THE “INITIATIVE” PUBLIC INPUT SUMMARY

The “Initiative” Public Input Summary

From Friday, August 24, 2007 at 12:00 Noon

To Friday, September 7, 2007 at 2:00 p.m.

Reorganization – Natural Resources

Combine departments and agencies: DEP/Conservation/Inland Fisheries and Wildlife/Marine Resources.
Eliminate the department of environmental protection.
From: Tim McClure; 8 Autumn St, Lisbon Falls; tumcclure@roadrunner.com
Merge the Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife into the Department of Conservation. The needs of our state's fish and wildlife resources would be much better served if there was greater collaboration and cooperation between fish and wildlife biologists and those working on habitat issues. With some exceptions, that collaboration is minimal today. The overlap between these agencies is great and the potential synergies are immense. Both the resources themselves and tax-payers would be better served by this. Shared administration and reduction of one commissioner-level appointee (and instead the creation of two new bureaus within DOC or a new commission) could save substantial dollars and really better serve the resource by focusing on habitat. I realize that this issue would face a lot of opposition from many in the sportsman's community, but I think it is at least worth talking about.
From: John Burrows; Kennebunk; jrjburrows@excite.com
Merge some natural resource departments into one or two departments. For instance, perhaps Marine Resources with Agriculture and Conservation with IF&W.
Earlier I submitted an idea and recently, while discussing the situation with another longtime state employee, I or perhaps that is WE came upon an area within the Department of Environmental Protection which is duplicative of other efforts within the Department. The program is question is probably funded from the General Fund and so would be ripe for cutting along with the associated positions, the program is the so called P2 program also referred to as Pollution Prevention. Current staff in all areas, hazardous waste, lead, asbestos,, air quality, land and water bureau, oil and hazardous waste bureau, etc., all already do a great deal of education and pollution prevention through working with the community and businesses in the community to prevent pollution. P2 duplicates those efforts and seems to overlap more than anything else. Keep up the good work.
Reform regulatory processes within the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Specifically, consider eliminating the Board of Environmental Protection, or as a minimum, reducing its responsibilities to that of an appeals board. Today, environmental programs and policies are increasingly highly technical and complex, making decisions of a citizen board extremely difficult and time consuming. It is difficult to recruit qualified members of the public to commit the time and energy needed to attend meetings and review the several hundred pages of technical documents required of board members each month. This is especially true for those Maine citizens employed in businesses, where such representation is needed to ensure a balanced perspective is brought to bear on what are often times highly contentious issues that have significant environmental and economic consequences for Maine citizens. Very few state agencies have an independent citizen board to provide policy oversight for agency rules and initiatives. Perhaps it's time to rethink Maine's environmental regulatory programs as well.
From: Michael Barden; workout2@verizon.net
I would like to second the idea of combining state departments responsible for environmental and natural resource management and protection. The following are my thoughts regarding the same: "To improve the State’s ability to protect our environment and manage our natural resources and simultaneously reduce the costs and increase the efficiency with which we accomplish these goals, I propose establishing a Department of Ecology which would include the Maine Geological Survey and Departments of Agriculture, Conservation, Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Marine Resources, and Environmental Protection. The name Department of Ecology would reflect an integrated, holistic approach to sustainable use and protection of our natural resources and environment that could be better achieved with the integration of these Departments and their artificially separated disciplines. Financial efficiencies would be achieved by reducing the costs of administration and infrastructure currently necessary to support each separate Department; eliminating redundancies inherent in programs with overlapping responsibilities; and decreasing the costs (and vastly improving the effectiveness) of current and potential coordination, cooperation, and collaboration. I would further recommend organizing this new Department throughout the State by physically associating with regional Conservation Districts, Resource Conservation and Development Offices, Development Corporations, and Cooperative Extension Offices. Many towns, organizations, individuals, farmers, woodlot owners etc. look to these entities for information, education, and technical assistance. Providing their services locally in one physical location - i.e. one-stop shopping - will make it more likely that these services will be utilized. It will also allow those individuals serving in specific areas to provide better, more targeted services tailored to the physical, social and economic characteristics of each region (e.g. potato farming in Aroostook County, fish farming in Washington County, etc.). Regions could be delineated by biogeophysical regions and/or major watersheds. In these days of diminishing returns from command and control environmental regulation and the increasing proportion of environmental impacts coming from individual and local actions, protecting and managing natural resources at the watershed level is the future of environmental protection. The team approach to environmental and natural resource management (e.g. combining the skills and expertise of a forester, wildlife biologist, fisheries biologist, environmental specialist, geologist, marine biologist, soil scientist, agricultural specialist, conservation educator, land use planner etc.) is a powerful way to address the complex relationship between humans and their environment. One caveat to this proposal is those bureau’s or offices that enforce regulations. These folks should probably have their own physical location separate from those providing other services. I think it’s important to separate environmental monitoring, management, education, outreach and technical services from enforcement activities. In these times of tight resources there aren’t many areas in State government where you can improve services and - almost incidentally - reduce costs."
Merge Department of Conservation and Department of Agriculture. They are under the oversight of a single legislative committee and they are both interested in conserving land. They would be a natural fit together. We could eliminate several commissioners and possibly some inspectors.
Move non-seafood food inspections in Department of Agriculture to Maine CDC. Merge the remainder of the Department of Agriculture with the Department of Marine Resources to form a Department of Agriculture and Marine Resources (DAMR).
Merge Departments of Conservation and IF&W.
Against consolidation of natural resource agencies: Rather than merging the natural resource agencies, which, combined account for 3 percent of the state's budget, the Governor and Legislature should focus on Human Services and other high percentage areas. As a logger, hunter, fisherman and conservationist, I see that merging agencies into a single natural resources department will only detract from the missions of game wardens, marine patrol officers and forest rangers. These departments already work to protect our people and the environment, and each has a proud history. Do not take the easy road by dealing only with these areas. Go to the greatest source of our state's fiscal problems, DHHS and education. There are less than 40 marine patrol officers, guarding our state's fisheries and performing marine search and rescue on our 3000+ mile coastline. This is an efficient department. There are less than 90 game wardens, protecting our states inland fish and wildlife resources, also performing search and rescue for lost persons. This is an efficient department. There are less than 60 forest rangers, who protect our forest resources and homes form wildfire. They regulate the timber harvesting and assist in emergency management. This is an efficient department. My advice: go after the big fish.
Combine Departments of Agriculture and Marine Resources. Combine IF&W and Department of Conservation. Keep DEP a separate department since it's more a regulatory agency.
The idea for a "super natural resource agency" is not a bad one and has been done to varying degrees of success by a number of States. Some specific saving that could be immediately realized include the co-location of ME Forest Service, MDIFW, LURC and other as appropriate regional offices. Environmental review of proposed development/sub-division/forest harvesting could be greatly streamlined as well through an on-line tool available on the State intranet. Currently, the environmental review process requires staff time from 3 or 4 agencies depending on the location and scope of the project. Co-locating agencies across "silos" rather than maintaining silos within a super natural resource agency structure would be key to finding cost-savings. Consolidating land acquisition and management functions within DOC and MDIFW is an area where you may not realize immediate savings, but the long-term savings of improved communication of priorities and a better planned approach to land acquisition and management would be beneficial to the people.
From: yorktownfarm@gmail.com
Maine prides itself on being a natural resource state. To manage the diversity of state resources, we divide them between different agencies. But each resource (fish, forests, gravel, wildlife, scenery, etc.) is governed by complex ecosystems, not what we take out of them--and certainly not by the local economy. The result is parallel efforts to maintain sustainability of different resources as if they existed in separate universes operating under different laws. My suggestion is aimed at avoiding duplication of effort and enabling a truer understanding of the Maine economy by considering all resources as part of a unified big picture which makes clear the need for maintaining ecosystem health and sustainability. The basic administrative structure of state government needs to be realigned in light of what we have learned about the fragility and limits of Maine's natural environment over the past 200 years. This will place sustainability first on the agency agenda so that we're not always playing catch-up in situations we do not understand, and spending huge amounts of money to pay for our misjudgments and mistakes. First and foremost, I propose a Maine Department of Natural Ecology which would be charged with developing a true understanding of Maine's forests, rivers, wetlands, estuaries, coastal waters, marine waters, and the complex interrelations that take place within and between them. Then specialized departments could be formed within that agency to oversee human use of individual species (white pines, alewives, lobsters, black ducks, and so on) within the context of a larger vision encompassing the state as a whole, not fragmented into artificial jurisdictions such as counties and municipalities. The upshot would allow an understanding of the Maine economy as based on a fully functional natural economy responding to natural forces over which humans have little control. Putting the Maine economy first as if it were above the natural economy (which I believe to be the mind-set from which this public input is requested) guarantees that our efforts will be costly, inefficient, and in the long term, ineffectual. In brief, my suggestion is for the State of Maine to get with nature's program, not inflict its own priorities on nature. I believe the long-term sustainability of Maine's natural resources depends on following that course. If we are going to paint ourselves as a natural resource state, let us follow through and put a firm understanding of what that truly means under our feet. First things first, I say, and that means putting Maine's native ecosystems before human communities and the human economy. The booklet, Sustainable Maine, puts society, economy, and environment as equal partners on the same footing. The problem with that formulation is that it overlooks the priority of the natural environment, both society and its economy being derivatives of Maine's natural landscape. By not putting money ahead of nature's currency (energy), we will save money by synchronizing our efforts with the ebb and flow of natural currency instead of forcing nature to perform to our demands and expectations. I thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my point of view on this important matter. My special interest is the future history of Maine's coastal waters, an issue I have thought about through much of my lifetime. My conclusion is that by adopting a reactive stance, we are going to lose the coast as we know and love it. When that happens, which, given our population growth and rates of consumption, will be sooner rather than later, then Maine will no longer be Maine but a failed state on the waste heap of environmental exploitation. The future of Maine belongs to non-exploitive enterprise.
From: Steve Perrin; P.O. Box 585, Bar Harbor, Maine 04609; steveperrin@verizon.net; 288-8240

Reorganization – Other

Just as the top of the Education jobs were consolidated, so should the body of Maine's Government staff. The only big business in Maine is the State Government. I have heard that many workers spend time on the computers just passing the time of day, there isn't enough work to fill their hours they are paid by the tax payers. Part time jobs or share a job week with someone else. Cut back on the benefits. I can see benefits for people with risky jobs, but the State Workers don't have risky jobs. Most of us in Maine worked jobs without health benefits, or coverage, why are the workers of government so privileged? Cut back on Government Workers and Agencies, consolidate! We haven't enough people in Maine to validate all the workers in Augusta. Put State Work out to bids for all contractors, not just the union types. Hire more than one contractor to do a job, so it gets done fast. Such as roadwork. No more 4 guys standing around while one guy shovels. Maybe video, those on the job to see if the personal needs to be cut down. Nothing as good as a picture. Streamline, cut back, phase down, Forward March!
From: Sandra Robinson; 489 Whitaker Rd, Troy, ME 04987
Consolidate government agencies to the same degree being forced on public schools.
All of the Boards of Licensure.....Why?
Provide better economic support to farmers by creating a Farm Bureau within the Department of Economic and Community Development and move the Department of Agriculture's development programs into this Bureau. This would raise the profile of the agricultural sector as an integral part of the State's development future and better connect farmers with all potential resources and markets. Further consolidation and integration could occur by moving the Animal Control program into Public Safety, and the regulatory programs into Professional and Financial Regulation, DHHS or DEP depending on the nature and purpose of the programs. This consolidation would result in the elimination of at least one Commissioner and one Deputy Commissioner, and would improve the economic and development support to farmers.
Move the Recycling Program from SPO to DEP. DEP now routinely provides "municipal assistance" related to environmental issues that the SPO program was set up to provide almost 2 decades ago when DEP was considered strictly a "black hat" agency. The Recycling Program Director position could be eliminated, and the other 4 positions moved o DEP to better integrate recycling assistance, and solid waste data management and planning. This would provide one-stop solid waste management assistance to towns, eliminate duplicative reporting requirements for towns, and provide more resources to the DEP Solid Waste Program which has never been fully staffed in accordance with the needs foreseen in 1988.
Eliminate the fire marshal's office.
From: Tim McClure; 8 Autumn St, Lisbon Falls; tumcclure@roadrunner.com
Does Maine really need three forms of government? Local government is important to all of us. Why not merge County and State governments into one. Sherriff’s Department and State Police merging would save hundreds of thousands of dollars alone.
From: Fred Hahn; 50 Anthony Ave; Topsham, Maine 04530; fred.hahn@verizon.net
Consolidate agencies. Too much duplication of effort by multiple agencies. Administrations for these agencies should NOT have a say in this - they're only protecting their own jobs.
From: Over taxed, over regulated, taxpayer; North Yarmouth Maine
I would dissolve The Personnel department and go to a direct hire format. I was called once after a 3 year wait, for an interview.
From: John Davis; pippinhill@uninet.net
Merge the consumer protection functions of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation into the Attorney General's office. We could use other special revenues to pay for AG positions. Merge the rest of DFPR into the Department of Economic and Community Development. In all, we could free up general fund money by using some special revenues to split fund positions.
Merge all the cultural agencies into the Department of Education. The cultural agencies have absolutely no oversight and they waste a lot of money. They should all be merged.
Merge the State Planning Office into the Department of Economic and Community Development. I have no idea what SPO does, but it is nothing that is not related to economic development and community development. They are not worth the money we pay them.
It is my understanding that proposals from the Department of Agriculture, Quality Assurance and Regulations, and Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Health, Health Inspection Program, are being submitted for consideration of consolidation of the two divisions or programs. I’m not sure why Agriculture would be submitting a proposal as they are a production based organization and not associated with public health. Agriculture does do Weights and Measures and Retail Packaged food inspections but this should not deal with direct food service or food for direct consumption by the consumer or considerations of public health, unless it’s at the processing or production level. Conversely, The Bureau of Health, Health Inspection Program, deals daily with public health issues with inspections in Schools, Restaurants, Hospitals and other direct food services to the public. I would think that any consolidation of the two agencies would be directed to the Health and Human Services, Bureau of Health direction. I would not think that Agriculture would have the expertise to manage such an important program which would have the welfare of Maine residents at stake. Nor would I think that Agriculture would have the contacts within Maine CDC and other agencies such as Liquor Licensing, Fire Marshall’s Office or other Public Safety organizations. Agriculture would also not have contacts or working relationships with local agencies such as Municipal Code Enforcement Officers or Local Health Officers. The Bureau of Health already has a good working relationship with these organizations and individuals. If the Legislature or the Governor’s Office is considering consolidating these two agencies please consider Maine’s public health and allow the Bureau of Health to continue protecting Maine citizens.
Combine Office of Substance Abuse with Maine CDC.
The Governor is right - we should have ONE Department of Corrections and not 15 county-run jails in addition to the prisons!
Eliminate county government, or at least reduce the number of counties to 8. 16 is way too many.
Get rid of county government. This is an archaic form of government that only provides an additional layer of politics and bureaucracy. The county jails should be taken over by the state prison system, Department of Corrections. The sheriffs' offices can be merged into the State Police. There should be fewer than 16 county emergency management agencies - something like 8 is enough, and they should be regional offices of MEMA, not part of a third layer of county government. Registry of Deeds can be taken over by some other current form of government.
THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF PUBLIC COMMENT ABOUT COMBINING IF&W WITH DEPT OF CONSERVATION. IF ANY MERGING OF AGENCIES IS GOING TO HAPPEN, SOME SERIOUS THOUGHT SHOULD BE GIVEN TO KEEPING ALL STATE CERTIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN ONE GROUP OR AGENCY SUCH AS DEPT OF PULIC SAFETY. KEEP THE DIFFERENT BUREAUS TOGETHER AND HAVE THEM GOVERNED BE ONE LARGE AGENCY. IT DOESN'T MAKE SENCE TO SCATTER STATE CERTIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS THOUGHTOUT SEVERAL DIFFERENT AGENCIES AND TO MIX THEM IN WITH NON CERTIFIED DEPARTMENTS.
From: DURWARD HUMPHREY; DURWARD.HUMPHREY@MAINE.GOV

Legislature

Reduce the legislature to at least half of its current number. This would save in numerous ways: reduced per-diem, reduced travel pay, reduced office space, reduced aids pay, reduced postal allowances, reduced office supplies, etc. This would also make the legislature more efficient by reducing the number of local special interest bills, reducing the debates etc.
From: George A. Darling; 11 Stover Lane, Belfast, Maine 04915; darstove@adelphia.net
Half of the legislature needs to go! Way too big, way too many bills, way too much a waste of money.
From: Jay Feyler; 11 N Union Rd. Union , ME 04862; jfeyler@aol.com; 785-4758
A state of this size has too many legislators. Cut legislature in half.
From: Louis Sutherland; Sorrento, Me
Decrease the number of Legislators. There are just a few who really make the decisions so let's just take a realistic approach here. And limit the number of bills -- set some criteria to ensure that if we are going to the expense of having a bill printed and presented it actually has merit. Increase efficiency in the legislative process. Too many "caucus" breaks just to ensure the votes are there or to stall a vote until an errant Legislator gets back from a junket. Legislators make the trip to Augusta at the taxpayers expense and then spend the day "caucusing" and end up not accomplishing one thing in the name of the People of The State of Maine. This is the most frustrating thing. Increase the efficiency of the Committee hearings. The general public has to plan well in advance to get to a hearing of interest. I made the trip to Augusta two times this past session for a 1:00 p.m. hearing on a bill that didn't get heard until 3:00 or 3:30 because the Chair did not make good use of time. That too many of the Legislators weren't in their committee seats is a personal objection of mine, but doesn't bear on cost savings.
Reduce the size of the legislator we don't need this much legislation and all these silly bills.
I think there are too many rep, legislators, senators, etc, we mostly have enough laws on the books just need to have them enforced, sometimes overkill is not a good thing.
From: Marlene McGinley; 187 Main St Mattawamkeag; molly23@fairpoint.net
I do not believe we need as many Representatives per town. The Town of Brunswick has 4 representatives. We are requiring our schools to consolidate. It's time we also cut back on the number of representatives per town.

