Republicans Unveil Budget Principals to Promote Current and Future Prosperity
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 2, 2007
Republican Budget Principals
AUGUSTA – Republican legislators at the State House have released a series of principles they will be evaluating all budget proposals against. By adhering to these budget principles, Republicans are confident that current fiscal concerns will be successfully addressed, and a responsible, forward looking approach will be taken as the 2008-2009 biennial budget is developed.
As negotiations have unfolded, Republicans have indicated their support for any budget that will: remain under Maine’s spending cap, provide tax relief, and create a better future for the people of Maine. With both parties now engaged in developing separate budget proposals to present to the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee on Wednesday, Republicans will be holding their own budget against these principles, as well as the Democrats’ proposal.
By remaining under our state’s spending cap, which allows for a reasonable level of growth from the previous fiscal years, Republicans are stressing the importance of state government leading by example. If legislators encourage Mainers to live within their means, Republicans contend, than state government should do the same, and be held accountable to such restraint.
The second of the Republicans’ budget principles—providing tax relief—reflects the need to improve Mainers’ economic freedom. Maine is currently the 2 nd highest taxed state in the entire country, making any argument for a tax increase unreasonable. Republicans are looking forward to supporting a budget that will reduce the tax burden Mainers face, or, at the very least, will not increase the amount of revenue the State takes in.
Republicans have also emphasized their commitment to supporting a budget that will create a better future for the people of Maine by reversing the ballooning costs associated with education, Medicaid and taxpayer funded benefits. By responsibly addressing these three budget busters, Republicans assert, Mainers can finally expect a biennial budget that builds a foundation for a culture of economic security well into the future.
Senate Republican Leader Carol Weston, of Montville, stressed just how important the three principles are to Republicans as budget negotiations continue. “We are looking to support a plan for today and tomorrow,” she said. “Our three budget principles; remaining under the state’s spending cap, providing tax relief, and creating a better future for the people of Maine; are what Republicans will be looking for, and fighting for, in any budget negotiations.”
CONTACT:
William Thompson 287-1505 (o)
Communications Director, Senate Republican Office