LePage focuses on energy costs, creating jobs

Lowering energy costs, creating good-paying jobs and reducing taxes were among the main points Gov. Paul LePage highlighted in his first State of the State address last night. The governor has earned good marks from both sides of the aisle for his speech's positive tone.

In his address, LePage said his administration's efforts to reduce regulatory red tape have "changed the culture of state agencies from no to can-do" and helped attract companies to Maine, including tech firm Carbonite, which recently moved its support operations from India to Lewiston. He said his continuing agenda will focus on the high costs of doing business in Maine, including the cost of energy, which puts Maine at a competitive disadvantage compared with other states. He spoke against proposals to boost Maine's use of renewable energy, however, saying it "[pads] the pockets of special interest groups." He also called for more scrutiny of statistics on energy conservation, saying Maine is "being sold a bill of goods," and that programs that use taxpayer dollars for energy efficiency should also be charged with studying cost effectiveness.

LePage also said more must be done to raise the wages of Mainers to meet the national average, and that education should be a main focus to increase the state's global competitiveness. He also said he plans to submit more proposals to further reduce tax burdens for Maine residents, and unveiled a program that will help connect local communities with job creators and recognize job-friendly communities in the state.

Both Republican and Democrat lawmakers said his remarks were positive and conciliatory, according to the Portland Press Herald. The Maine chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business gave LePage high marks for his focus on improving the business climate through reducing taxes, regulations and energy costs, according to a press release. Maine Citizens for Clean Energy said LePage's goals of creating jobs and lowering energy costs would be best achieved by greater investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency.