Local Columns
Money talks
By Sen. Peter B. Bowman
Here in Maine it is becoming evident that summertime is upon us. The signs of the season are more and more noticeable: the flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping, the grass is green and the days are continuously getting longer, brighter and warmer. Good times are ahead! Heck, even the Red Sox are ahead of the Yankees and in first place!
At the State House, this time of year brings upon us a different breed of season. The (work) days are longer and you begin to hear chirping of other sorts and talks about green, but it is not grass. You guessed it - it's budget season for the Maine Legislature!
Numerous challenges face us with some difficult decisions in the days and weeks ahead. The Maine Constitution requires a balanced budget by June 30, 2007. Aside from the constitutional constraints, major factors to be addressed in the budget include school administration consolidation, taxes, overcrowded corrections facilities and increased healthcare costs. This is complicated by a revenue shortfall resulting from the state making good on the voter-approved initiative to meet the 55 percent threshold for school funding, which requires an additional $174 million over the next two years. Lastly, the budget requires a supermajority of two-thirds approval from the Legislature for enactment.
As the budget season begins to heat up, please know that nearly "everything" is currently on the table for discussion. The fact that this budget will need a two-thirds supermajority for passage mandates a strong bipartisan effort to achieve the required cooperation, compromise and consideration for all interests.
It is important to remember that every decision made has potential impact on all the others. For example, if we do not create savings from school administration consolidation, then where else will we find the millions it was booked to save? Do we reduce or cut state programs? As you can see, each item for consideration in the budget raises a plethora of questions in need of answers.
One must always consider the big picture in trying to balance the state budget. We must continue to work and build for the future, while addressing the issues of today. An easy way for us to end up in the wrong place is to make a number of wrong turns. Instead, the budget should consist of key investments for economic development initiatives that have proven results like the small business centers and strategic funds to support tourism, information technology, as well as a skilled workforce generated from the community college and University of Maine systems to support and grow the economy.
As a state, it is essential that we protect our quality of life, preserve our health, increase economic and job opportunities and ensure quality education and government services are provided in a more efficient manner. Protection of all these interests will lead to a stronger Maine. Doing that will move us in the right direction!
Senator Bowman represents York County in Senate District 1, which includes the communities of Eliot, Kittery, Ogunquit, South Berwick and York. Bowman is chair of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee and serves as a member of the Insurance and Financial Services Committee.