CUT the size of the legislature.
If the State of Maine really wants to get serious about trimming the budget I would suggest that we follow the lead of New Hampshire which as we all know has many of the same problems as Maine. The legislature in New Hampshire has about half as many legislators and they are paid $100.00 per month and seem to get along just fine submitting about half the number of bills as Maine. legislators. It goes without saying that if they submit half as many bills then they are submitting far fewer ridiculous bills as Maine. I suggest that we start by not replacing legislators and by consolidating districts just as was supposedly going to happen with the school districts.
From: Tom Whitmer; 132 Tunk Lake Road; kingsleyfarms@hotmail.com; 422-9173
Since the legislature is looking at ways to cut $10,000,000, we think they should shrink our state government by making larger districts. There is no need to have so many representatives and senators. If school districts can combine, then so can legislative districts. Legislators want to save money off the backs of school children but they are unwilling to take on some of the burden themselves.
From: Lawrence and Jean Vautour; 229 Pond Rd; vautour@adelphia.net; 685-3589
I say we can cut a lot of money just to pay the Politicians to stay home.
From: Sidney Geyer
Reduce the size of the state legislature.
From: Skip & Sallie Huot; Saco
I think there are too many legislators, senators, & congressman in the state house. When there are meetings, most of the time only half the people are there to vote. I think Baldacci should do the same for the State as he did for the schools and that is to consolidate the state and not have someone represent every little town in Maine. You could have 2 or 3 little towns represented by one person rather than 3 or 6 as it is now.
From: Raymond Hachey; 1185 chase rd. #46; rayh1940@verizon.net; 947-6747
Reduce the legislature to 2 Representatives per county...1 Senator per county. Legislature should only be in session 3 months per year!
Reduce the size of the Legislature, eliminate their health care benefits.
From: Tim McClure; 8 Autumn St, Lisbon Falls; tumcclure@roadrunner.com
Reduce and cap the number of bill submitted.
From: Tim McClure; 8 Autumn St, Lisbon Falls; tumcclure@roadrunner.com
Cut the size of the legislature in half.
Change the anti business attitude of the labor dominated legislature. Take some much needed---much delayed action to reduce income taxes and property taxes. People are tired of broken promises.
The State should cut the number of State Senators and Representatives to a number more consistent with a state of our size.
Also, legislative expenses... Was it last year that the legislature went into special session to finish business that had to be put off so everyone could attend the moose lottery? I had to work that day.
From: A concerned and frustrated taxpayer
Reduce the size of the legislative body. Benefits:

1. Millions of dollars in savings from salaries, benefits, support staff, travel expenses, meal allowances, office equipment ,etc. could be obtained.
2. Create the ability to get something substantial done without the bickering of mundane legislative bills.
3. Provide better representation for the citizens of Maine by looking at the whole picture not just someone’s small backyard problem.

With modern day communications and transportation a legislature the size of Maine’s is not only unnecessary but too cumbersome to be effective. With the efforts to consolidate school districts, an effort to consolidate legislative districts should be undertaken. If school district consolidation will save money for the towns than a legislative redistricting will save money for the State of Maine. We have to do something about the horrendous tax burden being placed on the citizens of Maine instead of just talking about it. A Legislative body that is leaner and more responsive to the needs of citizens is needed.
From: William Pollard; 17 Lilac Lane, Yarmouth, Maine 04096; wpollard@maine.rr.com

The size of the legislature must be pared down. When the legislative districts were formed decades ago, the huge number of legislators were needed because of the vast size of the state, and lack of communication technology. With todays technology, we no longer need the number of legislators that we have. This needs to be done before you move to cut any viable programs.
From: Irene Lee; 514 Bog Road, Vassalboro, ME; irelee!@hotmail.com
I would also like to offer my support for the idea of REDUCING THE SIZE OF THE LEGISLATURE.
From: Walter Wieczorek; waltwieczorek@fairpoint.net
Do not allow any new bills to pass until at least two are removed from the books. Go back to our original constitution from 1820 and fund only things that the document allows.
REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE LEGISLATURE - Assign just TWO legislators - one Senator & one Legislator - for each Maine County and be done with it. 32 Slots - no more. Pay them a decent wage and make them work for their job like the rest of us have to. You'd save millions on expenses and support positions and certainly paper from the reduced # of bills. No public money for campaigns and no special interest money for campaigns.
From: Over taxed, over regulated, taxpayer; North Yarmouth Maine
WE NEED TO CUT THE NUMBER OF LAWMAKERS WE HAVE IN AUGUSTA. BRING IT AT LEAST DOWN TO THE SIZE OF CALIFORNIA. ALSO ITS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUT OF YEARS THEY GET FREE MEDICAL COVERAGE FOR THE REST OF THIER LIVES? COME ON THIS IS UNHEARD OF IN TODAYS WORLD.I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THAT IS COSTING US AND WHAT THE ESTIMATED FUTURE COST ARE GOING TO BE.
From: BRUCE CLARK; PO BOX 473 DIXFIELD, MAINE 04224; 562-8375
I would recommend reducing the size of the State Legislature by approximately 10% to 135 Representatives and 31 Senators. I think that this would save some money while still providing an excellent level of representation. This may even allow for eliminating a handful of legislative staff positions; however, I would caution against eliminating too many of these positions since it is my belief that these staffers are already stretched way too far during the session. Instead, lightening their work-load would allow them to accomplish more and better serve those legislators they work for.
From: John Burrows; Kennebunk; jrjburrows@excite.com
BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE HAS "NO ETHICS" (bill) WHY NOT JUST CUT IT IN HALF??
Lower the number of state representatives. Consolidate districts.
From: Jane Williams; 125 Main Street, Lovell, Maine 04051; jane@burgessadv.com; 925.3380
The government is quick to cut out programs for our citizens (which we pay for )from the money that they take every week out of our paychecks I say, let's take money and perks they have given themselves away 1) if you do not drive to Augusta to a session then you don't qualify for mileage or food reimbursement for that day/week/month 2) if you have family you pay the full cost of their health insurance and at lease half of your insurance (I have to) 3) if you are no longer an active member you lose all benefits (exception see #4) 4) extend the number of years you must serve to at least 25 years in order to qualify for benefits (this is the way real life is) 5)reduce the size of the legislative body we don't need all of these people sponging off us 6) no more pay raises unless voter approval THESE JOBS ARE PART TIME PUBLIC SERVANT JOBS THAT GET FULL TIME BENEFITS AND THEY ARE SUPPOSE TO SERVE US NOT THEMSELVES. THESE PEOPLE WHO CALL THEMSELVES PUBLIC SERVANT SHOULD NOT BE PAID AT ALL BASED ON WHAT THEY HAVE ACCOMPLISHED. THE ONLY BILLS I'VE NOTICED ARE ONES WITH BIG FINES ADN NEVER MIND THE EXISE TAX WHEN DID I VOTE ON RAISING THIS TAX ----WE ALL KNOW THAT THESE SUGGESTIONS WILL FALL ON DEAF EARS(just another ploy by the politicians into lulling us into believing they really care) BUT THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME LET MY THOUGHTS BE KNOWN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
From: Kathy Oliver
Reduce the size of the House of Representatives. Make the districts larger to cover a larger population.
Reduce all elected officials salaries to minimum wage. That will save TONS of money, or at the "worst" raise the minimum wage! Of course that'll never happen, they only vote to RAISE their own pay. (Which could be another suggestion, have all elected officials proposed pay raises a yearly referendum put to the voters!).
From: Joe Marshall; 6 Mount Hope Ave; maine@del-stardotstar.com
REDUCE POLITICIANS PAY TO THAT OF THE AVERAGE MAINER.
From: ALFRED SNOW
We need to start by cutting the number of legislators we have currently - then we can reduce their salaries and some of their benefits -
The state of Maine has a legislature and administration larger than the state of California with 1/4 of the population. That is disgusting. Instead of consolidating the school districts, why don't you consolidate legislative districts?
Since you have determined that localities have to live by LD 1 (which I have to say is a bad idea, again, if a town wants to spend more, then why should the Legislature create unnecessary obstacles?), then the State should be required to live by LD 1. If it takes a change in the constitution to allow one Legislature to bind the next, then so be it.
From: Richard Roedner; 56 Wildwood Drive; rroedner@maine.rr.com; 286-1281
Reduce the legislature by half.
From: Ken Abbott; P.O. Box 580, Clinton 04927 (by phone)
Consolidate legislative districts.
Cut the number of legislators. How could that ever happen, though, since they'd have to vote themselves out of a job?
Repeal the Clean Elections Act
From: Paul L. Rudman; Veazie, Maine; plrvzme@roadrunner.com
Why do we need such a large legislature? A lot of things seem backward, some people waiting for approval on getting a necessary leg or medications, waiting because the department of human services people are stressed out and are on sick leave. A lot more workers are needed. There seem to be far too many chiefs and not enough indians.
From: Tolanda E. Jenks; tolanda_e@hotmail.com; 443-3537
Shrink the legislature in size; it has to many people for a state this size.
From: Mark Morissette
Cut the number of legislators by 40%.
From: William Van Tassel; 224 County Road, Turner, Maine 04282; vandb@megalink.net; 225-2738
Stop wasting inordinate amounts of time every legislative session doing SENTIMENTS. It is an absolute waste of time. Have a secretary send a simple memo to the Maine citizen who has excelled.
From: William Van Tassel; 224 County Road, Turner, Maine 04282; vandb@megalink.net; 225-2738
Tell all freshman legislators that they don't have to develop a bill so that they can become the talk of the hill in their first two years.
From: William Van Tassel; 224 County Road, Turner, Maine 04282; vandb@megalink.net; 225-2738
Freeze all new spending legislation for the next three years. This year alone would have saved over four hundred and sixty million dollars. Spending is out of control.
From: Arthur Hughes; 51 Winding Way, Lewiston, Maine 04240; arthurach@Verizon.net; 782-0757
Cut the Legislature by 1/3 to 1/2. The Legislature is the problem with spending. They are too generous with the taxpayers' money. If we can cut the school administration and other programs, we should be able to cut the Legislature. Let the people decide.
From: Arthur Hughes; 51 Winding Way, Lewiston, Maine 04240; arthurach@Verizon.net; 782-0757
Reduce the amount of reps - we have too many people - make larger districts
Reduce staff size for all elected officials.
Cut the legislature in half and eliminate the state senate.
From: Ed Boynton; PO Box 43, Frenchville, ME; 543-6179
Excuse me for saying this, but you folks as legislatures should think about paying for your own car registrations and eliminating the perks that you have given yourself. You will not give the state employees raises, make them pay extra money for health insurance but will give yourself raises and pad your retirement!
One house (unicameral) Legislature (see Nebraska)
From: Tom Greene; 1 Mallett Drive, Topsham, ME 04086; tgreene_msp@msn.com
(Both houses) Legislator's individual salary set at average salary for all persons in their district (excluding income from Federal programs, but including unemployment compensation and state aid.)
From: Tom Greene; 1 Mallett Drive, Topsham, ME 04086; tgreene_msp@msn.com

Position Eliminations

If you want to streamline State Government, you might want to look at all of the extra people in the Central offices such as Mental Health, Elder Services, MR services as well. Some of these positions can be eliminated and would be a very cost effective way to save money for the State. I am sure there are other areas that can be trimmed and money saved but this is a start.
Another solution, which I think is already being realized, is by dividing out duties of retiring state employees to current employees. Of course replacing employees will be needed in a lot of cases. While this will make their work load heavier, it is the essence of streamlining.
From: Jason Bird; jason.bird@umit.maine.edu ; 399-7803
Implement a hiring freeze for all non public facing positions effective July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009.
Reduced the number of layers of management in all departments.
Eliminating positions is painful but it has to be done. I'm positive that every department head can be creative and combine job functions/responsibilities of AT LEAST one position in his or her department. It must be done. This does not have to be the job with the most unimpressive title either.....in many cases it may be the Dept. Head position that needs to be eliminated. We are asking Superintendents to take part in decreasing the number of their positions state wide.....We should expect the same from the government bureaucracy.
Let's start by telling all state departments that they have to cut their employees and their budget 10% next year. Except for the welfare department, cut their budget by 25%. The welfare system in Maine is out of control. When people using food stamps (excuse me credit cards-whose great idea was that) can buy better food items then we working people can, some thing is wrong. When 20 to 40 year old people that are capable of working can collect welfare, something's wrong. When we have one the highest % of people on welfare in the country something's wrong. When women can have 3 or 4 or 5 kids and just keep getting more money, something's wrong.
From: John Call
No additional hiring of personnel for one year for all state departments. Retirements would be filled by existing personnel.
From: Marilyn Reed; 722 Middle Road, Woolwich ME 04579; wmreed@gwi.net;
443-2395
Take a close look at the Department of Education and the Department of Human Services to assess the kind and scope of work and services and assess areas that can be eliminated. Compare these departments to other states to determine if we have too many employees in these two areas.
Use technology to replace positions.
All department Commissioners need to look at the size of there staffs. Assistants to the Commissioners and deputy commissioners need to be evaluated and downsized.
From: Irene Lee; 514 Bog Road, Vassalboro, ME; irelee!@hotmail.com
MOST GOVERNMENT AGENCIES HAVE SO MUCH MIDDLE MANAGEMENT THAT MOST OF THE TIME IS SPENT IN MEETINGS AND ON THE PHONE TO EACH OTHER TO REVIEW POLICIES AND TALK ABOUT HOW BUSY AND OVER WORKED THEY ARE. ELIMINATE THESE WASTED POSITIONS AND PUT MORE PEOPLE ON THE FRONT LINE WITH BETTER TRAINING WILL SERVE THE STATE OF MAINE A LOT BETTER. ELIMINATE THE UNCESSARY TRAVEL TO AUGUSTA FOR MEETING ALL THE TIME AND USE THE INTERNET INSTEAD. I WORKED FOR THE STATE FOR 13 YEARS AND WAS SO TIRED OF SEEING THE MIDDLE MANAGEMENT JUST WALK AROUND AND TALK TO EACH OTHER OF THEIR NEED TO LOOK BUSY. REDUCE THE MANAGEMENT BY 50 PERCENT AND THE OPERATION WILL RUN MUCH BETTER. REDUCE THE NUMBER OF TRIPS GIVEN ON THE STATE CARS ALSO WOULD SAVE THE BUDGET A LOT. IF THEY WOULD ASK THE WORKERS WHAT THEY NEED TO IMPROVE THE SERVICE AND FEELINGS OF THE EMPLOYEES WOULD MAKE FOR A BETTER WORKING OPERATION. THE AMOUNT OF PAPER WORK COULD BE REDUCED IF THE FORMS WOULD BE UPDATED SO MULTIPLE AGENCIES SUCH AS TITLES, AND SALES TAX WOULD BE PUT INTO ONE FORM. THE PAPER SAVINGS ALONE WOULD BE UNREAL. TOO MUCH DUPLICATION ON FORMS AND REPORTS CURRENTLY ARE REQUIRED ON A DAILY AND MONTHLY BASIS. WASTED MONEY AND TIME FOR ALL. WE NEED A COMPLETE OVERHALL AND UPDATE OF THE OPERATIONS.
From: CHARLES GRATEN; 25 CARLETON ST # 3 , PORTLAND, ME 04102; CGRATEN@SOUTHPORTLAND.ORG; 879-0336
I am a licensed Daycare provider. When DHHS comes to do my annual licensing inspections, they send 2 workers not just one. The second one they send comes all the way down from the county (mileage and hotel). It actually takes longer for 2 people to do the inspection than it took when it was just one. Seems like an incredible waste of manpower. IF they are that overstaffed to afford to double up, I'd say let's eliminate some positions to save money on payroll, mileage and hotel expenses. Call me f you have any questions.
From: Rep. Brian Duprey; P.O. Box 214; repduprey@hotmail.com; 852-0080
Each legislator must make the 'Hard Decision' and CUT SPENDING at the top. For starters, there is a lot of 'dead wood' in Augusta and some of these "TOP" positions should be cut. No one in legislature or who works for the State Gov. should be getting any raises since most jobs for the rest of the state aren't giving any. State job workers also receive a terrific benefits package which should be looked at and cut as well.
From: Dawna Kazregis; Peru; wkazregis@adelphia.net; 562-4595
Money might be saved if supervisors of one, two or three people were not paid extra to supervise and the next higher level of supervisor took on those few people. Former governor King had mandated some such change, but you will still find supervisors of a couple people in some departments.
Eliminate all public affairs positions and all legislative liaison positions in all of the executive departments. Create a few extra positions within the Governor's office to do legislative liaison and public relations functions for each policy area.
We also need to reduce the pay of the government officials. Get going on the saving money idea, before you drive out all your native Mainers!
From: Lyndsay
AS A FORMER EMPLOYEE OF THE DOROTHEA DIX PSYCIATRIC CENTER I WAS APPALLED MANY TIMES BY THE MISMANAGEMENT OF STATE FUNDING FOR A FAT LAYER OF ADMINISTRATION AT THAT FACILITY.THE HOSPITAL NOW HAS A CENSUS OF 60 BEDS. (MOST LTC FACILITIES ARE TWICE THAT SIZE) THE AMINISTRATIVE LAYER AT THE HOSPITAL CONSISTS OF THE SUPERINTENDANT, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, FACILITIES MANAGER, DIRECTOR OF NURSING, 2 ASSISTANT DIRECTORS OF NURSING, 5 PROGRAM SERVICE DIRECTORS,4 NURSE MANAGERS, 6 NURSING SUPERVISORS. THESE PEOPLE DO NOT SERVE THE PATIENTS DIRECTLY, HOWEVER THEIR SALARIES COMPRISE CLOSE TO $800,000.00. FOR 60 BEDS!!!!!!! HAVING BEEN IN HEALTHCARE FOR THIRTY YEARS I WAS NEVER ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THE SENSE THIS MADE. AFTER TALKING WITH OTHER HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS, I FELT IT NECESSARY TO VOICE MY CONCERNS ONCE AGAIN. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY VOICE MY CONCERNS BEFORE THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE, TO NO AVAIL. ARE YOU LISTENING TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN ON THE FRONT LINES??????????????????
From: BEVERLY WILSON, RN,C MSB; 226 FALVEY STREET BANGOR,MAINE 04401; BAWILSON@EMH.ORG. 942-7766
Reduce the number of law enforcement layers in the state. We currently have constables, town police, county police and state police. This will be a tough sell as these are sacred-cow territories. But combining would lop off many executive positions. Ideally, only one is needed - the state police. But you could get it down to just county police and state police. Territorial jurisdiction would be much less of a problem, thus response time would be better. Many vehicles of diff. police depts. simply pass each other everyday.
DHHS---Eliminate the three Regional Managers. If you asked any one of them I do not believe you would get consensus on what their job really is. All very nice people but at approximately $70,000 plus fringe I question the value.
Consolidate Child Support Enforcement Management with Eligibility Management. They are all part of Integrated Access and Support, why not have one person to report to? I believe there are 3 or 4 of these positions.
Seriously evaluate the number of middle management positions in state government with the expectation of eliminating some of them. There is a lot of duplication of work, too little collaboration among state programs and far too many program managers sitting in meetings talking.
You need to take a closer look at how positions are actually budgeted versus what position are actually filled and what the turnover is. Positions tend to be fully funded even if vacant with little or no consideration of salary lapse for future turnover. These funds are then used for other purposes.
From: Imus B Anonymous
The management positions are extremely top heavy. There are deputy directors, deputy commissioners, assistant to the deputy directors, assistants to commissioners, etc. There are also those who are assigned and paid a large salary to analyze how we can save a penny for each minute used...i.e. Bend the Curve.
There need to be cuts in some programs. Services to families and children need to be protected, however, many staff positions could be eliminated. There seems to be an abundance of administrators at higher levels of government. Rather than reduce front line positions, the higher level positions should be eliminated and/or combined. Specifically, staff at many state agencies could be reduced. The one exception to this is therapeutic foster care. These agencies cost the State of Maine a great deal of money. There is little oversight and many children are kept at the therapeutic level because foster parents get paid at a higher rate for them. When children are identified as needing a lower level of care some homes will drop them in favor of a higher needs child. Additionally, some therapeutic foster agencies have children remain at higher levels for this reason. There is little oversight and the DHHS caseworkers often will not rock the boat because if they do then they will have to work to find other placements for these children and they often don't want to do that. The State would benefit from returning to State run foster homes and contracting out needed services, such as therapy. This would decrease overhead and also stimulate local economies by providing monies to contractors. I will gladly speak with anyone regarding these or other ideas and concerns. Thank you.
From: Freeman R. Corey; 269 Gardner Creek Road; gardnercricker@yahoo.com;
455-4946

