Maine citizens should be very pleased with the way Gov. McKernan has handled the budget shortfall caused by a slowing economy.

Our vital programs were protected without raising new taxes while state operations operated smoothly.

Not so with states like Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and now California, where taxes are in line for huge increases. While the shortfall of state income has yet to bottom out, past results show the governor has the expertise to best handle the situation for another term.

His broad base and past performance certainly warrants re-election. Rufus A. Candage Blue Hill