BANGOR - Gov.-elect Paul LePage's effort to engage Maineentrepreneurs in his attempt to improve the state's business climateis well under way, though that same effort is still unfolding underthe Capitol dome.
With state government gearing up this week for LePage'sinauguration and the return of lawmakers to Augusta on Wednesday,Mainers are about to see what becomes of the new Republicanmajority's marquee campaign issue of improving the state's businessclimate. Legislators will have lots of suggestions from the privatesector, judging by early attendance at an extensive series of publicmeetings.
To date, six of 16 "Red Tape Audit" meetings called for by LePageand organized by the state's chambers of commerce have taken place.According to LePage Communications Director Dan Demeritt, who saidhe has been to every meeting, there has been healthy attendance andeven healthier discourse.
"At every one of these meetings we get new ideas and really goodanecdotes about what people out there are having to deal with," saidDemeritt. "There have been a lot of really descriptive and heart-felt examples of people just trying to make it and deal with thebusiness climate."
Demeritt said there have already been a myriad suggestions, witha few broader themes emerging, such as the cost of employer-basedhealth insurance and the state's tax burden.
Another common complaint is about difficulties dealing with stateagencies and the perception that government is an impediment tobusiness when it should be an ally.
"What frustrates people the most is the attitudinal stuff," saidDemeritt.
In a recent memo to the LePage campaign, Bangor Region Chamber ofCommerce President and CEO John Porter reported a "lively" Dec. 11red tape audit at Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor.
Concerns identified by chamber members ranged from the inabilityto hire juveniles for seasonal employment to one businessman whosaid, "If I have to hire an attorney to be able to follow a rule orregulation, then you've made it too complicated."
With another 10 Red Tape Audit meetings scheduled before Feb. 4and several more being organized, there are ample opportunities forpublic input. Regardless, legislative leadership is scheduling aseparate series of public hearings on the same theme. The publichearings will be presided over by the Legislature's Joint SelectCommittee on Regulatory Fairness and Reform, which was formed thissession to work on business climate issues.
Rep. Andre Cushing, R-Hampden, the assistant House majorityleader, said legislative leaders are planning to have the committeemeet in several locations across Maine that can be broadcast overthe Internet wherever possible.
"There are a lot of folks out there who have good ideas that justget lost," said Cushing. "We want this to be about people feelingthat they understand more of the process and can give us insights."
Cushing said legislative leaders will meet this week to draft aformal schedule.
With the deadline for legislators to submit bills at the end ofthis week, Cushing said, there are already at least 25 submissionsthat deal with improving various aspects of the state's businessclimate. The first bill submitted, known in government parlance asL.D. 1, is titled "An Act to Ensure Regulatory Fairness and Reform."The bill, which will be written by the committee in the course ofthe legislative session, will be influenced heavily by what islearned from the public, said Cushing.
"Having a depth of knowledge in any given area is difficultunless you have a career in that field," said Cushing. "As alegislator it's important to me to have folks who I can rely on totell me how whatever legislation we're passing would hurt or hinderthem."
Though Republicans hold the majority in the House and Senate forthe first time in decades, Democrats also will play a role in theprocess. Rep. Robert Duchesne, D-Hudson, who is the ranking Housemember on the regulatory fairness committee, said improving Maine'sbusiness climate is one issue where there is little disagreementbetween the parties.
"We are not coming into this with the idea that this is themajority versus the minority," said Duchesne. "As Democrats we haveall the interest we always did in these issues. Our ideas will bepart of the equation."
Duchesne said he's heard "literally nothing" about how theregulatory fairness committee will operate, which concerns him withthe Legislature reconvening this week and mammoth budget challengesfacing LePage and the Legislature.
Demeritt said LePage will nominate two key cabinet members - thecommissioners of environmental protection and economic development -perhaps as early as Monday.
Demeritt would not identify the nominees, but said they shareLePage's vision of a business-friendly state and his goal ofcreating business advocates within state government.
"We're not looking to grease the skids for bad projects, butwe're looking for that type of mentality where as a business owneryou have someone you can count on who's pushing for you," saidDemeritt.
ccousins@bangordailynews.com
207-487-4796
Red Tape Audit meetings scheduled for next few weeks
Tuesday, Jan. 4: Portland Regional Chamber, 10 a.m.-noon,location to be decided.
Saturday, Jan. 8, Sebasticook Valley Chamber, 9-11 a.m., NewportCultural Center in Newport.
Tuesday, Jan. 11 (tentative), Aroostook County Chambers (FortFairfield, Presque Isle, Katahdin, Caribou, Fort Kent), time andlocation to be decided.
Wednesday, Jan. 12, Boothbay Harbor Chamber of Commerce, 8:30a.m., location to be decided.
Thursday, Jan. 13, Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce, 7:30 a.m.,location to be decided.
Friday, Jan. 14, Sanford Chamber of Commerce, 8 a.m., SanfordCity Hall.
Tuesday, Jan. 18, Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce, 7:30 a.m.,Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce conference room.
Wednesday, Jan. 19, Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce, 8:30a.m., Saco Ramada.
Friday, Jan. 21, York Chamber of Commerce, 8-10 a.m., CapeNeddick Inn Restaurant in York.
Friday, Feb. 4, Jay-Livermore Falls Chamber of Commerce, 8-9a.m., LaFleur's Restaurant in Jay.
For more information about the meetings, contact the Chamber ofCommerce involved.
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