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January 10, 2008

State of State includes biz initiatives

In a State of the State speech touching on everything from heating oil costs to the Harold Alfond Foundation's grants for Maine children, Governor John Baldacci last night laid out several new initiatives intended to bolster Maine businesses.

Among his initiatives, Baldacci has asked John Richardson, commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development, and Maine State Chamber of Commerce President Dana Connors to work with the Legislature to improve Maine's business climate by encouraging more coordination within communities and a local and regional emphasis to economic development. Baldacci said he also tapped former American Skiing Company owner Les Otten to lead a business and Department of Conservation effort to pursue renewable energy development in Maine. And Baldacci committed to finding a "less contentious and more sustainable" funding alternative for the DirigoChoice health program. The full text of the governor's speech can be found here.

The Republican response to the speech, written by Senate Minority Leader Carol Weston of Montville, calls for eliminating "all of the state agencies that pretend to provide economic development" and relying on private sector business attraction agencies like Maine & Co., in Portland. Weston also called for lower taxes, and health insurance and education reform. The entire Republican response can be read here.

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