scientists and matching funds is like buying a computer without software. If the bond issue passes, we can amend Trustee Katz’ Third World comparison. Our new slogan: “Maine R&D: not quite as bad as a Third World country.” It’s catchy.
This state spends many millions on welfare. Commendable under the circumstances, but let’s change the circumstances. Let’s spend some to get people off welfare by creating good jobs.
Orono’s Carl Freeman, President of Sensor Research and Development Corporation, is the kind of high-tech Maine entrepreneur we want to flourish. After the recent session Freeman expressed disappointment at the “failure” of the governor and Legislature to fund the unanimous recommendations of the R&D panel.
He noted that for every dollar invested in R&D, Maine receives nearly $6 in matching federal funds. Excellent point, but he is a bit tough on legislators. The pending funding is still a step in the right direction. Legislators can justly celebrate a step in the right direction.
A governor, on the other hand, has the power to make real strides. This session wasn’t a stride.
Gov. King declared May “Leave a Legacy” month (“I hereby leave my baseball cards to …”). Gov. King has the luxury of leaving a different kind of legacy — confident that he has four years to form that legacy.
Retired North Carolina Gov. Terry Sanford just died. He left a real legacy to his state: It’s called the Research Triangle.
In a recent Harvard study, Gov. Sanford was named one of the 10 best 20 century governors because he led a backwater to the forefront. North Carolina was once famous primarily as the pig feces capital of the world. True, North Carolina is still famous for pig feces, but the Tarheel State is now also known for the Research Triangle, grounded in local universities. The research triangle rivals the traditional economic jaugernauts: Boston’s I-128, and the Silicon Valley. Gov. Sanford made “The Top Ten” because in the early ’60s he championed civil rights — and pushed major investments in the Research Triangle through his Legislature. It was expensive — and profitable. It created huge increases in jobs and incomes.
Gov. King, understandably, husbands his popularity cautiously. My money says no scandal will smear him, no disaster befall him. He is skillful.
Gov. Sanford did a good job keeping spirits up during hurricanes; Gov. King was no slouch in the Ice Storm. Gov. Sanford was a good cheerleader for state businesses; so is Gov. King. But these qualities didn’t put Gov. Sanford on The Ten Best list.
Gov. Sanford also wanted to show that he, and North Carolina, were in the big leagues. He risked his popularity and reputation to fund huge, and hugely successful, investments in R&D. Let’s hope the similarities with Gov. Sanford continue. Let’s hope Gov. King chooses R&D as his legacy. Maine likes Angus; we’ll follow his lead. We can make a big difference — or just coast.
The national economy is good; it’s so tempting to drift in a warm economic current. Let’s not continue drifting into a service-dominated economy. “Welcome to Maine. Would You Like Fries With That?” Better legacies are possible.
Sean Faircloth lives in Bangor.
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