Governor Paul Lepage (R) gave his annual?State of the State Address yesterday.
Last year, LePage was only one of four governors to receive an “A” rating for his fiscal record from the right-wing Cato Institute. However,?yesterday was a step?back to reality for the Governor when he delivered his yearly State of the State Address. In his speech, LePage had three major points he discussed which included welfare reform, heating and energy, and taxation. ?However,?most unusual this year was that LePage’s main budget priority was upon welfare reform, a?topic that all of his right-winged friends can jump on board with.
Furthermore LePage has this to say:
“Maine needs common-sense welfare reforms. We are drug testing TANF recipients. Welfare dollars should not support a drug habit.”
While his allegations seem foolproof, there is actually one large fallacy that he forgot to mention. Welfare fraud is not as prevalent as he and his Republican cohorts think it is.
Bryce Covert, an online writer at Think Progress?wrote an article about how Tennessee started drug testing their welfare recipients. This?study that was meant to end the rampant fraud only found that one?out of more than?800 people tested positive for illegal substances.?This is a mere 1/10 of one percent, but we already know how much a fraction of a percent means to Governor LePage.?
Next Governor Paul LePage spoke out?on spending:
“My plan cuts spending. It gives money back to you: the Maine people.”
While he?may have high hopes for reducing the tax rate and putting money back?into the pockets?of the people,?he forgot to specify where the cuts will come from?to make up the?revenue loss. ?The most likely place that the cuts will start will be with social insurance programs which is something many rely on. These cuts only further Governor LePage’s tough love agenda that has already cost him respect and credibility within the political spectrum.
Next, he made comments??on heating and energy in Maine stating:
“Maine?s renewable energy policies are broken ? they are expensive and ineffective.”
His first point to prove that Maine had fallen behind was regarding the paper mills in Millinocket and Bucksport. However, Governor?LePage, a former businessman, fails to take into consideration the effect the digital era has had on the paper industry.
It’s like trying to fix an old rusty car. The beauty is there; however, it’s underneath a layer of rust that has to be removed properly. Hopefully, LePage will get back in touch with reality and realize his plan may not be the proper way of bringing Maine back to her former glory.