State Employee Salaries and Benefits

Government workers should not receive better benefits than workers in the public sector. Benefits are way too generous compared to workers in private industry.
From: Louis Sutherland; Sorrento, Me
My understanding is that State of Maine employees have very generous coverage under the State's medical benefit plan (100% coverage). Most private companies have had to scale back the richness of their plans due to high rates of medical and prescription drug inflation increases. Companies have also increased the rate of employee medical contributions to combat these cost increases. I suggest that the State look into changing its medical plan to be more in line with what is being offered by other large employers in the State. This could include possibly moving towards an 80/20 type arrangement, increasing co-pays and out of pocket maximum spend, and increasing employee contributions. While this is obviously painful for employees, I think it is necessary in light of the huge increases in medical costs and what private companies in Maine are doing to attempt to battle this issue. It is inequitable for the State to provide a benefit package that is out of line with those being provided by the flag ship private companies in the State. Many private companies are also scaling back or eliminating retiree medical coverage. I encourage the State to assess the possibility of eliminating retiree medical coverage for new employees. Thank you for your consideration of these recommendations.
I believe we need to cut the state employee benefits. The general public feels the pinch when it comes to health insurance and taxes. One reason the public cannot afford their own insurance is the cost of paying for the state employee benefits. They should be offered the same as the public.
Let’s make state employees pay for their health care like the rest of us working stiffs do. (My wife and I have to pay $9,000 a year for our $10,000 dollar deductible health care coverage. (We'd be paying 1/2 that in NH.)
From: John Call
Extension of the retirement years of service to at least 35 years or 62 years of age (whichever comes first). This would be a better benefit than private business.
From: Marilyn Reed; 722 Middle Road, Woolwich ME 04579; wmreed@gwi.net;
443-2395
Reduction of Holidays for all state employees to ten.
From: Marilyn Reed; 722 Middle Road, Woolwich ME 04579; wmreed@gwi.net;
443-2395
Health insurance benefits should not be offered unless personnel are currently working. At the time of resignation or job termination, health insurance benefits should cease.
From: Marilyn Reed; 722 Middle Road, Woolwich ME 04579; wmreed@gwi.net;
443-2395
A 32 hour work week should be in place for the majority of state workers. A staggered work schedule should be in place.
From: Anne Graham; 97 Farms Edge Rd, North Yarmouth, Maine 04097; apg1@maine.rr.com
My "facts" may not be correct, but you will get the jest of my idea. With the exception of teachers, ALL State employees and retirees and their families, receive 100% health insurance at NO COST. No companies offer anything like this today. Not the Feds and not the 'Big Blues" of the corporate world. My spouse works for a local bank and just attended a health insurance up-date meeting. We are a healthy family of three. The cost per year for a family policy from Anthem BC BS, are you sitting down, is $22,000, $5000 paid by my wife and $17,000 by her employer. That is just outright criminal!! How many State employees and retirees and their families are we the poor taxpayers subsidizing? And then try to provide health insurance for our own families. The cost has to be in the tens of millions. Let them pay their fair share like the rest of us. We, the State can little afford to continue to subsidize the full cost health insurance to these people. I also realize this idea will not be very popular. I would challenge you to try changing this.
From: Gordon Probert; 151 Old County Rd,, Pembroke 04666; gprogert@ptc-me.net;
726-5287
Have State employees participate in the cost of health care by paying a portion of the insurance premium. Years ago, state jobs did not pay very well compared to the private sector but the benefits were high. Now base pay is very attractive for state jobs and the benefits are still high. Very common practice in the private sector is having the employee pay 10% of the employee premium and 50% of the additional cost for family coverage. This would save money and level the playing field.
From: John Bragg; jwbragg@nhbragg.com ; 947-8611
Asking state employees to kick in 5-10% of health insurance is not outrageous. Find out what the average, non state employee, pays for health insurance (in terms of percentage) and make state employees kick in the same.
Convert the Maine State Retirement system over to the Federal Social Security system. Why do we need the infrastructure for a system that is already in place at the federal level. By using the Social Security System we can eliminate an entire department/infrastructure that manages the current Maine system.
Take a look at the state employee benefits. that has to cost the state a fortune, to give them coverage like that plus retirement plan they have. I believe this is a huge cost to the state.
From: James Preble; fusion900@hotmail.com
We can also reduce the # of holidays the state emp get - they get too many and most business can't afford to pay out that many holidays so they have been taken away
Take a look at the cost of health care for the state emp. - they need to start paying more for it just like the rest of us - we have huge deductibles and pay larger monthly premiums - and we have no guarantee that we will have health ins when we leave our jobs - what is wrong with this picture - it all cost money !!!!!!!!!!
Find the average share Maine residents pay for health insurance that they get through their employer. Maine state employees should pay the same. Find the average number of sick & vacation days Maine workers receive. State workers should receive the same. I understand that there's a state employees' union, but they need to understand that all over the country businesses are firing long-term employees to save money and/or cutting employee benefits to save money. Why should state workers be exempt? There either should be fewer state employees and/or their benefits should be in line with those of other Maine workers.

Offer State employees money to "opt out" of the state paid healthcare. Many public employers do this, and realize a savings. Instead of if costing $600 per month for health insurance, you could pay an employee $200 a month to opt out, thus saving $400 per month. If only 100 state employees did this, that would save almost 1/2 million dollars.

I BELIEVE THAT THE EMPLOYEES OF THE STATE OF MAINE SHOULD PART SOME PERCENTAGE OF THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE. IF YOU LOOK AT THE PRIVATE SECTOR--SO MANY EMPLOYEES PAY ALL OR SOME PART OF THEIR INSURANCE. LOOK INTO THIS AND YOU WILL SEE HOW MUCH IT WOULD SAVE THE STATE. THEN TAKE THAT MONEY AND DO SOMETHING VERY GOOD FOR OUR STATE WITH IT. ALSO, THE PAID TIME OFF IS EXTREMELY GENEROUS. I HAVE HEARD STATE EMPLOYEES BRAG ABOUT ALL THE TIME THEY CAN TAKE OFF AND GET PAID. AGAIN, LOOK AT THE PRIVATE SECTOR. THERE ARE TONS OF SAVINGS TO BE HAD.
THE HEALTHCARE INSURANCE FOR STATE WORKERS COULD BE A COST SAVINGS IN THAT SINGLE PARTICIPANTS WOULD PAY A PERCENTAGE OF THEIR HEALTH CARE PREMIUM. IT IS A DINOSAUR IN THE INDUSTRY FOR PEOPLE TO NOT BE CONTRIBUTING TO THE COST OF THEIR OWN HEALTHCARE.
From: BEVERLY WILSON, RN,C MSB; 226 FALVEY STREET BANGOR,MAINE 04401; BAWILSON@EMH.ORG. 942-7766
Charge the state workers $50.00 a week premium, with a $5000.00 deductible, for their health insurance, which is what I pay for my crappy health insurance. Also charge them a $25.00 co pay.
From: Mark Morissette
Have you noticed that the total cost of both the combined employer and employee share of health insurance is way out of line with the rest of the market place in Maine? This is both in the state and at the teacher plans. Full family is now above $17,000, which is $3,000 to $4,000 above the rest of the market. State health costs need to be reigned in. Teacher health plans should be examined. The health plan should be consolidated into a single state sponsored plan and removed from the control of the MEA. Sate law should be amended to allow the teacher plan to become self insured. Why should my tax dollars go so support the MEA in the form of the rebates and other funds that it receives back from Anthem? Why not have those dollars go back to the taxpayer?
From: Imus B Anonymous

DHHS Issues

We really need to get serious about welfare reform, everyone can tell you dozens of stories about well able bodied people collecting. Here is how we cut it by 30-40%. In order for me to work and get a check I need to take a drug test, so let’s give everyone collecting any services from Maine a drug test. Why should we be paying for their habits?
From: Jay Feyler; 11 N Union Rd. Union , ME 04862; jfeyler@aol.com; 785-4758
I propose a revamping of the welfare system, as you may be aware it is full abuse and misuse. What I suggest is one welfare program, (get rid of general assistance, TANF, housing funding etc.) My vision would be one program except for the welfare/health insurance program. What I see is a once a month or once every two weeks payment to those who qualify. They can do whatever they want with this money; just like it were a real paycheck that they earned. This amount would be the same no matter how many children or people in the family. This would stop those that keep breeding little welfare recipients because it is financially rewarding to keep having children as it results in bigger checks. When they are out of money they are out of money just like real people - they can not get more for the month unless they do something crazy like get a job. This may not actually cut down on welfare benefits that are paid out but it should save a lot in administrative costs.
MaineCare recipients should pay a co-pay. The rest of us have to. This would cut down on ambulance rides to the emergency room for a sore throat.
Department of Health and Human Services - Review all contracts. Services duplicated by providing in house case workers and contracted case workers. Either, not both. (ASPIRE and ACES; Children and Family Services and CARE, Community Health and Counseling, etc). Review pay scale of TANF/Food Stamp specialists. Pay grade is based on making decisions concerning millions of dollars annually. Computer now makes all decisions. Should be downgraded to data input specialists. Review computer programs used. Additional food stamp workers won't solve the problem of computer generated errors. Review pay scale and job description of managers. Do they actually manage people or case read? If the State now consists of 3 regions, why so many regional managers and at what cost? Review levels of management. Why so many and at what cost? Contract out entire Bureau of Medical Services. No one could do a worse job then they have. Determine management personnel responsible for the $56 million boondoggle and dismiss them all. Review all personnel files. The department exists to protect the public from abuse and neglect yet it harbors some workers who verbally abuse their client population. When it is brought to the attention of the commissioner, management staff, they are often told that if no one complained they wouldn't be doing their job. Quit being so gullible. Testimony from DHHS bureaucrats is self-serving. quoting upper level management in DHHS "The members of the legislature know what I want them to know and will hear what I want them to hear." Do I personally think that any suggestions received will be acted upon? No. It takes time, work, and some actual investigation. Much easier to take the word of career bureaucrats who more interested in empire building, job security, and self-preservation than to actually find out what the true picture is.
I worked downtown at key plaza for DHHS for five years and they spent TONS moving cubicles around over and over and over again. Not only that, but having to reprint letterhead every time someone new comes into play is not cost efficient. One last thing … I had a proposal to buy 5 printers for our department, I was told I had to buy one large printer instead. Buying the smaller ones and sharing would have saved THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS!!! but no. we had to spent 7k on a printer that has ink that costs 150.00 per cartridge. and we had to sit and wait for our items until all the other printing happened.
From: Darlene Bobich; 44 Sheldon St Farmingdale; darleneb1964@yahoo.com
One of the single most troublesome and financially burdensome agencies of the state is the Department of Human Services. I believe that this agency should be systematically dismantled and completely restructured from the ground up, taking into consideration everything from modernization for cost efficiency to reduction of services. Reduce the amount of large salaried positions as well. There is so much waste, abuse and services fraud and very little oversight.
From: Ronald Saindon; Lisbon Falls; karron@earthlink.net
My child receives Mainecare under the Katie Beckett option. On a yearly basis, we have to see a registered nurse, who is from a contracted agency. It is to see if our daughter is medically still eligible for Mainecare. Part of this process, we need a letter from our doctor to say she is still being treated for autism. This whole process makes no sense to me. First of all, the school system must evaluate her every three years to see if she still qualifies for special education. We also see her pediatrician several times in a year. Why must a nurse (who usually knows nothing about autism) determine if my daughter still has autism? Once the school determines she qualifies under autism and the doctor confirms this too, why the repeat?
I have worked in the State of Maine since 2000 when I decided to move to the state who's motto is " Maine, The Way Life Should Be" Imagine my shock and disappointment when I witnessed firsthand the abuse of the current welfare system. As a Nurse practitioner, I have personally observed drug addicts, alcoholics, criminals, and other citizens who contribute nothing to the betterment of society yet receive better healthcare, housing allowance, and fuel assistance than those of use who actually work. I observe firsthand at the county jail medical services and diagnostics I can only envy, even though I am fully insured through my employer (I do contribute to my health care). Despite the many services offered the inmates feel entitled. I have never seen so many young people on disability, why not? It is easier than having to earn a living. It is time to teach people that should they choose not to work that's ok, but stop expecting me and other tax payers to support these people and their babies they continually crank out. It is disgusting to hear the inmates tell me they intentionally move to Maine because it is the best and easiest welfare system. Stop giving it all away, put limits (strict) on those really in need, and get these people out of my hard earnings. YOUR WELFARE SYSTEM DISGUSTS ME AS A TAXPAYER
From: Kathy Stout; 374 Middle Road; KathyNP@peoplepc.com; 671-7321
Put all state employees and all municipal employees paid for with state funds (school employees) into Dirigo health plans. The cost of these plans is staggering, in part due to the large number of retirees, in part due to the poor health status of many plan participants, and in part due to the cut taken by Anthem for administering the plans, and by the Maine Education Association for "selling" their plan to school systems. In addition to putting all these people into Dirigo (in the case of school employees, participation cannot be mandated by the state but they can be invited and incentivized to join with lower premiums), the menu of available options under Dirigo should be expanded to include plans similar to the Anthem plans, and there should be premium rebates for maintaining proper weight and not smoking.
STOP allowing state employees to go to other states looking for welfare cases and telling them about our generous benefits.
Getting rid of tax dollar wasting things like the below mentioned "thank-you" would be a start to saving money - why on Earth does DHHS need to rent space to hold rah-rah-rah-we-are-great-meetings? Fours hours of pay for staff, travel time and facility rent - what a waste of my tax dollars.

