Baldacci has a solid plan

I was dismayed last week to see an advertisement by a Washington D.C.-based Republican political action committee. As a legislator from Aroostook County, I am often shocked by some of the campaign advertisements that get on the airwaves, but this most recent one crossed the line into outright lies.

There are a number of misleading statements in the ad, but the most blatant falsehood is the suggestion that Maine has a “$733 million budget gap.” The Maine Constitution requires the governor to submit, and the Legislature to enact, a balanced budget each year. It is true that we on the Appropriations Committee did struggle with the challenge of a large budget gap, but under the governor’s leadership, and with the hard work of the Legislature, our budget is now balanced as the law requires and we have a surplus.

What is especially disappointing is that Chandler Woodcock, as a member of the Senate, should know that our Constitution requires a balanced budget. But instead of standing by the leadership of the governor and the dedication of the Legislature to balance that budget, Sen. Woodcock turned a blind eye to the blatant lie. It must be an election year…

The facts are simple and they are undisputed. Gov. John Baldacci took office at the tail end of a recession that had devastated the state’s finances. Our state faced a $1.2 billion deficit, the rainy day fund was broke, and had taken out a $275 million tax anticipation note.

Today, our budget is balanced, revenues have rebounded, and we ended the last fiscal year on June 30 with a surplus of more than $140 million. The tax anticipation note is paid off, as well. During that same period, the governor and the Legislature also made the largest investment in education in our state’s history, all without an increase in sales or income taxes.

It’s disconcerting that Sen. Woodcock, who is fully aware of the blatant lies contained in this ad, is sitting back and refusing to disavow it. It was bought and paid for by his Washington, D.C.-based Republican friends who know nothing about what is best for our state and who are certainly not in any position to tell us how to manage our finances (they have racked up the largest debt in our nation’s history).

Even more shocking, however, may be the suggestion that Sen. Woodcock has a plan for Maine’s economy. The advertisement touts Chandler Woodcock’s “new solutions” for Maine. His “plan” calls for eliminating the property tax on business equipment, even though that idea was already enacted by the governor and Legislature this past year. It suggests we should cap government spending, even though that was accomplished in the last session, too. Finally, his “plan” argues for reducing Maine’s property tax burden without even acknowledging that the governor’s plan for reducing property taxes is already working.

It’s certainly encouraging that Sen. Woodcock has finally come around to support the governor’s accomplishments, since he voted against so many of them as a legislator. He may think he can engage in double-speak and put forth proposals the governor has already proposed and achieved, but the Maine people won’t buy it.

As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I know all too well the challenges that we have confronted and overcome in the last few years, and I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish under Gov. Baldacci’s leadership. I also understand the obstacles that remain ahead.

In the coming years, Maine needs hard work, not catchy slogans. We need a governor with a plan, not more tired and partisan rhetoric. Maine needs a real leader, and with Gov. Baldacci we have one.

Jeremy Fischer represents Presque Isle in the Maine House of Representatives and is serving in his second term. A Democrat, he is a member of the Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs.