Senator Rosen: Maine Republicans’ Budget is the Responsible, Affordable Plan

AUGUSTA – Assistant Senate Republican Leader Richard Rosen, of Bucksport, has declared the Maine Republicans’ budget proposal as the responsible plan to ensure a successful future for Maine, and seeks support from his constituents regarding the ideas put forward.

In developing their proposal, Maine’s Republican legislators identified three key principles that make their budget a plan for today and tomorrow. The three principles; limited state spending, no new taxes, and the foundation for a better future; make up a Maine Republican budget that takes immediate action to create a more efficient government, and an affordable government in the future.

Sen. Rosen emphasized the need for the responsible budget plan Maine Republicans have created. “Maine has the second highest tax burden in the nation, and is one of only two states in the entire country dealing with a budget shortfall,” he said. “The budget proposal Maine Republicans have put forward takes care of today’s priorities and tomorrow’s concerns.”

The first of the three principles, limited state spending, has guided Maine Republicans to a budget that remains under the State’s LD 1 spending cap. Their budget abides by this cap—which all counties, municipalities and school districts must also adhere to— prioritizing taxpayer dollars and encouraging local governing units to do the same. In fact, the Maine Republican budget acts on the recommendations of the Brookings Institute, reducing administrative costs in government by $15 million. Their plan would also reduce the legislative budget to achieve even more savings. Any spending beyond what is necessary does not contribute to a responsible government that the Maine Republican budget fosters.

No new taxes, the second budget principle, are a feature of the Maine Republican budget that is different from all other budget proposals this session. Increases in the sales tax and the meals and lodging tax are among the tax increase proposals some legislators are calling for. None of these increases, or any other tax increase, are found in the Maine Republicans’ funding plan. Considering Maine’s national ranking, and the current economic situation our state deals with, Maine’s Republicans can find no reasonable argument to justify any tax increases to balance the state budget.

The third budget principle, the need to create a better future for the people of Maine, led Maine Republicans to look at three of the State’s most expensive programs; education, Medicaid and taxpayer funded benefits. These programs represent the bulk of government spending that has made it impossible to provide necessary tax relief.

With 2/3^rds of the Legislature needed to approve a budget, Maine’s Republicans have seized the opportunity to influence budget outcomes by addressing these three ballooning programs. Their budget plan would hold the line on taxpayer funded benefits, which have already created over $7 billion in state debt. In doing so, the Maine Republican budget asks state employees to contribute 15 percent of the cost of their healthcare, a common occurrence for workers outside of state government.

The Republican budget also reduces the costs of the Medicaid program, achieving significant savings without cutting enrollment or sacrificing quality care. By enabling the highest wage earners that comprise Medicaid to contribute a small insurance premium (no more than 3 percent of their income), and other innovative reforms like this, the Maine Republican budget creates a sustainable Medicaid program.

“Between 1999 and 2004, Maine’s Medicaid budget increased from $1.2 billion to over $2.4 billion. That’s an increase of more than 50 percent in just five years. Our budget takes control of Medicaid spending to provide relief for Mainers whose tax dollars fund the program,” Sen. Rosen explained.

The three principles; limited state spending, no new taxes, and a better and more affordable government in the future; are the backbone of the Maine Republicans’ responsible budget plan.

“The Maine Republicans’ budget confronts Maine’s fiscal problems, holds the line on taxes and spending, and ensures a successful future. We can all expect relief and future prosperity with our responsible plan to fund state government,” Sen. Rosen said.

Sen. Richard Rosen represents District 31, which includes parts of Hancock and Penobscot Counties. The Senator hopes his constituents will provide feedback based on the information included in this article. He welcomes all opinions and suggestions in the hope of encouraging a public conversation around the budget process. He can be reached in Augusta at 287-1505, in Bucksport at 469-3779, or by e-mail at rrosen113@aol.com.

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