“Commissioner Brenda Harvey wants to say “thank you” for all you’ve done to help Maine people live safe, healthy and productive lives. This fall, she will be traveling to each district to meet with Department staff and to express her gratitude for all you have done. Won’t you please join her for one of these Fall Forums? Please register by clicking on the link below: https://muskieipsiweb.muskie.usm.maine.edu/dhhs_registration/fall_forum/.”

I have worked as an AMHI Consent Decree Coordinator, Curriculum Developer and Trainer under a contract with DHHS MR Services, and now am the director of a non profit advocating on behalf of direct care workers. In spite of the unification of all the departments of health and human services, there is still no integration of services and training across departments. Agencies and workers routinely have to provide/take hundreds of hours of repetitive training because each "group" insists that their training is so much different from everyone else's. As a lawyer and a social worker I feel quite confident in saying that guardianship, confidentiality, documentation, rights, overview of human services, et.al. are pretty much the same across "specialties." The uniqueness is what the trainer should bring to the training...not necessarily the curriculum. And there is rarely, if ever, adequate training for supervisors so agencies, and therefore the state, are losing tens of thousands of dollars having to constantly recruit and retrain staff who oftentimes already received the training at another agency. Given the impending crisis in the lack of direct care workers, and as all of us baby boomers get closer to retirement it will be our problem, you could alleviate some of these problems by forcing the various departments under DHHS to work together to develop and implement a unified training curriculum that is a core for everyone, but allows for specialization. This has been talked about, agonized over, attempted, but someone always leaves the table insisting that their interests are not being adequately met. (usually it's children's services and mental health). You are also running two tier systems because of the state's inability to get out from under its consent decrees; by my count you have 4 of them in various stages of oversight. Having worked on a number of class action lawsuits and consent decrees, I can tell you that Maine's efforts seem to be guaranteed to provide long term employment for lawyers. Because of the lawsuits, the state is contracting out training services with agencies that routinely have tens of thousands of dollars left over every year. I know this because I worked for one of them, and for 5 years I watched as computers, flat panel computer screens, Aeron chairs, LCD projectors, digital cameras, etc. were purchased. (NOT MUSKIE...) Costs of training and services are higher than need be because of unnecessary training and the costs of running one system that addresses the needs relating to consent decrees, and another system that runs for everyone else...particularly in Children's services and Adult Mental Health.
From: Barbara; 865-4848
A 1% cut (or more) across the board from the Department of Health & Human Services. It's a shame that people move into Maine to get the benefits that Maine offers. (I would really appreciate a response on the effectiveness of this committee. It's a creative idea for savings and hopefully something will come from the suggestions.)
From: Marilyn Reed; 722 Middle Road, Woolwich ME 04579; wmreed@gwi.net; 443-2395
The head of DHHS should be fired and an audit performed on the portion of state government. That organization is responsible for approximately $60 million dollars of waste just in the past year.
From: Richard Atstupenas; 63 Medford Road; reconrick@hotmail.com; 540 5363
Implement an incentive for people to leave welfare. Look at the trend of long term users and ways to encourage people to not use welfare.
The first, and most significant cost savings can come from effective planning at the State level. The debacle with MECM's and the scrutiny it invited from the OIG, should be a wake up call to hasty decisions with vendors from outside our state who are not familiar with what we have and where we need to go in terms of systems management and development. The recent selection of APS HealthCare as new ASO by Maine DHHS was; 1) hastily made and seems likely to be hastily imposed, 2) sending millions of dollars out of state. My first suggestion is to rescind the contract with APS HealthCare and either develop the capacity within Maine DHHS for these functions, or form a quasi-governmental agency for this purpose or give Maine based companies priority in selection for awarding the ASO - any of these options would also help stem the "brain drain" and attract and retain skilled workers.
From: John L. Painter, MS CPRP; 765 College Street, Lewiston, ME 04240; paintervecsey@roadrunner.com; 777-7482
DHHS spending should be reduced by 30% across the board in all areas!
I work in the local Emergency Department. We see plenty of people who are told to come to the ED with their abscessed teeth because the Penobscot Community Health Center cannot get them into the dentist for a few days/weeks. Why can't these people come into the clinic to get their antibiotics and pain medicine? Certainly hiring a Nurse Practitioner or Physician's Assistant would be cheaper than a few hundred dollars each time these people present to any ED. There should be reviews of records of people who are on MaineCare. A simple tracking system of people who have frequent visits and prescriptions should be questioned. I know there is a tracking system for narcotics, but I continue to see the same people over and over. Many abuse it and come to the ED because they don’t' want to wait for an appointment or they think more will be done on an emergency department visit. Many go between both ED's in town in an attempt to obtain prescription pain meds. There should be a tracking mechanism to show who is abusing the ED's and EMS services. I have people who call EMS for a toothache or insomnia, and they are required to transport these people regardless of the reason. There could be millions saved, and since the re-imbursement is so low to hospitals and providers, this could be a win-win situation for all. I have also had people who are new to the state tell me that they have moved here since we have the second best welfare benefits in the country. (I haven't been told who is number 1.) This is not the way we want to build our state. We need people who are working and insured, not just more people to have to take care of. Are the benefits given out that freely? There should be time restrictions and set ways the benefits are dispensed. Ask any ED nurse or physician and we can tell you shameful waste of our welfare benefits.
From: Ellen; quiltedflamingo@aol.com
Cut social programs.
From: Tim McClure; 8 Autumn St, Lisbon Falls; tumcclure@roadrunner.com
Eliminate Dirigo Health.
From: Tim McClure; 8 Autumn St, Lisbon Falls; tumcclure@roadrunner.com
Reorganize DHHS and hire a good project manager.
From: Tim McClure; 8 Autumn St, Lisbon Falls; tumcclure@roadrunner.com
All MaineCare recipients should be required to provide a copay for all services of $10. If an appointment with a health care provider is missed a copay will be assessed.
From: Anne Graham; 97 Farms Edge Rd, North Yarmouth, Maine 04097; apg1@maine.rr.com
I think the State of Maine should sue the company that installed/sold the lousy software that DHHS tried to use for billing/payments. No private company would have continued to pay for that.
From: Lawrence S. Grant; 727 Hampden Road #4, Carmel ME 04419; ethel1947@roadrunner.com
Welfare needs to be limited, there is no need of Mainers having three generations on welfare. it used to be people on welfare were skinny from their surplus food, now with food stamps welfare people are all fat and never look for jobs, its sad.
I see many young people that are receiving state money. I know many are capable of working, but have been raised on welfare and are raising their children the same way. My idea is to have the physically capable ones EARN their welfare checks. There are many volunteer positions that need to be filled, or pick up trash on the streets, basically doing jobs that don't get done. I truly feel that if many of these people had to work for the welfare check, they would get off the welfare roll and get better paying job. I have no problem with helping the working poor, it is just the slackers that I take issue with.
From: T Vance; Biddeford, Me
Instead of cutting the Welfare programs, why not offer incentives to the young people trying to get off the system? Instead of eliminating all of their assistance the minute they start working, slowly wean them off their food stamps, TANIF, and other assistance. Allow them to keep MaineCare, as most jobs do not offer health insurance for dependents that the average person can afford.
From: Florence Wood; East Machias; woodf_40@yahoo.com
Review and streamline DHHS. It is so big that the agencies don’t know what the others are doing. Overlap of services and all taking a salary from it. I have a handicapped son that requires some service from DHHS. I am astounded at how many different agencies and people we must deal with to provide services for him. Just to find him a job, and he is high functioning, takes 6 different DHHS agencies to get vocational rehab. As a business owner, I can't get over how redundant the services are and the lack of accountability of many of the providers. Way too much expense going on there.
From: Mike McCormick; Dexter; mmccormick@memccormick.com; 924-5762
Implement a minimum residency requirement before someone can apply for aid. As it stands now, someone can arrive on a Bus, then walk across the street and apply for food stamps, etc... A 6-month or a 1-year requirement would encourage those to look for work first, before relying on aid first.
From: Tom; tdbmk@hotmail.com
I have first hand knowledge of excessive spending in DHHS. If someone was paid on a commission basis to investigate where/how the funds were spent, this could create an overwhelming saving. This would only be effective if the Department would act, rather than keep saying "YES" to everyone & everything. Want more info? Ask!
From: Douglas Mills; 45 Robinson Road; dugzbus@juno.com ; 547-4223

