News

Revenue Forecast Anticipates Increase in General Fund Revenue for FY 2014 and 2015    

Uncertainty in Washington, D.C. causes caution in spending

AUGUSTA – The Maine Revenue Forecasting Committee (RFC) met today to discuss the fall economic forecast due to the Governor and Legislature no later than December 1, 2013.

The formal report will not be released until sometime next week. But at the meeting today the committee publicly indicated a forecasted General Fund revenue increase of approximately $12.86 million in fiscal year 2014 and $7.77 million in fiscal year 2015.

“This is a sign that the economy is improving, but there is much more work to be done,” Governor Paul R. LePage said. “Maine still faces many challenges, and we will continue to push for fiscal responsibility and long-term stability.”

State Finance Commissioner, H. Sawin Millett Jr. is cautioning legislators about the anticipated increase in revenue, particularly given that the changes made in this forecast are relatively small and lack the benefit of information that will be available to the RFC when they meet for the next forecast in March 2014.

“While a positive development, the RFC’s forecast for the current biennium comes on the heels of a $58 million downward projection from May 2013 and continuing uncertainty surrounding future fiscal policy at the federal level,” said Commissioner Millett. “I believe the revenue forecast due in March 2014 will provide a more telling picture of revenue projections over the balance of the biennium, as that report will contain the information on sales tax receipts from the holiday shopping season and the final estimated tax payments made by individual and corporate filers.”

At the meeting today, the RFC also forecasted a revenue increase from their March 2013 report of approximately $8.8 million total in fiscal years 2016 and 2017. The forecast for the Highway Fund includes an estimated increase of $1.65 million for fiscal years 2014 and 2015, as well as an increase of $1.87 million for fiscal years 2016 and 2017.

“Today’s revenue forecast reflects the slow economic recovery that Maine and most of the nation are experiencing,” said Dr. Michael Allen, Associate Commissioner for Tax Policy. “Continued uncertainty on the federal level relative to the ongoing discussions in Washington on the budget, sequestration and debt ceiling is causing businesses and consumers alike to be more cautious about how they spend their hard-earned money."

The RFC consists of the State Budget Officer, the Associate Commissioner for Tax Policy, the State Economist and an economist on the faculty of the University of Maine System selected by the chancellor, the Director of the Office of Fiscal and Program Review and another member of the Legislature's nonpartisan staff familiar with revenue estimating issues appointed by the Legislative Council.

The First 1,000 Days of Governor Paul R. LePage

Accomplishments highlighted in free booklet available to the public

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage released today a comprehensive booklet of accomplishments from his first 1,000 days in office. A compilation of more than 25 pages of achievements, the booklet is titled Moving Maine Forward.

Moving Maine Forward details the LePage Administration’s most notable achievements, such as paying Maine’s hospital welfare debt and passing the largest tax cut in the state’s history, as well as many lesser-known successes, such as launching an online licensing process for electricians, real estate professional and physical therapists.

A web version of the Moving Maine Forward is free to the public and available on the Governor’s website.

“Our Administration has set clear priorities that focus on creating a more prosperous place for Mainers in the state we call home,” Governor LePage said. “This is not just political rhetoric. Our efforts have yielded real results, including job creation, lowering taxes and welfare reform, and in this booklet we highlight these common-sense reforms and how they are truly moving Maine forward.”

During the past 1,000 days, Governor LePage has proved he is able to keep campaign promises and improve Maine’s economy. From January 2011 to October 2013, Maine’s private sector grew by 8,000 jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The growth may be attributed to a number of initiatives, which are outlined in the booklet, including tax incentives that encourage job creators to invest in Maine, regulatory reform that streamlines the licensing and permitting process and changing the culture of state government from adversarial to “can do.”

The state’s unemployment rate has also dropped 12.5 percent from January 2011 to August 2013, decreasing from nearly 8 percent to 7 percent. For almost three years, the LePage Administration has focused on initiatives that help develop job skills and training for Mainers searching for work.

Under the Governor’s leadership, veterans now have the ability to transfer their military training to the civilian workforce, helping them get jobs. Fees for driver’s licenses and ID cards for current and recently discharged members of the Armed Forces have been waived, and opportunities for disabled veterans to hunt, fish and trap have been increased during the LePage Administration.

“Micro-business” entrepreneurs now have health insurance relief, easing the cost of doing business and enabling those business owners to invest more into the economy, thanks to initiatives supported by the Governor.

The Administration has also assisted nearly 800 Mainers with disabilities to find employment success by working with the Department of Labor, resulting in more than $13 million in wages and supported welfare reform to help recipients find long-term employment and become self-sufficient.

