No farewells yet

Maine’s next governor will not take office for another year, but its current one, Angus King, sounded Tuesday very much like a governor giving a farewell speech. His final State of the State address was a summation of what he saw as accomplished during the last seven years and some comments about three broad areas – health care, economic development and a more ephemeral civic-mindedness – that Maine will address in the coming years. It was a good speech, and as usual the governor delivered it with eloquence and verve, but it is too soon to say goodbye.

It is too soon because Maine has a tough year ahead: a budget shortfall and an economy in recession for starters and wide disagreement on major issues to keep lawmakers busy for the rest of the legislative session and beyond. House Speaker Michael Saxl, for instance, says the governor’s proposed Medicaid cuts are unacceptable; House Minority Leader Joe Bruno says the cuts aren’t nearly enough to a Medicaid system Maine cannot afford. That’s a billion-dollar program they’re talking about with huge implications for public health. And Gov. King could not have failed to feel the tepid response he got when talking about taking guns from people under temporary protection-from-abuse orders and in his support of a “laser-beamed” local-option sales tax, to name only two of the many issues that are being debated.

On the broader themes he mentioned, in the last seven years the governor has become an astute observer of a health care system that he says, accurately, is unsustainable.

He is also a critic of the leading alternative, a single-payer plan. His next comments on health care ought to describe the sort of comprehensive reform he does support. In the State of the State, the governor talked about the medical savings that would come from healthier living, better diet and exercise. It’s a fine notion, but there’s hardly an adult in Maine who does not already know it while obesity levels increase annually. (It might be inspiring or at least interesting to see the governor pictured exercising as often as he is riding his motorcycle.)

A similar kind of direct engagement is needed on his other two themes. One of his favorite development tools is the Business Equipment Tax Reimbursement. He complains that people who want the rebate amended don’t appreciate the need for consistency to allow businesses to thrive. He probably is right about that, but he needs also to acknowledge more often that what his opponents want is to tie actual job growth to the subsidy which, after all, is supposed to be its goal. And after an idea about strengthening communities through regional cooperation drew yawns five or six years ago, the administration has since merely picked at the issue.

This is going to be a difficult year, but harder times play to the governor’s strengths of thoughtfulness and comprehension of complex issues of governance. That makes it an excellent time for him to be engaged in leading Maine.