I believe government in Maine takes more than enough of your hard-earned money to provide quality services, but you and I both know that government spends your money inefficiently. Much of that inefficiency comes from the way we’ve structured government in Maine over many generations.

I plan to fix the problem.

But to do that, I’ll need your active support, and your strong commitment to see the familiar structures of local, county and state government changed dramatically. Fewer yet more efficient units of government dedicated to higher quality performance is the key – just as it is in every budget across Maine. We can still keep local input and accountability while utilizing the best practices of other states that have more streamlined and efficient delivery of government services at a lower cost. This will help us attract world-class jobs and businesses.  

As we rebuild the way government is organized, we will require coupling spending reductions and government efficiencies with a corresponding lowering of the state tax burden. This effort will take innovation and new thinking on how government delivers services. It will also require us to take a fresh look at our outdated tax code and make it simpler and more competitive with other states.