“Because more Mainers are working, the Unemployment Insurance Tax rate will drop in 2014 to its lowest rate since 2009,” said Governor LePage. “That will save businesses $30 million in 2014 – that’s $30 million that can be reinvested in Maine’s economy.”

Moving Maine Forward also highlights other reforms led and/or supported by the Governor, including reforms or improvements in:

• Welfare
• Financial Stability
• Environmental Protection/Natural Resources
• Education
• Energy
• Domestic Violence
• Public Safety
• Reducing Red Tape

A free copy of Moving Maine Forward is available on the Office of the Governor website. The published version of the book is available at the Office of the Governor.

Our Accomplishments are “Moving Maine Forward”

Our administration has been working non-stop since we took office to reform government and improve the lives of Mainers. We often get bogged down in the daily battles over politics or the intensity of getting our work done. So it’s nice to stop, step back and take stock of what we’ve done.

Hello, this is Governor Paul LePage.

I’m the first to admit that I am a hard-charging person who likes to tackle tough problems head-on. But once I’ve fixed the problem, I’m on to the next.

Sometimes it’s easy to forget just how much our administration has accomplished in such a short time. When I saw that one governor passes out a card with his major accomplishments on it, I suggested we do the same.

That four-by-six card has since turned into a 28-page book. Entitled “Moving Maine Forward,” the book lists our administration’s accomplishments since we took office.

Some of these accomplishments are well known. We paid the hospitals 750 million dollars of welfare debt owed to them. We passed the largest tax cut in Maine’s history, and we reduced welfare cases by 41 percent.

In most administrations, that would be enough. But we have done so much more.

We have improved the state’s fiscal standing, eliminating almost two-billion-dollars of pension liability, right-sizing state government and bringing accountability to the Maine Turnpike Authority and Maine State Housing Authority.

Most importantly, we are changing the culture of state government to make it more business friendly. We have cut red tape and streamlined regulations, which have allowed companies to do what they do best: create jobs. We believe government should work with job creators, not against them.

Our efforts are paying off. At least 8,000 jobs have been created since we took office. Because of this job growth, fewer Mainers are unemployed. The unemployment rate in Maine has been lower than the national average since I have been in office.

Because more Mainers are working, the Unemployment Insurance Tax rate will drop in 2014 to its lowest rate since 2009. That will save businesses 30-million-dollars in 2014 – that is 30-million that can be reinvested in Maine’s economy.

Our book lists major achievements by all state agencies. These range from protecting our environment to improving our schools to repairing roads and bridges. We have helped our veterans, we have improved public safety, and we have brought awareness to domestic violence.

We cannot list all of our accomplishments in this short time. Please look for our book, “Moving Maine Forward,” which is available on M

Maine State Chamber and Maine Development Foundation release "Making Maine Work: Growing Maine's Workforce"

 

Fourth report in the Making Maine Work series proposes strategic actions
to increase the size of Maine's workforce by 65,000 by the year 2020

 

AUGUSTA - The Maine State Chamber of Commerce (MSCC) and the Maine Development Foundation (MDF) released "Making Maine Work: Growing Maine's Workforce" at a press conference on Tuesday, November 19, 2013.  The "Making Maine Work" series provides strategies for raising incomes and improving productivity.  Central to any strategy is an available and skilled workforce. 

 

This fourth report in the series is about one aspect of the workforce problem - the size of the workforce.  It is theoretically distinct from the issue of workforce skills, which will be the subject of the next "Making Maine Work" report (to be released in the spring of 2014).  "Making Maine Work: Growing Maine's Workforce" discusses the correlation between workforce quantity and quality as a critical factor in Maine's economy.

 

"There is a real sense of urgency here-Maine's economy will not have a workforce with diverse skills unless there are enough people of diverse talents to fill the openings," said Dana Connors, president of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce.  "We need both quantity and quality to be successful.  The two are interrelated, which is why Maine's workforce is a priority focus for both the Maine State Chamber and the Maine Development Foundation."

 

The most recent report in the "Making Maine Work" series examines the economic implications that the size of Maine's workforce in the face of a declining population will have on our state.  More importantly, it offers a comprehensive strategy for growing Maine's workforce by 65,000 by the year 2020.  Through the utilization of two basic strategies - increasing participation in the workforce among the existing population, and attracting people from outside the state to come live and work here - Maine would gain 45,000 workers, instead of losing 20,000. 

