State of the State

If Gov. John Baldacci’s State of the State speech Tuesday had a common theme or message, it was lost amid all those people being asked to stand, the numerous Dem-ocratic applause lines and the listing of assorted proposals the governor intends to introduce this session. The speech contained some very good news and some valuable programs as well as glossing over difficulties and at its most poignant – when talking about Mainers serving in Iraq – it was more emotional than eloquent.

A few points:

. When the governor lauded Portland for finishing first in a new survey of business vitality conducted by the American City Business Journals he did not mention that in the same survey, Augusta-Waterville finished a disappointing 79th and Bangor a dismal 107th, but it is the latter two scores that show the need for leadership.

. He reminded the public of his administration attracting T-Mobile and its 700 good jobs to Oakland. If the deal comes together, it will be very important regionally and he was right to use it as an example of what is possible.

. Gov. Baldacci said he wanted to “protect all Maine citizens against discrimination,” meaning he intends to pass a gay-rights law, but he never used the word “gay” or “homosexual” in the speech. How can he protect what he can’t bring himself to say? This would be the law that dare not speak its name.

. Those Guard license plates are going to be very popular.

The governor’s recognition of and support for related biomedical ventures was the best news of the night for this area. It is confusing to call them a triangle, as he did, when the entities involved include the University of Maine, The Jackson Lab, St. Joseph Hospital, Eastern Maine Healthcare and MDI Biological Lab, and UMaine and Jackson Lab already have a collaboration that also includes the Maine Medical Center Research Institute. It is also unnecessary because the best news about the biomedical research, after the wondrous work its talented scientists produce, is that Maine has the possibility of making this a statewide venture, a connection to the new economy throughout the state. It will be stronger in southern Maine and along the coast – where people choose more often to live – but it need not be exclusive to those regions. Maine can embrace those growing, crucial fields of study if, as many states have done before, it invests in the facilities to attract more top scientists to the state. A major bond package, one that invests in existing work and establishes these new ventures, is crucial.

The governor was shrewd in proposing this investment Tuesday. Rather than just announce a figure, he invited Republicans to join him in crafting a bond package. Maine’s borrowing level is low; its capital needs severe. Republicans should enter into a discussion with the administration prepared with their own package of suggestions and to make a serious commitment to biomedical research.

A word of caution: Some of these projects could be years away. For instance, the College of Allied Health Professionals at the Bangor campus of UMaine is not nearly complete. UMaine, in fact, doesn’t actually have a Bangor campus, though it plans to use the campus currently occupied by the University of Maine at Augusta.

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Dirigo Health is another work in progress. The governor quoted several grateful residents who got health care coverage under the new system, but it’s no secret that fewer people than expected have so far signed up. If Gov. Baldacci was trying to reassure small business owners wondering whether to join, he did a fine job. But the promise of Dirigo Health has always been larger than just lower premiums. It is also about reducing costs for people statewide while improving quality. Making these changes would remain essential even if the coverage were to disappear entirely.

The quirkiest proposal of the night was also the most specific: Ninety percent of Maine communities would have broadband access by 2010; 100 percent would have wireless phone service by 2008. The ConnectMe project depends largely on provider companies either seeing a benefit to serving rural communities or the Public Utilities Commission requiring access to competition to provide broadband coverage, something the Federal Communications Commission began doing then backed away from a couple of years ago.

It is not yet clear what Maine would do if the deadlines established by the governor were not being met, but the administration is looking for money now to provide inducements. The Public Advocate’s Office is counting on public pressure by posting a map of areas deemed cell-phone dead spots by residents. Clearly, improving Maine’s communications systems is important to attracting business; ConnectMe seems like an idea that is still being formed.

Gov. Baldacci was handed a rough first two years: a down economy, mill closings, large budget shortfalls and serious financial and practice problems at the Department of Human Services, among others. He has dealt with these problems without forgetting to make investments in the state’s future through research, health care, higher education and in slowing government’s growth. It’s a solid record, an admirable one in several respects, one his speech didn’t fully capture.