Hold your candidates accountable

Nov. 2 is a crucial day in the future of Maine. We must send the right people to Augusta. We cannot sustain another two years of more of the same. I thank A.J. Higgins of the Bangor Daily News staff for his article in the Saturday edition, “Candidate stokes two Maines fire,” for reminding us about those who we send to Augusta.

A southern coastal candidate, Sen. Chris Hall, is promoting funding cuts to state programs in northern and Down East Maine. Hall sees us as living in a region “full of empty roads … aging, poor population … who rely on government health care and operate expensive schools.”

At the end of that article, Sen. John Martin suggested that Hall was right and stated “that was what people in southern Maine believe.” He goes on to say, “It’s a factual statement, but certainly not a statement that ought to be listened to.”

The Portland Press Herald, in its “Portland-first philosophy earns Strimling Senate endorsement” article, describes Strimling as having “a straightforward and dead-on analysis of Portland’s role in the Maine economy.”

The Press Herald’s attitude reflects that of Portland-area legislators when they say, “his Portland-first philosophy is good not only for his home city, but also for the whole state of Maine.” Since when is what’s best for Portland representative of the rest of Maine? If anything, Portland is an aberration!

Hall, Strimling and other liberal leaders like them in Augusta are quickly becoming the majority voice in the halls of the State House. They are the reason the rest of Maine is in this poor economic state.

My time in the Maine Legislature taught me a lot of things – none more shocking than the misunderstanding of the majority party’s leadership about the clear differences between the vibrant Portland economy and the rest of Maine.

In the Maine House of Representatives we see a similar trend. Two liberal members of the House are fighting to become Speaker – Rep. Ben Dudley from Portland and Rep. John Richardson from Brunswick. Democrats who are elected from our towns will elect one of them speaker and will vote with them as they push the Portland-first philosophy.

A few years ago, my Democratic colleague from Brewer, Dusty Fisher, came out of the House after casting a vote and was looking down and shaking his head. When I asked what was wrong, he replied “the people of Brewer won’t like that vote.” He was doing what he was told at the expense of the citizens of Brewer.

Recently, I was listening to an early-morning talk radio show when I heard Rep. Patricia Blanchette, Democrat from Bangor, respond to a question about the problem of high taxes in Maine. Her response was, “We don’t have a tax problem. We have a population problem.” Translation: Your taxes aren’t too high, there just aren’t enough of you paying them to support all the spending we do in Augusta.

Blanchette doesn’t understand that the detrimental public policies of her party have forced our prosperous seniors to take up residency in other states and forced our children to do the same in search of good-paying jobs.

The last Legislature failed miserably in several areas. The 55 percent state contribution to local education funding and tax reform are two good examples. The referenda on the June and November ballots are a direct result of the

voters’ frustration and the Legislature’s refusal to do the people’s business.

The Legislature enacted its intent to fund K-12 education at 55 percent in 1985. The Democrats have been in control of the Legislature over the past 20 years. Rather than keep that promise, education spending has actually decreased as a percent of the state budget and is currently funded at about 43 percent with the towns making up the rest from your property tax dollars.

Democrats in this past Legislature knew the Palesky proposal was pending and the people were crying out for tax relief. Despite having control over the House, Senate and the Governor’s Office, they could not enact a single tax-reform proposal. Instead, they passed a budget that raised taxes and fees by $196 million.

With 30 years of leadership like that in Augusta one better understands why we are facing a second straight state budget shortfall of $1 billion. If this type of leadership continues we cannot expect to change the direction in which our state has been sliding.

There are many good candidates running for the Maine Legislature this year. Take the time to know what they stand for. Look at the records of those presently serving. Hold them accountable. Expect them to vote the same in Augusta as they promise you at your door.

Vote on the facts on Nov. 2.

Richard H. Campbell, of Orrington, is a former state representative in the 116th-119th Maine Legislatures.