DHHS is killing this state. Cut the number of welfare programs, and stricter eligibility requirements for MaineCare. Stop handing out money to people who won't work!!
MaineCare recipients should have to pay a monthly fee of some sort and a small fee for their prescriptions up to the point where a certain amount of services has been dispensed. I have a friend who makes $28K a year and has a daughter. Neither of them have serious medical problems. She could easily afford to pay $25 a week for her and her daughter towards MaineCare (i.e., they have no chronic illnesses that would require a large percentage of their income to go toward medical expenses) and could pay a few dollars apiece for prescriptions. She owns her own home, pays less of a mortgage payment than she would if she rented ($600 a month for a 3-bedroom home--can't rent a 2-bedroom apartment for less than $800 in this area), and her car is 8 years newer than mine--and she has a car payment. Another gripe--I know of 2 instances where doctors prescribe expensive meds when less expensive ones would do the job. The doc must know that the patient isn't going to have to pay so they prescribe whatever they want instead of the least expensive medicine that will get the job done. On the other hand, I've seen instances where drugs have to be authorized before they be prescribed; I assume it is try alternatives before settling on a more expensive one--isn't this the same situation? One friend on MaineCare had strep throat and was prescribed Augmentin (something like $80 for the prescription) when she had been prescribed penicillin the previous time a few years prior and it had worked fine. Another friend went to the ER with a yeast infection and was given a prescription for an unknown medication that was over $50. I am in the medical field and was asked by a relative if there was an alternative. I told them to get some over-the-counter fungal cream and it worked fine. There's $100 in these 2 instances that could have been saved. Multiply that by many thousands and maybe the savings will add up. Everyone needs to realize that nothing is free, even if they only have to pay $1. Asking some of these recipients for $25 a week or even a month is a deal to have insurance coverage and they know it! I realize they cannot afford to pay the unbelievably high premiums for commercial insurance, but that doesn't mean they can't afford to pay SOMETHING!
I firmly believe that anyone, especially young people should not be allowed to receive welfare, when they don't work. I know three different couples, one doesn't take a job that requires they have to work weekends, because they have to go to church. Not an excuse... But they collect food stamps, live in Federal Housing in Bath and travel all over the place, as they get paid for having two children. The second couple works when they feel like it and has every toy available, ATV'S, snowmobiles and lots and lots of booze, and drink it while driving their ATV. The third couple, said why should we work, they never check us or even ask if we are looking for work. The checks come on a weekly basic. Well, we pay too much in taxes for our money to be wasted due to lack of control by our Social Service Department. This state spends money like it is water.
Stop wasting money on the MECMS computer system. This is truly Maine's Big Dig!!
Reform the "Entitlement" Programs. NO ONE IS ENTITLED TO ANYTHING. Welfare programs should be only for those who cannot help themselves-not those who will not help themselves for whatever reason. There should be a residency requirement of at least 6 months for everyone. There should be limits on the number of programs that one can receive and a 2 year limit on receiving any assistance. If a household is on a housing program they should not be allowed to receive monies from other programs. There should be limits on the amount a "family" can receive with it being locked in on the original number of persons applied for with no increases for more children. The "Household" income, whether related persons or not, should be counted in all cases. Many TANF recipients have their employed "friends" living with them without reporting them or their income. Stop all free college educations, there are many Maine residents who cannot afford college and find jobs that offer on the job training. These persons are able to make a living without government help. Make all able-bodied recipients WORK for all assistance. If necessary, establish a training center that all recipients must attend to receive benefits. If they fail to complete training in a 3 months period they are off all programs. No appeal!
Social Services (Welfare) - first make it a requirement to have been a Maine resident for a period of time (24 months maybe) before eligibility. I do not fully understand how the system currently works, but I have family members that abuse the system and I mean grossly abuse the system. The system has become a lifestyle for them. Put a lifetime limit on the number of months allowed on social services. For example if you have spent more than 24 months on social services then you are too comfortable on the system and decline services. Social services are good and are needed but I find it difficult when a family of 3 (mom and two children) get $400/ month in food stamps, when my family of 5 (mom, dad, three kids) have a weekly food budget of $80 or $350/month. I could easily reduce our monthly food budget if I lost my job tomorrow (we don't need orange juice, fruits and snacks). BTW soda, chips, ice cream, cookies are a special treat not a weekly expense.
I recommend the committee revisiting the Food Stamp Program. I have no opposition for real needy people to receive food stamps. My opposition is how the food stamps are used. I worked for a major food chain in Maine for several years in the Deli and Fish area to see people buy Lobsters with food stamps. $77.00 worth at one particular time. Lobsters are not a necessity. They are a luxury that even myself couldn't afford at the time. Also, if people can afford to take extra food stamps for lobsters, then they are receiving too many food stamps to begin with. I would like to see mandatory changes for a middle price range and a (not the most expensive or best cut) grade of meat, fish/shell fish and cheese that are acceptable standards for purchase with food stamps. Generally, supermarket brands are cheaper then NAME BRANDS. Whereby, the purchase of the most expensive best of meat, luxury lobsters and cheeses and the like be denied at the register while checking out, in order to use foods stamps more wisely. Once people realize the practice of buying the most expensive is unacceptable, after they have been educated from State rules regarding food stamp use, the advantage to clients will stretch the stamps further for their food budget. The most expensive can't be much different nutrient wise! A computer program to estimate the middle range cost of foods for clients per family might be more cost effective for the State when issuing food stamps. The computer should be updated perhaps annually due to cost increases for food, and considering the eligibility while reviewing the families actual need to continue the program. I would hope that in some way it might save our State money!
From: Joan Gilbert-Croteau; 24 Lambert RD , Skowhegan, Maine; jmgilbert24@msn.com
CUT DOWN ON GIVE AWAY PROGRAMS, WE HAVE WAY TO MANY HEALTHY AND ABLE PEOPLE SITTING AT HOME GETTING PAID MORE THAN THE AVERAGE WORKING MAINER. STOP BRINGING ALIENS IN TO THIS STATE AND GIVING THEM A FREE RIDE AT THE TAX PAYERS EXPENSE.
From: ALFRED SNOW
One idea I have is to look into disability (there are a lot of people collecting disability and working under the table.) for instance people who are disabled due to back problems shouldn't be lifting snowmobiles, riding dirt bikes, doing manual labor. But I bet you at least 35% of the people on disability are working under the table.
From: James Preble; fusion900@hotmail.com
From long observation, I believe that the real problem at DHHS is a general lack of competence in management at all levels. This cannot be corrected by "flattening" management. What happens when a management position is eliminated at any level is that the employee displaced just bumps down one level, the person they bump then bumps, and so on, until the employee who is actually eliminated is a line worker. It is almost impossible to upgrade entrenched management in the State system. It would need a commissioner determined to hold all managers tightly accountable and willing to go through the Byzantine process of firing those who failed -- something never yet seen in state or federal government I'm afraid. The only available tool I see is regular rigorous external audit with zero-tolerance accountability.
Here is how you save a boat load of money. Have a time limit and stricter requirements for state aid (welfare, etc.) to many people in this state that don't need it (including my own relatives) use and abuse this system because they know loop holes. Follow the lead of mass. & n.h. by placing a two year limit then there on there own. my wife works in the dentistry field and dealt with Maine care patients, too many times she complains about Maine care patients who are driving Cadillacs and wearing designer clothes, you can't tell me that’s o.k. one of my own cousins twenty years old with a 1 year old baby, has never worked a day in her life because the state says yes we'll support you, so she does nothing. will this be popular with Maine people maybe, maybe not, will it save money, definitely! Do the right thing, don't punish the people that do need this service, just the people that abuse the system! THINK ABOUT IT!!!!!
I personally know of a family on every type of assistance available. He quit his job, a good job making good money. She hasn't worked for years. They have four children. The husband smokes, uses drugs, etc., etc., etc. They are on Maine Care but choose to go to the ER whenever there is a bump or scrape. They have a person come in several times a week to help out (DHHS) in home support. Two strapping young people with children big enough to take care of themselves and still the State of Maine spends my hard earned money to take care of them. What is wrong with this picture? Cut some out of hand programs. Let's start using some common sense and get back to basics here.
In my opinion I believe that Maine has become a welfare state. DHHS is to quick to give out TANF to people. TANF was designed to be a temporary fix, hence the name Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, I am not saying that all the families are taking advantage of the system but a good portion are. I attend Bernards School of Cosmetology. There are at least 8 students that I know for a fact that are receiving TANF. All of these peoples are admitted drug users. They are spending there monies on illegal narcotics. Actually they are spending the taxpayers monies. I also now for a fact that a majority of the low-income people in Lewiston, Maine are abusing the system. The state needs to mandate stricter rules when issuing TANF checks, because I am tired of paying for these peoples drugs. One way to rid the state of this issue would be to enforce drug testing on anybody who applies for TANF and as well as people who are currently receiving benefits. I would not mind footing the bill for a drug test on every applicant because in the long run the state would save money by not issuing as many TANF checks. My husband and I work our butts off to make ends meat. Then you get people who take advantage of the system. My best friend is a single mother of three. She works full time to be able to afford her rent and other bills. Her paycheck is about 300-350 dollars a week. Well that is good if she did not have any children. DHHS gives her $26.00 a month to by food. I am sorry but that won't feed three children for a day let alone a month!!! I believe that the state should change the way it helps needy families, we need to separate the druggies from the real people that have needs!!! I would appreciate a follow-up about this matter.
From: Pamela Chasse; 284 Pine St. Lewiston, Maine 04240; pmgizah@aol.com;
713-2565
There needs to be a huge overhaul of the welfare system in Maine. I personally know someone who got their childcare paid for, schooling paid for, housing paid for, etc by the state. After 5 years, she still did not have even close to an Associates degree and she was in school full time!! A normal person could almost have their master's degree at that point! I know there are people out there that need to help. I'm a single parent of two and make I only make about $21,000 a year gross. I know how hard it is to live in this state. I think anyone receiving welfare needs to get at least a part time job in order to get benefits. They need to have visible proof that they are at least trying to get off of the system. Many people move to Maine because of the ease of getting on the welfare system. This is at the cost of us tax payers. It's time for the people of this state to take charge and stop leaving in the in the hands of the bureaucrats in Augusta.
Welfare reform. If you get assistance, you need to take steps to get off of it. I think the state should require welfare recipients to get jobs, even if only part time, in order to maintain their eligibility. I also don't think being pregnant automatically qualifies you for Maine Care.
I have run a licensed home day care business for over 20 years with no complaints. I am wondering why the state continues to pay human resource workers to drive- unannounced, to our homes. While I can see this for perhaps the first visit, or if there has been a complaint....but why do we tax payers pay for them to make trips on days we are not open, vacations, holidays, nights, and weekends? I can't help but wonder how many WASTED miles and hours logged driving could be avoided with just a phone call. Are you going to be home? Along with that is the need for Carelink, the Quality For ME program, the various committee's and so forth that are set up to figure out how to get quality childcare for Maine. There are so many departments and people involved with these programs that one hand doesn't seem to know what the other is doing. It seems to me, that this money could be better spent offering interest free loans, and/or some sort of tax credit for the providers. Or how about funds for the required CPR/First Aid, 12 hours of training, etc. It is so frustrating, to year after year see all these new "committee's" of folks who have NEVER worked with kids and do not understand the reality of being able to offer quality care at prices that working parents can afford. The more money spent on rules and regulations- the more cookie cutter programs come out of it, and the fewer quality affordable programs are able to comply- so they either close, or go "under the table", because it is not worth it to deal with the hassle of being licensed. This is definitely NOT in the best interest for children. Couldn't our money be better spent? Another blatant waste of taxpayer money is the social system. I worked for the Parent Resource Center for a couple of years offering parent education -most often to folks whose children had been taken away by Human Services. I had to get done, because morally I could no longer deal with what I was seeing on a day to day basis. The abuse of the system. Why do we provide Parent Education (as $35 an hour....while the educator gets $11......it takes $16 an hour to run a non-profit agency? A gripe all on its own about non-profit), Substance Abuse Counseling, Anger Management classes, free transportation, free education, free housing, free medical, food stamps..........why why why, when middle income folks are working two jobs and can't afford medical treatment, but make to much to get the aid they would get if they didn't work. In every single case I handled in two years, each and every parent continued to use drugs, resisted change and continually spent their days figuring out how to get the most out of the system. Why do we give drug abusers and criminals so much money- how about if we give that same money to foster care? Make it an affordable alternative for women to provide a loving family for children. What greater job is there? I can't help but think if that were the case, the quality of foster care would improve, and the quality of children would improve. In the long run, that would be children who would see another way of life, and not become a statistic of repeat generations of families living off the system. Thank you for letting me share my opinions. If you would like to talk more about any/all of my opinions and examples, please let me know.
From: Kim Levesque; P. O. Box 1033; Wells, ME 04090
No social services for illegal immigrants who move here just for the benefits.
From: Ken Abbott; P.O. Box 580 Clinton 04927 (by phone)
I also feel people on welfare and disability should be checked out more thoroughly. Rather they are on military disability or not. Some people are not holding up to what they say and can go to work and be taken off welfare/disability. Even ones with disability with kids gets Medicaid from Maine and all the benefits, these people getting these programs especially with kids should be checked out at least once a month. I think everyone in need of help should get it to some extent but if they are capable of working and want to stay home with the kids that is not a good thing for any state. I think these people on welfare should go to work they are in a comfy zone. thank you
From: CALISTA CROSS; CORNISH MAINE
Spend less on the homeless shelters in Portland who cater to the alcoholics and drug addicts and spend more on the children of working parents who are trying to get ahead in the world.
Department of Human Services could save Millions of dollars by only paying for real emergencies at the hospital emergency's room on the weekend. It would stop the abuse of people on Mainecare from running to the Emergency Room for minor problems. Go to any Emergency Room and monitor it on a weekend and you will see the problem. Not only is it costing the taxpayers of Maine, it is also taking away valuable time someone in a true emergency needs.
From: Thomas Washburn; Milo, Maine; hunter04463@peoplepc.com
First of all, my kudos to you for asking the public for ideas! We all see things differently, and this is a great way to see our beautiful state in action through someone else’s eyes. I would like to see some major changes made to the welfare program. As a teenage mother 29 years ago, I was extremely grateful for the AFDC and food stamps I received for a few short months. I was out looking for a job every day, and once I found one, I actually mailed my food stamps back with a note of thanks to the state. I ate a lot of macaroni and cheese in those days, but I made it, and never had to ask for help again. I feel there is no incentive for people to get out there and take care of themselves with so much welfare available. I am all for helping someone in their time of need, and do it every day, but there has to be a timeframe tied to it. All too often, welfare just carries down from one generation to the next, and the cycle has to be broken. I’ve seen way too many people taking advantage of the system for years! Thank you.
As a property manager for subsidized housing in Maine, I am required to verify income of tenants in order to calculate their rent. One of the common sources of income I find is the State Supplement to SSI. That comes in the form of a $10.00 stipend per month. I wonder how much it costs the taxpayer to send out that $10.00. Why can't it be either eliminated altogether or at least combined with the SSI check they already get? What's the point of sending someone a check for $663.00 for SSI then another $10.00 for SSI Supplement? My gut feeling is that it's a territorial issue between agencies (federal vs. state) and should be looked into.
From: David Lawson; 97 Eastern Ave. Brewer, Maine 04412; Dlawson264@adelphia.net; 989-4555
I think that we need to stop giving money and other things to people who are perfectly able to get up and work. I'm 16, I have a job, I go to school, I play sports. If I can do it why can't any other person. There are too many aliens coming into this state, and getting free things at the taxpayers’ expense. My family has lived in this state for generations, but now its getting to tough to afford to live in what I think is the best state in the country.
From: Lyndsay
Please severely reduce the public programs. Encourage people to work. In addition to do some kind of work for their benefits. Reduce and make more complicated programs such as 1. Subsidized housing. People get on those programs and stay for a lifetime. 2. Food Stamps; 3. Fuel assist; 4. Reduced medical benefits for adults. We must encourage people to work. This will build self respect. It will reduce crime. It will encourage new small business start up. It is not a thing of pride to be known as the welfare state. What happened to hard working Yankee work ethic? By having all these programs we are encouraging a decline in the very thing for which Maine is known. We who work do not appreciate supporting those who are able to work and do not. I fully understand that in checking and double checking truthfulness in checking out qualifying for benefits it will cost more... but I think the long term savings from removing people who do not truly NEED these programs will more than offset that number. In addition all benefits should have time limits.
From: Charli Spearrin; floors@beeline-online.net
Reduce the amount of MaineCare services -monitor the duration and effectiveness of MaineCare services- utilization review -reduce the MaineCare rates for behavioral health to other states' rates- ours are some of the highest in the country -eliminate the entitlement of providers to be able to bill MaineCare for behavioral health -review the efficiency of the departments -enforce fraud and policies -consolidate computer systems -require extensive stakeholder involvement and testing prior to going-live for new software -review costs of merging DHS and BDS- did it save money? Review efficacy of merging DHS and BDS- a recent survey showed 68% of the staff felt the merger wasn't necessary -limit the price we pay for consultants -eliminate the employer-paid retirement benefits for the confidential bargaining unit -do a salary/benefit comparison to the private sector -limit reimbursement of salaries of social service and other private providers
Eliminate the bottomless money pit that is Dirigo Health, it cost to much tax payer money to insure so few people. Or charge them a premium of $50.00 a week with a $5000.00 deductible, which is what I pay for my crappy health insurance. I would prefer elimination personally. ALLOW more competition for health insurance into this state.
From: Mark Morissette
STOP adding social programs to the already BLOATED government!!!
From: Mark Morissette
In Maine, children with disabilities may qualify for MaineCare's Katie Beckett waiver. Eligibility determination is based on the child's disability, not the family's income. Once a child is determined to be eligible, he/she must go through an annual assessment to determine continued eligibility. This assessment consists of a nurse from a contracted agency meeting with the child and parent to ask the same questions year after year. The child must be present to prove he/she exists. There is minimal to no interaction between the nurse and the child during the assessment. The paper work is then given to a physician to review and make the final determination. This is a costly process. Some children who have life long disabilities, such as autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and serious medical conditions, will most likely always be eligible for Katie Beckett. Here is how I think Maine can save several hundred thousand dollars a year: For children with certain medical and disabling conditions, have them undergo a face to face assessment every three years instead of every year. During the "off" years, have the child's physician complete paperwork for MaineCare. The parents would still have to complete income paperwork in case their situation has changed and the child is eligible for regular MaineCare. Vermont made this change in their Katie Beckett program a few years back. I'm not sure how much money was saved, but I've been told it was substantial. My guess is there other, similar, assessments going on throughout the state that should be looked at as well. I'd be happy to talk further with you about my idea. The process as it exists is very difficult for Maine families of children with life long disabilities. I know because I am one of them. Thank you for your consideration.
From: Jean Youde; Hallowell, Maine; jyoude@verizon.net; 621-0929
Stop paying for children in custody to go abroad on a school trip or to get their hair foiled at approximately $125 or buying $60 jeans or clothes for a cross dresser just to fit in. Middle America cannot afford this for their own children but are expected to pay this for kids in custody just to fit in. My children wore Sears jeans at about $20 a pair. What's the incentive for teens to work if you start right out of the gate giving them better than those of us who have to pay. If I were a kid I would learn real quick just how the system works. While I understand the struggles they may have, throwing $$$ willy nilly is not the answer.
Change some of the TANF rules that would hold people more accountable. For example if receiving TANF you already make a pledge to work towards being self supporting, however in Maine we don't close the case for not doing what they agreed to do, instead we remove the adults and of course they get about 3 other chances to make good. You already have over burdened staff spinning their wheels on clients that really have no intention of helping themselves. Eliminate the Unemployed Program in TANF. If not eliminate, change the rules so that you are always looking at quarters of work for continued eligibility. If not you just create another way for people to not have to work and a criteria that gives them ongoing eligibility. I would seriously consider a 5 year rule, other than what we have now. If you look at the current roles our numbers of clients over 60 months are increasing. We have created an entitlement mentality. In fact the rules are written in such a way that we will struggle with meeting federal performance because once someone is sanctioned and off the grant they can continue to receive until the cows come home and are still counted in the denominator of performance. It's also time to really look at the income levels to be eligible for Maine Care. It's not the poor we cover, it is truly middle and upper middle class. In some cases they have the option of picking up employer based insurance but why should they if they can get it for free.
Evaluate the current systems and processes for all state and federally funded welfare programs and develop a common automated client application. This should be a state-sponsored technology effort and not one embarked upon by individual programs each with different contractors. Food stamps, MaineCare, WIC, Head Start, TANF all serve a common population. Simplifying the application process will benefit clients and save administrative costs. Don't let the all too familiar "it can't be done" mantra prevail.
Cut welfare programs. There are too many needless ones and too many people on welfare.
From: Arthur Hughes; 51 Winding Way, Lewiston, Maine 04240; arthurach@Verizon.net; 782-0757
TANF fraud appears to be wide-spread; yet when DHHS is notified of possible fraud cases, the response always seems to be that there is no staff to investigate/prosecute these cases. Prosecution of TANF fraud is an area which would easily pay for itself and then some. Very often, fraud can be established simply based on statements the TANF recipient made to an agent of another Division, e.g., DSER, without further investigation.
From: Andrea C. Najarian, Assistant Attorney General; Andrea.Najarian@maine.gov;
822-0265
Insurance companies require pre-authorization before they will pay claims but not Maine Care. The subject of double billing needs to be looked into. I have seen people go to provider after provider receiving services from all of them at the same time even though regulations in place forbid it. A simple pre authorization for services could immediately identify who is bilking the system and save the state millions of dollars a year.
BACKGROUND: DHHS, Licensing and Regulatory Services is responsible for inspecting Nursing Homes and Hospitals. For Nursing Homes, there are three teams: Augusta, Bangor, and Portland. For the Hospitals, there is ONE team of nurses. In the past, one team member, the Health Facilities Specialist, was "loaned" out to the Hospital team from the Augusta office. That person was responsible for the Augusta region nursing homes and ALL of the hospitals in the state. Recently, the hospital team has acquired a “contract” Health Facilities Specialist, who is paid a higher rate, plus mileage, to survey the hospitals.
SUGGESTION: Each of the three Facilities Specialists (Bangor, Augusta and Portland) should be able to split the hospitals the same way they do the Nursing Homes.
SAVINGS: You would not have to reimburse for hotels and meals and mileage would be reduced since most of the facilities are within 50 miles of the three district offices. Currently, when the nursing home surveyors are out, Portland has no overnight stays due to travel distance, Augusta has two, and Bangor has approximately five. The hospital team has many more since they travel over the entire state. Eliminating the contract Health Facilities Specialist for Hospitals frees up approximately $35,000 in salary. The State Health Facilities Specialists are all level 20 employees at approximately $25,000 each. Overall savings to the state, including salaries and travel reimbursements may be approximately $40,000/year. Not much considering the budget, but it’s a start. Thank You.
From: Rodney E Brents; 10 Avery Street, Lisbon Falls, ME 04252; rbrents@northcountryassociates.com ; 353-7926
Regional DOT and Human Services with New Hampshire and Vermont.
From: Ed Boynton; PO Box 43, Frenchville, ME; 543-6179
After working for Wal-mart for more than 10 years I an even more convinced that the AFDC/EBT program needs to be overhauled. The customers who come through the line and pay with EBT cards are twice as likely to have a total over $200 as well purchase what most people would consider luxury items. I can not tell you how many times that I have seen lobster paid for with state funds. In contrast the WIC program provides for specific staples which, in my opinion are the types of foods that should be allowable with the state EBT cards. The technology is already in place to be able to implement a program which would allow for only specific basic items to be purchased. Retailers routinely designate specific upc codes for specific purposes. It would not be any different for them to code allowed food stamp purchasable items. My husband and I both work and pay taxes and can rarely afford to spend more than $75 per week on groceries, it is so hard to know that any of my tax money is paying for someone else's meals when we can barely afford our own. An overhaul of the items allowed for EBT purchase may also make the benefit less attractive, and therefore provide incentive for those who enjoy the current benefits to work for the things that want. The government should be providing necessities, not luxuries.
From: dsl225@yahoo.com
Please reduce welfare!!! Everyone knows someone who is collecting who shouldn’t be. There are so many "single" mothers who are living with the father ... etc!! We just handout money- and LOTS of it. Some of them live better than me and both my husband and I work and we can’t make ends meet and we are over the average household income for Maine!! Also Please make food stamps good for JUST nutritional items (i.e. milk, bread, etc) Like WIC.