 

"Expanding Maine's workforce is vital to improving our economy," said Cheryl Miller, interim president and CEO of the Maine Development Foundation.  "It can also improve the lives of Maine citizens and add to our culture and social fabric.  We all benefit when everyone who is already here is fully engaged in our economy, and increasing our diversity can make Maine an even better and more attractive place to live."

 

The action plan outlines five recommendations, which encourage employment in targeted sectors of the population, specifically people with disabilities, seniors 65 Years and over who are not currently working, young adults, disengaged youth, veterans, and foreign workers.  The strategy includes maximizing existing efforts to adopt measurable workforce growth goals for Maine; to establish an ongoing committee of state policy leaders and private sector interests to guide and coordinate Maine's workforce goals; to create a private sector Maine Marketing Commission and elevate marketing efforts; to promote strategies to build the workforce for each of the specific groups; and, to create a resource for resettling refugees that Maine municipalities can use to prepare for, and benefit from, new community members.

 

This report builds on a number of prior reports released by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and the Maine Development Foundation as part of its ongoing "Making Maine Work" series.  A 2010 survey of 1,000 Maine business leaders conducted by the MDF to learn more about the critical issues businesses face revealed that Maine's loyal and skilled workforce was a top benefit to operating a business in Maine.  We need to ensure that it remains so.

 

"This is not a new issue - we've known that our demographic trends have been pointing in this direction for some time," Connors added. "It's been getting a lot of attention from a lot of different places recently. We're here today to talk about the urgency of implementing our proposed solutions - realistic and meaningful targets to grow our workforce and straightforward recommendations for how we can get to where we want, and need, to be."

 

Funding for this report was provided, in part, by Kaplan University, the University of New England, Unum, the Maine Community Foundation and Saint Joseph's College of Maine. 

 

The full document can be accessed online at www.mainechamber.org/makingmainework.

 

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About the Making Maine Work Series.

Making Maine Work:   Critical Investments for the Maine Economy   is a comprehensive action plan for improving productivity, growing the economy, and providing a higher quality of life for all Maine people.  Released in July 2010, the original report and recommendations were the result of a joint effort between the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and the Maine Development Foundation.  It explored the investments needed to grow the economy and the factors that influence those decisions. Subsequent editions have provided in-depth looks at various issues that affect Maine's economy - "The Role of Maine's Public University System," released in December 2010, and "Investment in Young Children  = Real Economic Development," release in January 2012.

        Along with Making Maine Work, MDF published two background reports: Maine's Investment Imperative II: Unleashing the Potential, an in-depth review of more than 100 reports and recommendations on key issues influencing investments in Maine, and the results of the Investment Imperative Survey with 1,000 Maine Businesses.

 

About the Maine State Chamber of Commerce.

        As the state's most influential business advocate, the  Maine State Chamber of Commerce  works to ensure a business climate in which Maine State Chamber members, large and small, can compete successfully in the local, regional, national, and world marketplaces.  As The Voice of Maine Business, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce proudly represents a network of 5,000 businesses of all sectors, sizes, and regions.  It advocates on their behalf daily before the Legislature, state departments, and various levels of state government. 

 

About the Maine Development Foundation.

        The   Maine Development Foundation  (MDF) is a private, non-partisan membership organization that drives sustainable, long-term economic growth for the State of Maine. MDF's strategic focus is a productive workforce. We believe that a productive worker is one that is educated, healthy, innovative, and engaged in their community and the economy. MDF stimulates new ideas, develops leaders, and provides common ground for solving problems and advancing issues by empowering leaders; strengthening communities; and, guiding public policy with trusted economic research. Created in statute in 1978, MDF is a unique and trusted non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. MDF works statewide across all sectors.

FMH Expands Services with Vascular Clinic

Specializes in the diagnosis and management of arterial and venous disorders

Farmington¾

 

Franklin Memorial Hospital and Maine Medical Partners MaineHealth Cardiology are providing a monthly Vascular Clinic starting November 21 at the Androscoggin Valley Medical Arts Center (AVMAC) at 21 Main Street in Livermore Falls.

 

Initially, Paul Frey, MD, MPH, will be scheduled to provide services once a month and Brad Roberts, a vascular technologist, will provide diagnostic imaging services twice a month. The clinic will specialize in the diagnosis and management of arterial and venous disorders.

 

Patients with vascular disease may have medical problems such as atherosclerosis, nonhealing wounds, deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins, lymphedema, and peripheral vascular disease.

 

Dr. Frey specializes in peripheral vascular disease, a slow and progressive circulation disorder in which organs may not receive adequate blood flow for ordinary function. However, the legs and feet are most commonly affected. Complications may include limb amputation, heart attack, and stroke.

