Maine news, sports, weather | Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine

THE LEPAGE AGENDA

Business leaders target red tape

Advocates for the environment, consumers, public health take no part in meeting

By Tom Bell tbell@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

AUGUSTA -- Gov.-elect Paul LePage is asking businesses and industry groups to help him reduce the regulations they believe hinder economic development.

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Gov.-elect Paul LePage, right, listens as Clifton Greim, of Harriman Associates, foreground, speaks during a meeting with the Maine Business Association Roundtable to hear their ideas about his Red Tape Removal Audit on Tuesday at the Augusta Civic Center.

Staff photo by Joe Phelan

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He launched this effort Tuesday at an unprecedented meeting at the Augusta Civic Center. LePage asked about 100 gathered business people for their ideas -- and political support -- when he presents a package of regulatory reform bills to the Legislature.

"What can we do to assist you to provide better jobs in Maine?" LePage asked the crowd.

Absent from those invited to the forum were environmental groups, public health advocates and consumer advocates. LePage said those groups will have an opportunity to weigh in on his proposals as part of the legislative process.

The approach drew criticism.

Peter Didisheim, a lobbyist for the Natural Resources Council of Maine, said past governors have reached out to all sides before submitting major legislation.

Didisheim stressed Maine's environmental laws were written over 50 years with broad bipartisan support. Before LePage submits legistion to roll them back, the governor-elect should at least take some time to hear from people who offer a different perspective, he said.

"There are many voices that need to be he heard," said Didisheim. "This is not a balanced and fair approach to the policy process."

Tuesday's forum was sponsored by the Maine Business Association Roundtable, a group of lobbyists for chambers of commerce and trade groups that represent general contractors, merchants, auto dealers and real estate agents.

Twenty-eight representatives of these groups sat at a table with LePage on Tuesday and listed an assortment of regulations they described as well-intended but burdensome -- regulations related to the environment, civil rights, public health, child labor laws and tax policy.

The business leaders, however, urged LePage to first focus on improving the state's economic climate, rather than spearhead groundbreaking legislation.

"Resist all efforts to create first-in-the-nation anything," said Steve DiMillo, whose family owns DiMillo's Floating Restaurant in Portland.

The group gave LePage a standing ovation, and several veteran business lobbyists said afterward they'd never before seen such a meeting between a governor-elect and businesses, calling it "remarkable" and "refreshing."

Business people in Maine are used to government leaders telling them what to do, said Anne Gauthier, who heads the public affairs office for National Semiconductor in South Portland and chairs the Portland Regional Chamber.

"Today, for the first time, we feel like we are part of the solution," she said.

LePage said he wants state regulators to stop erecting roadblocks and instead work in partnership with the business community to create jobs.

Tuesday's meeting was the first step in what he calls his "red tape removal audit." LePage said he wants other businesses and business organizations around the state to hold local meetings and develop ideas for legislative action.

He said he plans to introduce a package or regulatory reform bills, but will need the businesses community's political support.

"We need you to help challenge the Legislature," he said. "We are already on your side."

In a postmeeting interview, LePage said he wants to find the right balance between job creation and quality of life.

He also said comments at the meeting reinforced his belief that state regulation is hindering economic growth.

"It's far worse than what I thought," he said.

Tom Bell -- 699-6261

tbell@mainetoday.com