Education – K-12

Presently, I work for a major Environmental Engineering firm in Portland. I have held this job for the last two years and work as a Senior Cad designer and IT coordinator. Before that, I worked for a Civil Engineering firm in Portland for twelve years as a Cad designer and computer specialist. During that time, this company had been involved with a number of projects involving site designs for public school systems. One thing I had notice about this process, was how time consuming and how much money was spent by an architect in designing a school building. Of course, the state had to pick a certain amount of this cost. Each community had to have certain things built into the building, adding costs to the design. My suggestion? Have ten to twenty pre-designed school buildings with a list of materials to build this school. As each year goes by, the cost of each pre-designed school is known in advance. No more extravagant designs. Just basic, well design buildings with the option to add on a wing or an additional story as needed. These designs should always include the ability to add on more class rooms. Add in only basic cost for landscaping and other general needs. That's it. The designs for school buildings where one must purchase additional property to build a completely new school must stop. New properties are much harder to find (i.e. wetlands) and costly. Any additional needs for the school for enhanced landscaping, patios, athletic fields, etc, are to be pick up by the community, as they see fit. The state only has to provide basic designs for the community. Thank you.
From: Cameron Gordon; 45 Lubec Street, South Portland, ME
And as for the consolidation of school districts, I think someone was having a wide awake fantasy. I see so much more money being spent in the near future with this that the taxpayer is just gearing up for their worst night mare. And I'm afraid my life's end will probably be that of a homeless person because the burden will be too great. Want to save tax dollars on the school systems it is really a very simple solution maybe that's why it's NOT in place, too simple and with great SAVINGS. Implement a FOUR DAY SCHOOL WEEK, TUES.-FRIDAY, ADD ONE HOUR AND FIFTEEN MIN. TO THE SCHOOL DAY. The savings would be enormous. believe me with the price of gas, etc. it would be a win win situation. The trickle down effect would be immense think about it. Also teachers work shops could/would be held on a NON SCHOOL DAY. Did you ever observe an early release day at school, it's a wasted day the only benefit is the staff is on the pay roll.
From: Marlene McGinley; 187 Main St Mattawamkeag; molly23@fairpoint.net
The school system is out of control. It seems no one is accountable in the school system. If budgets over run so what. I think the system of no child left behind is putting tax payers in the red. I think it's time for people to take a stand and say why should we pay thousands of dollars on a child to get them through school only to have tax payers still pay for them the rest of their life. Remember it's called public schools which should provide base line good education. When it takes 2 or 3 teachers per day to get one student through the regular students and tax payers suffer.
From: Terry Sawyer; tsawyer@panax.com; 338-4436
Eliminate the state process of sending education funding back to the locality. Let each city and town assess their own education dollars and retain them.
Eliminate the department of education.
From: Tim McClure; 8 Autumn St, Lisbon Falls; tumcclure@roadrunner.com
SCHOOL FUNDING IDEA----currently many schools exceed the 175 student days and 5 teacher workshop days which are state minimum. School systems which exceed the 180 days are receiving more funds by being open more days---the state should pay for ONLY the days which are the minimum and leave the rest up to local control---this might have to be instituted over a couple years but the state is paying for many additional days throughout the state via the funding formula. Fund only mandated days---no more----there must be a way to separate summer/vacation days from those when students attend. Costs would go down and it would have a trickle down effect as there would be less costs for food services, transportation, and many positions such as student aides etc;
From: Dennis Wooster; 41 Sandy Shores Road Warren ME 04864; dennis_wooster@sad40.k12.me.us; 273-3770
Stop funding the Department of Education's Distance Learning Project. It has been funded for almost 10 years yet it still hasn't reached a level of usage that justifies the cost to maintain it. (Less than 25% of the participating schools regularly offer or receive courses via the system.) The DoE has done little to encourage the use of the system having lost interest in it since the laptop initiative began. A corporation would have cut its losses and terminated the project long ago.
Review and streamline the Department of Education. It is so big that the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing. One of the fastest growing Departments in the state government. They create rules for schools and then hire tons of people to over see and direct the local schools to comply. Take a look at there website and the names of the positions of some of the employees. It is laughable that they have some one actually in charge of some of these things. We have local school superintendents that can assure compliance, we don’t need nuns with rulers (DOE employees) slapping our knuckles to comply. As a business owner, I can't get over how redundant the services are and the lack of accountability of within the department. Way too much expense going on there.
From: Mike McCormick; Dexter; mmccormick@memccormick.com; 924-5762
My suggestion is to cut the laptop program. Take part of that money and build computer labs in those school districts that do not have them and provide a late bus. It worked for me when I was in school (and in college) and it can work for our kids now. Handing them a laptop is a colossal waste of money and from what I have seen, most of them spend more time on MySpace then actually using it to learn something! With a computer lab, then can be restricted from going on such websites as MySpace and will need to use their time to complete their work. By forming computer labs, where the kids have access and a way home afterwards, is a far better way to spend money. Not to mention the huge amount that will be saved by getting rid of the ridiculous program. Thank you!
From: Sarah Gilliam; 17 South Ridge Dr.; gilliams@psouth.net
Our school superintendents, and presumably other educators, often travel the length of the state for conferences and meetings of various sorts. In addition to the travel, they stay at upscale places such as the Marriott in South Portland. We could save a lot of money if these educators would avail themselves of the same teleconferencing facilities used by the University System for distance learning. These facilities use two-way microwave video links with drops at many University and local school campuses. The savings in transportation costs, lodging and lost time would be significant, although these folks would probably resist because they would lose their cozy little junkets. To be fair, members of most other State agencies are probably just as guilty of traveling when they could telecommute. We need a State policy where travel, meals and lodging would have to be strictly justified against teleconferencing.
From: Norm Blake; West Baldwin
As a Registered Nurse with experience in both hospital and school based settings, I have observed some "procedures" or "policies" which I feel are not cost efficient. The most flagrant of these is the policy of allowing a professional staff member to go on a "sabbatical". As I have observed in the local school district, SAD5, this involves the person being allowed to take what amounts to a partially-paid leave-of-absence for an agreed upon period of time. The person presents a plan in which he/she describes a benefit to the school district/university which would justify this absence and enormous expense of not only paying them but also paying the salary and benefits of a replacement for them while they are gone. I have observed this and seen no benefit to the school district and, in fact, most of the persons taking advantage of this peculiar deal have actually never returned or taken alternative positions elsewhere. This presents a win for the person but significant loss for the district/university that agrees to it.
From: T. Woodman; tomwoodmanrn@gmail.com
The Department of Education should be eliminated and we should return to the State Board of Education system. DOE policies have caused the steady decline of the quality of public education in Maine, in addition to the department being rife with programs that provide no direct service to the schools, students, or people of the State of Maine. Much of this has to do with the chase for "federal matching funds." Whole programs exist, at taxpayer expense, for no real purpose except to provide match for federal funds that are then spent internally within the DOE.
My construction company has been involved in several school construction projects. They are all over designed from an ascetics point of view. I understand that everyone wants good looking schools but they don't have to be monuments. If state money is involved there should be some sort of design guidelines. Architects usually get paid as a percentage of the final cost so they have no incentive to design a practical building. Reasonable guidelines for school design could save the state millions in construction costs.
From: Tim White; 189 Greely Rd. Yarmouth; twhite@whitebrosinc.com; 829-6442
MAINE CHILDREN ARE OBESE! It has been attributed to among other things, a lack of exercise. So why do we choose to act as a limousine service with our school busses! Too many school bus stops wastes diesel fuel and also wastes the time and fuel of everyone caught behind this stop and go from house to house process. It is wasteful for the town and the state as well as any individual that has waited behind a bus. I live on a private road in Litchfield where the school bus drops off children at the end of our dirt road and they have to walk to their homes from there. The minimum distance a child has to walk is ½ mile. My suggestion would be for towns and cities to evaluate their private roads and average out the distance children are required to walk. Use this as a minimum distance for school bus stops. This would be a fair process. Parents should also take an active role in assuring there children are at the required bus stops, this will provide the parents with some needed exercise as well. For obvious reasons this is not a popular suggestion, but it is certainly one to keep in mind the next time you're caught behind a bus that stops at EVERY house on the block and your own fuel tank is running low.
From: levasseur@fairpoint.net
At the MDOE, many programs are thrust upon schools and communities. Apple laptops, comprehensive assessments, Maine learning results, etc. The MDOE takes ownership of a particular program and then attempts to have most schools deploy a like program. The public would be better served if MDOE acted as an unbiased "seed" developer. MDOE should not get attached to any particular way to educate and support youngsters. For example in the state laptop program, there are MDOE employees who are "Apple laptop" experts and "Apple laptop repair and distribution process" experts. Instead, MDOE should seed out money and then evaluate and spotlight whatever technology or whatever assessment system, etc. is producing the best measurable results. MDOE expertise would be produce far better actual results by instead becoming expert at evaluating education technologies and methods and then sharing best practices among all schools. As an example the Career and Technical Education (CTE) folks produced an excellent statewide technical curriculum (in 27 subject areas)and database that was free and voluntary to any technical HS. Schools could take the free database and the curriculum and modify it to suit local needs. The CTE folks then supported "ANY" database or platform or curriculum methodology used by any technical HS. This was an excellent model. MDOE did try to do something like this in creating a very limited set of "approved" assessments for example, but it would be far more efficient to instead of producing product, to instead seed money to the districts and then spotlight and share the product.
From: Bill Portela; 36 Greeley Rd, Windsor Me 04363; maplelanefarm@adelphia.net; 549-3495
Use Education Construction funding for new schools more wisely, knowing there is a declining student population, and that new schools generally are being sited in areas that increase future costs (such as for busing).
From: Richard Roedner; 56 Wildwood Drive; rroedner@maine.rr.com; 286-1281
I saw where we have new school buses in our areas SAD#55 why do we need these huge buses when we can use a smaller van or vehicle to get the kids to school? A van would cost less in gas plus it would have seat belts to protect the kids. Some states are talking about putting seat belts onto the buses which will be costly if made mandatory across the country. If towns have fewer kids to take to school then vans might be a good solution. My kids had to walk to school because they lived a mile away. I also had to walk to school all my 12 years because that was the rule back then but it has it good points where we get exercise. Kids who live close enough to school should walk or ride there bike it would be less kids to transport by bus and again to see about using smaller vehicles to transport kids to schools. Also., in MS my daughter has five children in school and they have to buy there own pen/pencils paper and what ever is needed for school supplies it makes taxes less for everyone..
From: CALISTA CROSS; CORNISH MAINE
Teachers are overpaid and are killing local taxpayers and the State. Teachers start at $30,000 but it is a part time (70%) job so they really make $43,000 per year to start and $50,000 (or $72,000) after about 10 years. I know of no other publicly funded bachelors level position that comes near this. In SAD 50 the salary line is $7 million. I find it hard to see how eliminating one superintendent at $100,000 will make even a small dent in this line. The health care benefits line is 1.3 million and I wonder why teachers get a full health care benefits package when most other part-time workers have to pay a prorated rate. All of the above is forcing property owners to sell their land that has been in the family for generations (the so called circuit breaker program is a farce). Land does not mean that I have money...the only way to get money from land is to sell it! Getting a handle on teachers' salaries and benefits will help the State and local government bring things back into line.
From: Don Saastamoinen; 76 Cross Road, Cushing, ME 04563
When new schools are built, a huge fee is usually paid to architects. Why must every school be a custom architectural project, and why do the architects retain copyright rights to plans developed at public expense? Every architectural plan paid for with public funds should become the property of the state, and should become part of a library of plans that are available to be reused in other school districts in the future. There would still be site-specific modifications needed at new projects, but drawing on a library of state-owned plans would likely save at least 80% of the architectural fees. In many cases, these fees now account for about ten percent of the total construction costs. This same approach could be extended to other non-school public structures such as jails, court houses, libraries, health facilities, police stations, etc. The state should cease providing an underground corporate welfare program for architects.
From: Don Snoke; 50 Bridgham Hill Road, Sullivan, ME; dsnoke@adelphia.net
Stop this School consolidation plan. The savings are not there except in the Bangor & Portland Schools. The amt. of students required by this plan would require a district to bus students to other schools @ an unknown cost in gas & lost instructional time as most students would have to travel a min. of 2 hrs. on a bus from one town to another. It would also disrupt high school & middle school sports schedules.
When the school districts reveal their choice for new / combined school districts, don't just rubber stamp their choices. Review and change if necessary for extra cost savings. For example, why would Harpswell, Orr's Island and Bailey Island send their children to SAD75 or Topsham? Brunswick is much closer - thus saving many dollars in time and transportation costs. Just because that's the way we used to do it" is no longer a valid excuse. Some toes may get stepped on and a few extra overhead positions may be cut, but that's what this is all about.
State should buy cars that are fuel-efficient for bus drivers to use, especially in rural areas, that are left at the school. Once the bus drivers drop the kids off at school and return home, they use the fuel-efficient car to get home instead of driving the bus home. This would save money on fuel, insurance and wear and tear on the buses. Other states are doing this and have saved money. Please call for more information. Would like input back.
From: Guy Jones; Kossuth Township; 796-5086 (by phone)
Has any consideration gone into a moratorium on building new schools until the school district consolidation is completed? Currently Durham is planning to build a new elementary school at a cost of $?? million dollars BEFORE they make a plan to consolidate with other towns. I would think the state would mandate Durham explore the possibility of working with the surrounding towns to send children to them (Brunswick is right next door and the navy base is closing. Seems like they should have a few empty seats in their schools) rather than build a school and then say "No sense consolidating since we just spent all this money on a new school". This is only one example, I'm sure there are others. Please try to save our tax dollars. I'll be okay but my children will need to leave the state if the current tax burden continues. Thank you for your time and consideration.
From: Rodnell L. Stimpson; 60 Emerson Road; Diablo@suscom-maine.net; 353-9431
The Governor's school consolidation effort is an outstanding effort. I hope that the legislature does not water down the implementation.
From: Imus B Anonymous
Eliminate DOE and University Chancellor's Office.
From: Ed Boynton; PO Box 43, Frenchville, ME; 543-6179
Eliminate state mandates for education.
From: Ed Boynton; PO Box 43, Frenchville, ME; 543-6179

Education – Higher Education

Close University College in Bangor...there is a Community College 3 miles away!
Close U. Maine, Augusta
Down size the number of professors and teach assistants at the University of Maine. Many of those folks teach 1 or two classes for the entire week and make $90,000. Very inefficient. Stop the expansion of the U o M system until it can afford to support itself without continually needed additional taxpayer support. Stop constructing buildings until capital reserves are available to take care of the ones they already have.
From: Mike McCormick; Dexter; mmccormick@memccormick.com; 924-5762
HOW ABOUT TAKING A REAL HONEST LOOK AT THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM? A real honest look at the community college system would show that it is failing in terms of meeting the needs of the students and industry for Maine. The students most in need of a trade are being forsaken in order to make the school operate as a business model therefore the technical programs that cost money to be put on our being eliminated for the purpose of liberal arts classes that can turn a profit but not prepare a student to live and work in Maine. The CC system has become nothing but an over-budgeted junior college to U Maine and would be better off as part of the U Maine system. It is no different than looking at the regionalization of a lot of things in the state in order to get more money back to the service level and away from the administrative end. Just look at President Fitzimmons administrative budget for himself and his staff. Waste is easy to find, just need someone with the nerve to find it and fix it.
Reduce the Univ. of Maine authorized Sabbatical Leave salaries for approximately 140 different employees by 50% from approximately $4.0 million in 09 to $2 million in 09.
From: Rep. Patrick Flood; reppatrick.flood@legislature.maine.gov
Reduce all salaries of the University System and state government to under $100,000.
From: Ed Boynton; PO Box 43, Frenchville, ME; 543-6179
Reduce all state workers, university employees and teachers salaries by 2%.
From: Ed Boynton; PO Box 43, Frenchville, ME; 543-6179
Eliminate the use of university and state vehicles except for public safety (police) and DOT.
From: Ed Boynton; PO Box 43, Frenchville, ME; 543-6179