 

Dr. Frey is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine with subspecialties in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Interventional Cardiology. He received his medical degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School, followed by a residency in Internal Medicine at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Most recently Dr. Frey completed Fellowships at the University of California - San Francisco, Moffitt Hospital in Cardiology, and at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Interventional Cardiology.

 

To schedule an appointment, call 897-6601.

First Lady Ann LePage and Bread of Life Ministries to Accept Donation for the National Veterans Family Center from Operation Hat Trick

AUGUSTA– Maine’s First Lady Ann M. LePage, along with Dean Lachance, Executive Director for Bread of Life Ministries, will formally accept a donation for The Travis Mills Project – National Veterans Family Center from Operation Hat Trick on Monday, November 18, 2013 at the Blaine House beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Operation Hat Trick (OHT), a New Hampshire based organization that generates awareness, support, and funding for the recovery of America’s wounded warriors, both active service members and veterans, through the sale of OHT branded merchandise, is pleased to announce that it is donating to the National Veteran’s Family Center – The Travis Mills’ Project.

Founder of OHT, Dot Sheehan, says, “It is critical that OHT make direct donations and after meeting Travis Mills, the 5^th living quadruple amputee at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in July and visiting the National Veterans Family Center in August, I knew OHT had to make a donation. This camp will help so many veterans continue their recovery.” OHT is donating monies specifically to build another 100% handicapped accessible cabin at the camp and is committed to funding one campership annually.

“I am so pleased to have another supporter on board for the National Veterans’ Family Center,” Mrs. LePage said. “This is such an important project and once fully funded will benefit veterans from all across this nation. We had such a successful proof-of-concept in August; I’m looking forward to ‘full steam ahead’ during this next year in preparation of military families coming to Maine next summer.”

For more information about Operation Hat Trick, please visit www.operationhattrick.com and for more information on The Travis Mills Project – National Veterans Family Center, please visit www.veteransfamilycamp.com

Governor and First Lady Thank Mainers for Food Donations 

Third Annual Blaine House Food Drive brings in 1,728 pounds

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage and First Lady Ann M. LePage would like to thank everyone who graciously donated food to the Third Annual Blaine House Food Drive. This year, Mainers donated 1,728 pounds of food, which will help needy families throughout the State this holiday season.

“Each year, Paul and I see familiar faces and we see new ones too who are making this food drive an annual tradition with their families,” said First Lady Ann LePage. “As the holidays approach we are reminded of how fortunate our family is, and it feels good to give back to those who need it. With your help, this is one way we will make a positive difference in our communities.”

This was the third consecutive year Maine’s First Family welcomed the public at their residence as part of the food drive. In addition to accepting donations on behalf of the Good Shepherd Food Bank and offering their heartfelt thanks, the Governor and First Lady invited the public to tour the residence and enjoy light refreshments.

Good Shepherd will determine the communities that need the food most and then distribute the donations accordingly.

“As someone who has been without, I know how meaningful these donations can be in bettering the lives of those less fortunate as they get on their feet,” said Governor LePage. “Ann and I are happy to open the Blaine House for this cause, and we are so proud and appreciative of the generosity of our fellow citizens in helping our neighbors in need. It is not government hand-outs, but the great compassion and commitment Maine people and community organizations like Good Shepherd have for lending a hand-up, that is improving lives and strengthening our great state.”

Good Shepherd supplies food from Kittery to Fort Kent through their partner network of more than 600 food pantries, soup kitchens and other hunger-relief organizations.

“We are very thankful to have the support of the Governor and his family, along with all the community members who made donations during the Blaine House food drives,” said Kristen Miale, president of the Good Shepherd Food Bank. “As we prepare for the long winter ahead, the Food Bank is working to make sure we’re able to provide an ongoing supply of high-quality food items to 36,000 Mainers each week. These food drives will certainly help us reach that goal.”

Governor LePage Welcomes New Ferry Service to Maine 

Governor’s support helps restore economic driver between two regions

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage welcomed Nova Star Cruises to Maine on Tuesday as the company officially announced the new ferry service between Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and Portland, Maine will begin in May 2014.

“Nova Scotia and Maine have a unique opportunity to connect its citizens and economies. With this critical link restored, we can build on the ferry service as an economic driver and continue to build partnerships between the two regions,” said Governor Paul LePage.

The Province of Nova Scotia has signed an agreement with Quest Navigation, Inc. – a Maine-based company – and ST Marine Ltd. to restore the Yarmouth-Portland ferry service. The Cat, which operated from 2006 to 2009, was the last ferry service between the two regions.

