RELEASE: Poliquin: Stop the Budget Crisis Cycle

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 23, 2010
CONTACT: BRIAN PHILLIPS
207-272-0363
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Brunswick – Today, Bruce Poliquin, candidate for Governor, called for the State Legislature to address the root causes of Maine’s continual budget crisis.  Poliquin, a business manager with extensive experience in finance, said the pattern of overspending, deficits, borrowing, and increasing taxes must end in order to create a sustainable economy for Maine.

“As this year’s budget crisis nears an end, the need to address fundamental reforms in how our state government manages state resources could not be more apparent,” said Poliquin. “Every year we face budget emergencies that stem from overspending, deficits and debt.  Instead of addressing the root causes of our continual budget crisis, Augusta reacts with business-as-usual: borrow, tax, and cut, while pushing real reform to future Governors and Legislatures.”

“The cycle must stop,” Poliquin declared. “We must begin the difficult process of evaluating what services we should provide and being honest about what we can afford.  Building a sustainable economy starts with making realistic revenue projections and a commitment to spend only what we take in.  We must then prioritize the most important services state government should offer and avoid the temptation to be all things to all people.”

Recent press reports indicate there will still be significant reductions in funding for education, as well as resources for the elderly and disabled.

“If we come together to reform our social service programs so that we’re no more generous than the national averages, we will have the necessary resources to ensure a quality education for our kids and help those who truly need it, “Poliquin added.

-30-