Transportation

Have the Maine State Police cruisers that are out on patrol not drive around on the highways so much wasting gas. They can sit in the median in specific sectors along the highway and serve as a deterrent to passing motorists to slow down. During warm weather days, the cruisers can sit with their engines off. On hot or cold days, the cruisers can sit idling to keep the heater/air conditioning running.
From: Edward Zelmanow; 23 Allison lane, Gorham 04038; Edward@Zelmanow.com; 773-0661
I have also been thinking about ways to bring industry to the islands but the transportation issue continues to get in the way. Is there a way to have an incentive - free ferry fare for merchandise moving to and from the islands to benefit affordable housing, etc.? Companies created for the sole purpose of not only providing winter employment, but all profits going right back into affordable housing, health care etc. - again saving tremendous amounts of money.
From: E. Joanne Whitehead, Executive Director of Islesboro Affordable Property; 832 Main Road, Islesboro, ME 04848; theabbey@midcoast.com; 734-2033
DOT, how many people do we need watching the guy in the backhoe? Seriously, lets give DOT an incentive to be lean and mean, how about bonuses to cut waste. Say if you come up with a savings of a half a million you get a 10k bonus!
From: Jay Feyler; 11 N Union Rd. Union , ME 04862; jfeyler@aol.com; 785-4758
Fuel conservation for all Department of Transportation vehicles. For one example, sanding/plow trucks travel a certain route everyday during the winter months whether the weather is beautiful or if there is any indication of a storm. It used to be the Maintenance Foreman's job to patrol the roads and decide if sanding/plowing was needed (day and night).
From: Marilyn Reed; 722 Middle Road, Woolwich ME 04579; wmreed@gwi.net;
443-2395
Reduction of commercial vehicle inspection units.
From: Marilyn Reed; 722 Middle Road, Woolwich ME 04579; wmreed@gwi.net;
443-2395
I work for a company that has done work for the DOT. After seeing the layer upon layer of redundant employees, I can see a huge savings potential. The levels of inspectors, foreman, engineers, site foreman, etc, etc, etc on many jobs is beyond belief. Aside from the many levels of labor that can be eliminated, seeing projects that are wasteful are everywhere. For example, to see road lines repainted, then having that road paved over (along with the lines) a week later, only to have the stripe crew come back again. I can name the specific roads if needed, but I'm sure that there are many more than the ones I've seen. Let’s look at how efficient our state crews are. I know that there are many hard working individuals. However, I have personal experience finding a state employee SLEEPING in the safety truck that follows contractors on the highway. He was sleeping because there were two people in that truck that idled around behind us all day - is it really a necessary expense to have 2 people in each truck all the time? Has the DOT thought about bailing the hay from the grass on the highway and use that for erosion control instead of buying it. Take it easy on the ditching projects. Not only is it a waste to skim off the sod and then seed it again, it's an erosion nightmare, since the DOT simply tosses some seed out at the end of the day, with minimal success in re-growing the grass. Let those employees work on other projects that ARE needed, such as reconstruction of roads, culvert replacement, etc.
From: A concerned and frustrated taxpayer
I own my own excavation business in Lincoln county,, for years I’ve said if I ran my business like dot runs theirs I’d be broke, men standing in bunches looking at a beaver plugged culvert,, come on,, I know I could save you millions just in dot,, go back to sand and salt on the roads,, stop men from riding up Rt 1 on bare tar with plows down,, wearing out expensive cutting edges for nothing and think of the fuel at 3 dollars a gallon,, they go out winging back roads for hrs after 3 inches of snow,, and all the ways jobs are done, i could cut your fuel bill and cutting edge bill in half in the winter,, and all that expensive calcium stuff,, all its doing is killing trees,, ruining everyones vehicle and ruining roads,, and then the dot guy that wants to paint all the trucks blue so to blend in at a cost of like a million and a half,, geeez,, these are just some of the things,, theres lots more,, but I’m willing to bet you could cut 10 million off the budget just in dot,, thanks for listening!
From: William Dion; 561 east pond road ,, Nobleboro, 04555; williamdion@yahoo.com; 592 7273
As a former DOT employee I would suggest that the Dept. of Transportation but specifically the Bureau of Hway Maint. follow their own policies for storm callouts and overtime .Internal policies require partial crews during off hours to reduce overtime and to reserve fresh employees for protracted storms. During my 18 year tenure with the Dept.this policy was always ignored as it was simpler to call in the entire crew rather than to equalize overtime as required by union contract.
From: Walter Wieczorek; waltwieczorek@fairpoint.net
For our public infrastructure of roads and bridges identify the required amount of maintenance, resurfacing, etc. of all our infrastructure over a long period of time (perhaps 40 years). For any new contracts entered into for road repairs and extensions require that the contractor include in the bid the cost to maintain the road for the next 10 years according to the already published infrastructure maintenance plan. This will give contractors the option to improve the initial engineering and quality of the work up front; thus minimizing traffic delays due to repairs. It will also save the government money in the long term by enabling them to bond out the long-term costs of the roads. All of these costs should be 100% funded by taxes on the users of the road; according to a combination of gas consumption and vehicle weight.
Stop mowing the sides of the interstate every 2 weeks. Mow just once in the fall each year. The I-95 bridge in Fairfield is under repair each year. Let's go back and make the contractor who did the rebuild a few years ago responsible. Let's lower the weight limit for trucks on all state highways to 80,000 lbs. These trucks are tearing the roads apart.
From: PStapl@att.net
Stop allowing untrained employees to chart the course of DOT, The lean process that the upper management (Top5) of DOT is promoting and forcing has already cost taxpayers in excess of $700K (out front and hidden costs)in building changes at fleet services alone. And the cost is rising.
Extend Maine Turnpike tolls northward to reduce DOT budget.
From: Richard Roedner; 56 Wildwood Drive; rroedner@maine.rr.com; 286-1281
Put teeth in programs to restrict state spending to Towns that have certified Comp Plans, including DOT spending. It is time we stop using DOT funds to encourage sprawling development, which leads to higher costs, i.e. E/W highway, Gorham by-pass. If people want to drive further and further to work, let them, but don't make it easy by building them new roads.
From: Richard Roedner; 56 Wildwood Drive; rroedner@maine.rr.com; 286-1281
Get rid of the Maine Turnpike Authority - have DOT take it over.
Combine departments and agencies: Department of Transportation and the Maine Turnpike Authority - why in heaven's name do we need both bureaucracies???
Get rid of the Maine Turnpike Authority! 500 employees, an expensive new building in Portland, and all for 100 miles of highway! Have DOT take over the maintenance of that 100 miles.
Outsource to private enterprise, all the road construction and repair.
From: William Van Tassel; 224 County Road, Turner, Maine 04282; vandb@megalink.net; 225-2738
I travel from North Yarmouth to Route 100 in New Gloucester frequently on Rt. 231 and could not help but noticing that this road has been tagged (Painted road markings) for upcoming road improvements. Culverts are clearly marked for replacement or cleaning. In some cases new culverts are apparently being put in. The question I have is why does it take so much compartmentalization to upgrade a road. Are the road crews so stupid that they have to be told just what to do and nothing more? Does someone have to survey the culverts to determine which ones need cleaning or replacement? I would think that one quick look would indicate if a culvert was plugged. Why the extra work and man hours. Isn't this needless duplication or just typical make work for various state DOT personal. And why when all the utilities are above ground does it require DigSafe to survey and mark road repair. Waste pure and simple! Typical of state government!
Maine Turnpike Authority. The MTA does not have an appropriate number of EZPASS toll booths available. A dedicated booth saves more money than a booth which has both EZPASS and tolls. Stop paying the overtime to you unions and start providing more EZPASS booths.
From: Calvin L. Wilson; cwilso4@adelphia.net; 508-224-2556
I have noticed this summer the road crews who are scraping the sides of the road around the state. On my road there have been 12-14 people on each crew. In the morning they all stand around and wait for the trucks then around 9 AM they stop for a break and another break at noon and in the afternoon. I have observed people standing drinking coffee, and smoking cigarettes just watching. This is such a waste of our tax dollars. It does not take 12 people to do this work. This is a very inefficient use of people.
Turnpike Authority overseen by committee made up of transportation officials from cities and counties it serves directly.
From: Tom Greene; 1 Mallett Drive, Topsham, ME 04086; tgreene_msp@msn.com

Miscellaneous

I have heard over and over again that the county system needs overhauling. I am not familiar with the details but think it is worth looking into.
From: E. Joanne Whitehead, Executive Director of Islesboro Affordable Property; 832 Main Road, Islesboro, ME 04848; theabbey@midcoast.com; 734-2033
I was recently made aware of the Michigan State Prison System working with Habitat for Humanity in building houses for the very low, low and moderate income families. I have been looking into ways of supplying panel type construction for our Islands Affordable Housing Crisis. I have been looking into our Midcoast Technical School as a possibility for sheds but got very excited about the prison system as a means of providing panel construction for Affordable Housing. This would be a win/win situation - helping defray the cost of our prison system and providing housing for the very low, low and moderate income residents of Maine.
From: E. Joanne Whitehead, Executive Director of Islesboro Affordable Property; 832 Main Road, Islesboro, ME 04848; theabbey@midcoast.com; 734-2033
I have spoken in front of the Taxation Committee on behalf of a 1% tax on properties being sold in excess of $500,000 and the monies going directly to Affordable Housing.
From: E. Joanne Whitehead, Executive Director of Islesboro Affordable Property; 832 Main Road, Islesboro, ME 04848; theabbey@midcoast.com; 734-2033
I believe we need more partnering between the private sector and the state and local governments. This is a way to work together toward a common goal using the expertise of all involved to meet the needs of the people. From: E. Joanne Whitehead, Executive Director of Islesboro Affordable Property; 832 Main Road, Islesboro, ME 04848; theabbey@midcoast.com; 734-2033
Local option sales tax. It would give communities the ability to raise much needed fund to take care of their community, and reduce the burden on the state to return funds to those communities.
The state could save money by making all state paid projects completed by Maine businesses, as that money would stay in Maine. The unions in Maine have seen there day and now hinder the ability for many people to make a living in Maine. The state could also lower the tax burden on the citizens as well as fees paid to the state, this has been shown to increase revenue into the state. There seems to be a direct attack on tourists and their money but if that approach is not changed they will find other places to go. The recreational businesses in Maine need the help of the state to attract more tourists here. I am not opposed to the state spending money it just needs to allow the citizens to keep, and therefore spend, more of their income in the state. As a smoker, I am also disturbed that we, smokers, are burdened with unfair and burdensome taxes on a legal substance. I have heard that the state sold its rights to the alcohol industry so that the taxes can not be placed on it. Thank you for your time.
From: John Steele; Carthage, Me.; 272-8012
Have a procedural audit completed on my department, DECD, as I am 100% you will find a lot of wasteful spending in a variety of areas. Needless to say, since it appears our Commissioner (John Richardson) is positioning himself for a run to become our next Governor, I am disgusted by the amount of daily waste he allows within DECD. In order to help address these fiscal problems, I am willing to provide assistance in a procedural audit. Complete a detailed review of all telephone bills (regular office lines and all mobile accounts). This is another area at DECD which I know is abused every single work day, especially by certain members of the staff. Include a detailed review of everyone's Internet browser, and you're certain to discover an excessive amount of time by certain staff is being spent on various game and shopping websites. Take a close look at everyone's computer log-in records, and you'll find numerous DECD staff who rarely arrive before 9:30am. In addition, these same staff are usually headed out the door by 3:00pm and have no detailed accountability for why. Plus, let's not overlook the staff whom take smoke breaks every hour, and then also spend excessive amounts of time every day talking loudly in the aisles about everything but work. What ever happened to the old "honest day" of work? It certainly isn't happening at DECD! For example, the recent "CDBG Appreciation Day and 25th Anniversary Gala" definitely deserves an audit by OPEGA, and I have sent a request to Ms. Ashcroft for just that. This party was held on 17 August 2007 at the Augusta Lodge B.P.O.E. Number 964. Our state and federal tax dollars should not be used for a "party", no matter what the celebration is for. This is especially true, since their "party" also served as a major campaign opportunity for the democrats of Maine. If completed, a procedural audit will prove this fact. In light our major fiscal problems within State Government, in reality, all Departments should be reviewed by a procedural audit. If completed, these procedural audits will also uncover another significant and wasteful problem - the numerous appointments of unqualified leadership personnel. This is certainly the case within DECD, and I've heard it has also happened on countless other occasions.
From: Mark Turek; 306 Water Street, Randolph Maine 04346; mark.turek@verizon.net;
582-5481
Next; for the past 2+ years, all of the fancy landscape and parking lot work at the State House complex is both a complete misuse of tax dollars and a poorly managed project. Although it will certainly look nice when it's all done, in light of our countless dangerous roads and bridges, this allocation was another poor decision in Augusta.
From: Mark Turek; 306 Water Street, Randolph Maine 04346; mark.turek@verizon.net;
582-5481
State resources should no longer be allowed to promote various pet political projects like anti-TABOR and anti-WalMart. Once again, if a procedural audit is completed, these facts will be exposed and help reduce this inappropriate and wasteful use of our tax dollars and state resources.
From: Mark Turek; 306 Water Street, Randolph Maine 04346; mark.turek@verizon.net;
582-5481
In light of the inappropriate partnership between the Baldacci Administration and the Maine State Employees Association (MSEA-SEIU Local 1989), a procedural audit on DAFS is certain to reveal some very informative (and embarrassing) details about their past misconduct together. Their actions have harmed countless state employees over the past four (4) years, and it's time they are all held accountable for their wasteful and inappropriate actions.
From: Mark Turek; 306 Water Street, Randolph Maine 04346; mark.turek@verizon.net;
582-5481
Excessive and wasteful dollars, poor project management, and little/no accountability are all problems with some of the recent recreation path projects being developed around the state. If we don't fix our roads and bridges, not to mention the major healthcare problems in Maine, who's going to be here to use those bike paths?
From: Mark Turek; 306 Water Street, Randolph Maine 04346; mark.turek@verizon.net;
582-5481
Give tickets to people who are talking on cell phones. This will increase revenue as well as public safety. (Input taken by phone)
From: Jan Benson; 465-9559
The State of Maine should develop and embrace video conferencing. The state has the buildings across the state, especially if the University system is used. If employees and state board members could drive to a center close to them to hold meetings rather than hours to a central location like Augusta, a tremendous amount of travel expense would be saved, and the meeting attendees would not be spending hours traveling to central locations and there would be time and/or salary savings. If the staff support existed, the system could be rented out when the state is not using it. With the cost of gas and travel going up, this type of system would save more and more money over time.
From: Deborah Palman; PO Box 57, Aurora; dpalman1@rivah.net
Get free land at BNS. It's a deep water port, and build an OIL refinery. This would employ many Mainers. The U.S. hasn't built one in thirty years. Here's our chance to do something profitable...Forget about the NIMBY's...
Consolidate county jail systems...there must be some economies-of-scale savings possible there...reduced personnel, boarding & travel costs, infrastructure, etc. If the above is not possible then fix the pre-trial and bail systems...schedule more court time at county seats...add judges if you must...add ADAs...stop using county jails as hotels
Close the loopholes on unfunded mandates to local governments...if the state no longer wants to or can afford to do a "job" do not push it off onto local governments thinking they can fund the "job"...If the income tax payers can not fund a program then do not force the property tax payers to do it!
One idea already submitted directly to Gov Baldacci but seemingly never acted on except a thank you card for the suggestion on an elegant little card. Why is there not a similar site as this for citizens to submit individual examples they have observed of waste and where the appropriate department reps can defend or explain their positions on why the event occurred. For example my submission to the Gov at that time was about 4 years ago. We saw a tree (in open easy-access area) removal by the DOT where 18 (been a while so the numbers may not be accurate but they ARE close---maybe the correspondence is still filed at that department????) people and 5 vehicles were on site. Two hours later when I passed the site again, the job was still happening. My email was passed to the division DOT and his reply was that there were actually only 13 people employed on that job!!!!! 13!!!! I just last week had a very precarious tree removed by two young guys for I am confident to say MUCH MUCH less than the People of Maine paid for that tree several years ago. If the reps had to respond in public forum, maybe there would be more responsibility. What do you think? Maybe even farm out most of these types projects to private bids. I would like to know what your committee thinks about this.
From: dale farrar; 12atoz@verizon.net
Increase the scope of the REA program. The program is designed to get those off of unemployment insurance and back to work faster. It has gained national attention by other state's Department of Labor. Right now it is working at a fraction of its capacity, and still saving the state at least a million dollars a year. To learn more, contact the Maine Department of Labor. This has serious potential. Not only will it cost less to keep workers on unemployment, but the faster they go back to work, the faster they will be generating more tax revenue (not to mention the money they will put back into the economy that will stimulate further gains).
From: Jason Bird; jason.bird@umit.maine.edu ; 399-7803
Another solution, which I think is already being realized, is by dividing out duties of retiring state employees to current employees. Of course replacing employees will be needed in a lot of cases. While this will make their work load heavier, it is the essence of streamlining.
From: Jason Bird; jason.bird@umit.maine.edu ; 399-7803
How about contracting plowing out a bit more? I believe Rte 192 in Washington county is contracted, best plowed roads I have ever seen!
From: Jay Feyler; 11 N Union Rd. Union , ME 04862; jfeyler@aol.com; 785-4758
You need to spend money to save money, so let’s start by hiring one or two people to oversee the spending in all departments. Or go hog wild and hire someone to oversee every department, give them 6-12 months to come up with suggestions and then let the savings accumulate!
From: Jay Feyler; 11 N Union Rd. Union, ME 04862; jfeyler@aol.com; 785-4758
Stop wasting money with help wanted advertising in newspapers. Online ads are much more cost effective.
State government at all levels is too large and too costly. The executive branch is out of control with spending, contrary to what we read in the news. Way too many high paying jobs that are not needed. Growth of state government is out of control. Taxes (all) in this state are out of control. Bottom line: Cut government numbers and programs and reduce spending. Suggestion box is a good idea, if ideas are implemented.
From: Louis Sutherland; Sorrento, Me
I really am disappointed that some things the state had control over went to a private enterprise out of state no less, maybe keeping it here would have kept a steady flow of revenue.
From: Marlene McGinley; 187 Main St Mattawamkeag; molly23@fairpoint.net
Every time a new Commissioner or department head is hired the state prints out fancy new letterhead with the new person's name prominently featured. This is nothing more than an ego boost which costs the state huge printing bills, not to mention the wasted money on the old letterhead which is then discarded. This practice should stop. Only the Department should be listed on letterhead and not the new person's names and titles. Such superfluous egotistical actions should stop.
From: John McLaughlin; 1286 High Street; neopatriot@aol.com; 215-7078
This is more of a revenue generating suggestion. If you own property in the State of Maine and Maine is not your primary residence you will pay a additional surcharge. Perhaps 10% of your property tax bill, which would go into the general fund. There's more to running a state than local government. Time to share the burden with year round residents who don't play the residency scam.
Many state agencies currently accept payments by credit card. The cost of accepting credit cards can be significantly reduced by exploring new credit card interchange rates. Additionally, payers can be encouraged to pay by ACH (Automatic Clearing House) rather than using credit cards.
From: Robert Sprague; 65 Stevens Hill Road; Nottingham, NH; robsprague@yahoo.com; 603-679-2501
I have long felt that one way to help keep a handle on future expenditures and thus help keep the intermediate to long term cost of government at reasonable levels of increases was to require any legislator to submit, as part of a new proposed bill, the estimated costs of enforcement(costs directly paid by the State). Then the bill, if it passes the House and Senate and is signed into law by the Governor should be reviewed either annually or biennially to determine how the true enforcement costs compared with the estimated costs. If the enforcement costs far outweigh the benefits to the people of the State, either we have to find a more efficient method of implementation or "sunset" the bill in favor of a rewritten version which would accomplish the same goals.
From: Alan Gerace; P.O. Box 135; geracea@midmaine.com ; 369-6070
I feel you can stop the translation of the drivers’ manuals. What a waste. According to the article in the Kennebec Journal there isn't very much of a call anyways. Stop it now before it starts. Remember every little bit helps. Besides all Maine citizens should know English.
From: Jerry S; Winthrop Taxpayer
Maine MUST become more business friendly so as to attract more Corporations. We are way behind in that area. We can start by offering MORE INCENTIVES. That means, don't scare off potential employers with heavy taxes. The payoff will come from more people working and less dependence on social services as well as making Maine an affordable place to live.
From: Ronald Saindon; Lisbon Falls; karron@earthlink.net
Let's get some one with guts in the Blaine House to make tough decisions about what to cut. I'd give anything to be able to sit down with him for 30 minutes just to tell him what it's like to try and run a business in this state and stay afloat.
From: John Call
Let’s stop being the lowest in the country as far as being business friendly. Read http://www.allianceformaine.org/alert.asp?g=maine
From: John Call
How about helping us get into newer vehicles by not screwing us by charging us sales tax on the discount price we don't pay for when we by a new car. How about a flat $50.00 registration fee, instead of gouging us with the highest excise taxes in the nation. What incentive is there for us to by newer, cleaner running, fuel efficient vehicles?
From: John Call
As a child, I can remember my grandfather explaining to me that when he and 5 of his brothers emigrated to America in the early 1900's, from Russia, they realized the only way to learn English was to stick to their decision that, outside their Brooklyn, NY apartment they spoke only English and on the other side of the apartment door, Russian was spoken. This time and place is no different than then. Why is the Secretary of State, Mr. Dunlap, going through an RFP and the subsequent use of state funds, our funds, to produce Drivers' Manuals in Spanish and French? In today's KJ he is quoted as saying in 3 years NO ONE has asked for a French version and SPARATIC inquiries for Spanish. To accommodate the public, one teaches English one does NOT produce costly manuals, that have a shelf life, only to be reprinted!
From: Sylvia Hudson; 375 Riverside Drive; leftmom@gwi.net; 626-3389
STOP SPENDING.
Be more truthful in the Financial Impact Statements accompanying proposed legislation, particularly in education. Add FIS requirements to all proposed state regulations. There is considerable dishonestly involved in FIS statements when party leadership wants a bill enacted.
DAFS should create on-line fill-in forms that can be used by all state agencies for common state activities such as travel, purchasing, HR forms etc. Currently all departments have to create their own forms; this is extremely redundant and a waste of state employees' time.
Some state agencies no longer receive U.S. mail service. This free service has been replaced with new P.O. boxes in Augusta and a paid courier service delivers the same mail to other cities throughout the State. Agency mail is received one to two weeks later as a result of double-handling. Eliminate the courier service expense and utilize the free U.S. mail service.
1st a straight 2-3% across the board cut in every dept. That is how we do it in the private sector. Then each dept can be mandated to cut more based on government priorities.
2nd I suggest a urine drug screen for every legislator, every state employee and anyone who receives state assistance of any kind. It is unfair to the working tax payer that has to take a drug screen just to get a job or even a promotion that those that receive "free tax money" from the state are not required to be drug tested. I work for my money, I should not be subjected to such an obvious violation of my privacy without due cause. So if everyone had to play by these rules, then maybe there would be less incentive to live off the system.
From: T.Barnes; rocketman@suscom-maine.net; 751-8458
I am from Waldo County and I think the budget is out of control. I think we should do away with county government. Jails could be consolidated and run by the state. Do away with the Sheriff's Dept. and if just half the money the local towns have to pay into the county budget went to hire state police officers the state would be better.
From: Terry Sawyer; tsawyer@panax.com; 338-4436
Why does this state fight new business coming in? Good paying jobs are hard to find. Then you have places like Belfast that wants to keep it a retirement community. This state needs to get away from giving charity out and get the taxes down and new companies coming in.
From: Terry Sawyer; tsawyer@panax.com; 338-4436
The State Lottery system should be addressed since in the past couple of years Maine has entered in to multi-state Powerball game. That increased revenues substantially to the state. Where has that additional money gone? As far as I know the original contract remains in place to govern the State Lottery. I want to know how much additional funds are in the state coffers due to Powerball coming to the State. I think the lottery can provide the state with a list of those funds.
From: Richard Atstupenas; 63 Medford Road; reconrick@hotmail.com; 540 5363
MY IDEA IS VERY BRIEF AND SIMPLE, HAVE ALL STATE EMPLOYEES WORK FOUR TEN HOUR DAYS AND THIS WILL SAVE EVERYONE MONEY IN THE LONG RUN. WE WOULD CLOSE OFFICES FOR A DAY, SAVE ON RENTAL COSTS OF BUILDINGS, SAVE ENERGY, SAVE ON THE ENVIRONMENT, AND SAVE STATE EMPLOYEES ON CHILDCARE. I THINK THIS WOULD SAVE ON MANY MANY MANY EXPENSES ALL THE WAY AROUND.
Review the kind of funding that is going to the guardians of mentally disabled adults who are residing with their families. I know of one family that was planning to use their funds to add an addition on to their house.
Do an across the board cut in all departments.
Reward every state employee who makes suggestions for savings in their department. Give bonuses to the department heads whose departments make the most savings adjustments.
Eliminate all overtime pay with the exception of a critical situation.
Look at outsourcing services.
The state shouldn't be competing with small Maine Businesses. A case in point is the Center for Real Estate Education at the University of Southern Maine. There is an adequate number of small real estate training businesses in Maine (I own one of them.). Why should I have to compete with something that is funded with my tax dollars?? USM is not using USM employees to provide the education; they hire independent contractors who are often times the exact same people who work for my business. There is a duplication of effort, all at taxpayer expense. Thank you for asking for input.
Cut off the immediate risk Maine faces by ongoing misuse of Medicaid "Rehabilitation Services Option" in our mental health system. The following links provide some useful information on the impending crisis we will face in Maine unless action is taken now to correct our policies and redefine which professions are eligible to authorize and provide psychiatric rehabilitation services.
http://www.kff.org/medicaid/7682.cfm
http://oig.hhs.gov/oas/reports/region5/50500057.htm
http://oig.hhs.gov/oas/reports/region5/50500055.htm
As a psychiatric rehabilitation professional I would also suggest attention to this may help redress our nearly two decades old class action lawsuit "AMHI Consent Decree" by finally establishing a recognizable community system of care based on rehabilitation and recovery from severe and persistent mental illness.
From: John L. Painter, MS CPRP; 765 College Street, Lewiston, ME 04240; paintervecsey@roadrunner.com; 777-7482
I have had a meeting with our governor about two years ago and mentioned to him about the Fuel Assistance Program for the state. Revamp the system and set strict guidelines for assistance. Did you know that people living in multi-unit apartment houses in the city of Portland are receiving checks totaling about 380.00 for fuel assistance? Here’s a clue," They don’t pay for fuel!" I know personally of three people receiving such checks, they don’t even have to turn them over to the landlords. Talk about a waste!!!!!!!!!!. Most people on the Welfare system are receiving such checks. THEY DONT PAY FOR FUEL. Although the governor told me he would look into it I don’t think it should take all this time to figure it out.
From: Frank Teras; 40 Deering Ave. Portland, Maine 04101; fteras@maine.rr.com;
772-0299
Budget increases should be put out to citizen vote!
Eliminate purchasing land for Maine's future. In fact sell some of the land off.
From: Tim McClure; 8 Autumn St, Lisbon Falls; tumcclure@roadrunner.com
Eliminate corporate welfare.
From: Tim McClure; 8 Autumn St, Lisbon Falls; tumcclure@roadrunner.com
Stop paying employees to go away when management makes serious mistakes. Example: Maine Turnpike. We always hear about accountability but I guess it doesn't start at the top.
A complete audit of all state agencies, particularly DHHS. All agencies should demonstrate cost effectiveness.
From: Anne Graham; 97 Farms Edge Rd, North Yarmouth, Maine 04097; apg1@maine.rr.com
All state employees and legislators should become members of Dirigo. A greater pool will reduce costs.
From: Anne Graham; 97 Farms Edge Rd, North Yarmouth, Maine 04097; apg1@maine.rr.com
Mandate that each new piece of legislation absolutely require funding for the program.
Make all of the State employees, all of the legislators and all people in the state Retirement program change to medical coverage under Dirigo. If it's good enough for State citizens it should be good enough for them
Cut the salaries of every Dept head by 10 %.
Make motor vehicle registrations good for two years instead of one. This is already available for trailers. Why wouldn't it work for cars, trucks, motorcycles, atvs, snowmobiles and boats?
From: David Rossi; Rangeley Plantation
Eliminate county governments. Almost everything they do is a duplication of state or local governments.
From: David Rossi; Rangeley Plantation
Eliminate the Clean Election Fund. It is nothing more than welfare for politicians.
From: David Rossi; Rangeley Plantation
Make unemployment checks monthly instead of weekly. Stop giving extra unemployment benefits to people with kids. Their pay when they were working didn't give extra money for dependants. And make it more difficult for people to collect by making them take any job that is out there.
How much money has the PUC spent and continues to spend) in media to develop and promote its "10,000 Carbon Free Homes" program. There is a stated goal of signing up 10,000 “carbon free” homes between May 1, 2007 and May 1, 2008. So far they have attracted 192 Maine households. So, 1/3 of the way into the campaign, they are at .019 percent of their goal. There are at least three differences between government and the private sector on display here: (1) The private sector knows when something isn't working and moves to cut its losses, (2) someone is help accountable for pr disasters like this, and (3) the private sector has some capacity for embarrassment.
On the Casino issue, why not allow a Casino in Washington County?? We are loosing jobs at an alarming rate, and the people in this county do want to work (most of them). The funds from the Racino in Bangor seem to be helping the city of Bangor and the State with the money they pay in.
From: Florence Wood; East Machias; woodf_40@yahoo.com
As a life long resident of Washington County, the Other State of Maine, I have watched the drug and alcohol related crimes rise at alarming rates. It seems that when these offenders are brought before the judicial system, the fines and penalties are so small that it is a joke. Why not increase the fines on, especially the drug dealers, this would help supplement the State Police budget. I truly feel sorry for the officers that bust their backs to arrest the drug dealers, and the perp is back on the streets before the Police have the paper work processed, then when the perp goes to court, he/she pays less of a fine for selling drugs, then a person does for having a dog running at large. This type of justice is a joke, let’s crack down on the drugs in this State, hit them with higher fines, and let them know we will not tolerate drug dealers ruining our citizens.
From: Florence Wood; East Machias; woodf_40@yahoo.com
I do not feel that most people mind paying a little extra in taxes, if we have something to show for it. We need more Police, Health Insurance for all of our Citizens, and less taxes on the businesses that are trying to come to Maine. Maine does not encourage new business by taxing them so heavily, we could be generating more jobs, which will help cut other budgets.
From: Florence Wood; East Machias; woodf_40@yahoo.com
Take a long hard look at the department of conservation, in one area in Katahdin area there are camps that are used as summer camps. when I asked who pays, the answer was we let the pencil counter worry about that, they use state trucks, saws, gas to cut there fire wood, for home, in one area there are 6 cabins in a 10 mile area mostly used as weekend getaways, when I question Bill Williams on this he answered we cut them some slack, and then became defensive, please look hard at this department the waste is incredible. this is how it works a family goes camping, park ranger collects fees, forest ranger checks to make sure camps fire are ok, then game warden comes along to make sure there are not fishing without a license, park managers are paid year round for a part time camping area, in winter months built a new house with new tools from his surplus state budget, please look hard how the money is spent, everyone covers up for some one else. from top down.