In August, Governor LePage welcomed Nova Scotia's economic development minister to Maine as productive talks continued on the development of a new ferry service. The Governor met with Graham Steele, the province’s Minister of Economic and Rural Development, at the Ocean Gateway in Portland where he formally offered Minister Steele marketing assistance from the State of Maine, as well as help to secure an operating line of credit from a lending institution.

“We are excited to have reached an agreement with the province, and we are looking forward to offering passengers a unique and entertaining travel experience between Yarmouth and Portland,” said Mark Amundsen, president and CEO, Quest Navigation. “Over the next few months we will continue to work full steam ahead with the province, our partners and the tourism industry to begin ferry service in May 2014.”

Nova Star Cruises estimates that more than 100,000 passengers will travel on the brand-new, cruise ferry, Nova Star, in the first year of operation.

Company officials will release more details about Nova Star and the service, including fare structure, exclusive vacation packages and other passenger and tourism operator information, in Nova Scotia and Portland over the coming weeks.

Drug-Dependent Newborns, a Disturbing Trend

Hello, this is Governor Paul LePage.

Recently, I read an article about the spike in drug-dependent newborns in the State of Tennessee.  The article focuses on a 3 ½ week-old boy born hooked on drugs. He is part of a trend that predicts some 800 drug-dependent babies in Tennessee this year.

What I find most troubling: Maine is about to beat that record.

So far this year, Maine has about 770 drug-dependent or drug-affected newborns.  And we are projecting more than 800 by the end of this year.

Babies born with symptoms of withdrawal from drugs is a condition known as neonatal abstinence syndrome, or NAS. The syndrome occurs most commonly with opiate use undefined from prescription painkillers to illegal drugs like heroin during pregnancy.

We know that in Maine about half of the children born affected by drug use had a mother who used opioids during pregnancy.

According to a  2012 study from the University of Michigan and the University of Pittsburgh, about one baby is born every hour addicted to opiate drugs in the United States. In Maine, about one in every 12 babies is born drug-affected and we know that both in our State and in the nation, these numbers are under-reported.

The study also points to how costly the problem is. The national average hospital charge for NAS births in 2009 was about $53,000 with state welfare programs covering nearly 80 percent of those charges. In contrast, according to the United States Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, in 2009, a regular, uncomplicated birth at a Maine hospital costs an average of $5,900.

However, I want to be clear: more important than cost are the effects to these children. I am deeply concerned about the suffering and long-term consequences these newborns are subjected to.

In order to restore good health to these babies, many go through drug withdrawals, as adults do. I have heard about babies clawing at their faces, having tremors, having trouble eating and becoming dehydrated. The acute withdrawal period can take up to a week.

This is no way to start life.

I am working with Commissioner Mary Mayhew of the Department of Health and Human Services to address this growing problem. The University of Maine and Eastern Maine Medical Center are conducting research and we are looking at how the State of Tennessee is addressing drug-dependent newborns.  

This is an issue we ought to all be concerned about and be willing to work together on to find solutions. It is my hope we can reverse this troubling trend, because our children’s future depends on it.

Thank you for listening.

Governor Kicks Off Salvation Army’s State Wide Kettle Campaign 

Salvation Army provides services and programs to more than 55,000 Mainers statewide during holidays and throughout year

AUGUSTA – The Salvation Army will kick off its Annual Christmas Kettle effort when Governor Paul R. LePage brings greetings in a brief ceremony to be held at the Statehouse in Augusta on Thursday, Nov. 14, 9:00 a.m.

“For 122 years, Salvation Army red kettles around the world have been linked to the Christmas season and to compassion for the needy,” said Governor LePage. “The heart of Maine beats especially strong this time of year. Mainers are generous people known to help our neighbors and the kettle campaign is one way to help those who need it most.”

The charitable organization expects to have more than 100 red kettles throughout the state on street corners and shopping areas through December 24th.   The Salvation Army statewide Kettle campaign goal is $800,000.

Last year, funds donated at these kettles enabled The Salvation Army to provide services and programs to more than 55,000 men, women and children statewide during the holidays and throughout the year.

Major David Dickson, corps commanding officer says, “We invite all community residents to join us in this effort to ensure that families in the communities we serve receive assistance such as food, clothing, utilities and more,” stated Major Dickson.

A Salvation Army Brass Ensemble will also be part of the festivities playing holiday carols.  

Other local communities may host their own kettle kick-off event in addition to this statewide kick off.

If you are unable to make it to one of the Salvation Army kettles, please visit www.onlineredkettle.org to make a donation.

For further information please contact Major David Dickson (207) 623-3752 or Patricia James at (207) 774-6304 ext. 232.