Early absentee voting is already underway leading up to the
pivotal elections on November 4th when voters will decide whether to continue
with Governor Paul LePage or change course with Michael Michaud (Democrat) or
longshot Eliot Cutler (Independent).
Most of the campaign focus has been on personal style, welfare
reform, and to a degree economic performance.
Very little attention has been paid to:
· balancing the State Budget without extending the
temporary tax increases (sales, meals, lodging) or otherwise raising taxes;
· whether Maine will opt to establish its own
health insurance exchange under Obamacare;
· expanding Medicaid (MaineCare) to 65,000-70,000
people as envisioned by Obamacare;
· continuing the current level of environmental
regulation or increasing it. Either to reverse recent reforms and/or add new
regulation that has been blocked over the past four years;
· expanding workplace rights of employees and
increasing various benefits paid by employers; and,
· policies that significantly strengthen future
economic performance potential.
Polls show a statistical toss-up in the governor’s race.
Legislative elections, too, will influence the course of
future public policies emanating from Augusta.
In particular, Republicans are attempting to gain control of the state
Senate currently held by a 19-15-1 Democrat majority.
Here are the campaign websites for the gubernatorial
candidates:
Paul R. LePage
Michael H. Michaud
Eliot R. Cutler
Visit the Voter Resources page on NFIB for more Election Day
information.