A study should be undertaken to eliminate licensing, etc. that costs more to administer and regulate than is supported by the fees collected (and I do not suggest raising fees to cover the cost).
From: Walter Wieczorek; waltwieczorek@fairpoint.net
I like Dunlap's idea of eliminating state expenditure for primaries. Let the major parties pay for them or share the cost with the state.
From: Walter Wieczorek; waltwieczorek@fairpoint.net
Privatize everything so accountability isn't an issue. For whatever reason, public positions are not held accountable - I use DHHS as a primary example of incompetence and no accountability.
From: Over taxed, over regulated, taxpayer; North Yarmouth Maine
Buy all supplies for all offices from the same vendor. Get a substantial discount for volume purchases, if this is not already being done.
From: Michele Woodbury; 13 Oak Street, Trenton, ME 04605; mcwoodbury@adelphia.net ; 667-5675
GET STATE AGENCIES OUT OF LEASED SPACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! STOP SELLING STATE OWNED BLDGS AND PUTTING STATE EMPLOYES IN LEASED SPACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!BUILD MORE STATE BLDS IF REQUIRED AND WORK WITH THE CITY, IS LEW OF TAXES HAVE USERS FEES!!! THE STATE IS MAKING A FEW PEOPLE VERY VERY RICH!!!!!!!!!!! LET’S RUN THE STATE MORE LIKE A BUSINESS NOT LIKE A WELLFARE PROGRAM!!
From: CARL LAFRANCE; CARL.LAFRANCE@MAINE.GOV; 287-2922
Co-locate similar state agencies in various parts of the state to reduce leases and save money on voice and data charges.
Eliminate the Maine Arts Commission. Over the past 20 years they have provided little meaningful support for the arts, particularly the performing arts, in Maine. They organize endless meetings and conferences , promote the latest round of buzz words, and draw handsome salaries but there seems to be little or no direct benefit to Maine artists. "Cultural Tourism" is a case in point. Everybody in government was trumpeting the vast potential of this concept a while ago. And it does work. We have people calling us every winter from several states to plan their summer vacations around a concert series which we have produced for the last nine years. We had people from six states and Canada come to a theatrical production which we wrote and more people asking for another run - all without the benefit of the arts commission. While it would be helpful to have some financial support from the state for these kinds of ventures, we have made it work without that support as have other successful artists. If you are serious about trimming fat from the budget take a close look at the arts commission.
From: Fred Gosbee; 428 Upper Round Pond Road, Bristol, 04539, US
Publish the entire state budget online complete with all line items. I'm sure if ALL budget numbers were publicly exposed and available, plenty of "hidden" money would be brought to light.
From: Joe Marshall; 6 Mount Hope Ave; maine@del-stardotstar.com
To take some burden off the tax payers of this state, let’s look at eliminating tax exemptions from churches, hospitals, colleges and universities. They buy up all the properties in communities, stressing services and paying no property taxes.
Add sales tax to vending machines. Why should someone have to pay sales tax in a store, but not at a vending machine for the same items?

I support a "zero based budget". I believe that it is important to justify the expenditures of our government annually. We should not be funding programs just because we always have. An example may be the Mainecare/medicaid program. Though I do believe that it is a social responsibility to provide medical care for our low-income and disabled, I would like to see it provided in a manner which is equitable to the standard health insurance provided by employers etc. in the state. There certainly should be some sort of investment by the individuals to ensure their proper involvement. I also see that welfare has become a career for many able-bodies persons who actually calculate how much more benefits they will receive when they have their baby at our expense. We need to run our State Government like a business. If some mismanages millions of dollars they should be held strictly accountable. If that where to happen in the private sector it would be a very different story than it has been in the government as of late. You have to remember that you are not "asking" the citizens of Maine to "volunteer" taxes to run the government. You are "demanding" taxes from the citizens under the threat of taking their homes from them and putting them imprisoning them if they don't comply. The very least that you can do, in fact, the absolute responsibility that you have, is to ensure that "EVERY PENNY" is spent on what it was intended. If I give my daughter five dollars to go to the store for a gallon of milk, I do not expect her to stay at the store until the entire five dollars is gone. When I pay taxes I am paying them because a budget has been made and my share has been carefully determined. Despite what anyone says, THERE SHOULD BE NO EXTRA MONEY IN THE BUDGET! DO NOT SPEND MONEY THAT IS NOT PROPERLY BUDGETED! Moneys left over after the budget period should be returned to the taxpayer.
From: T. Woodman; tomwoodmanrn@gmail.com
I believe you would save the taxpayers money with eliminating "Special Elections" in the summer when there is such a low voter turnout, but it still costs each municipality the same cost as a regular election.
Practice YARDSCAPING. Reduce and/or eliminate lawn maintenance on state-owned properties by promoting natural groundcovers. Savings in water, fuel, fertilizer, employee hours, equipment, electricity and better for the environment.
From: Teague Morris
Reduce the layers of duplication in law enforcement to the small towns. Towns who have their own police departments pay a hefty price. State police will not enforce complaints in these towns, county sheriffs are busy patrolling towns without and cities. Give the authority to the state police and stop the duplication.
From: Ollie Emery; 71 Clifford Street Mechanic Falls Maine; XxWrenxX@aol.com
I am regularly amazed by the amount of advertising that is sponsored by various state agencies. Whether it is the DOT telling me to slow down in construction zones, H&HS talking about how tobacco companies are still out to get me, the state police saying we should watch out for motorcycles, or the department of agriculture opining that we should buy local, it seems state government must be one of the larger advertisers, especially on TV. I'm sure the total costs are rather hidden, being spread among numerous agencies, but the number in total must be huge. While each of these campaigns has individual merits, this just doesn't seem to be appropriate spending given our need to reduce the cost of government. I, for one, would prefer not to have my tax dollars spent this way.
From: Paul Fritzson; 33 Cunningham Rd, Freeport, ME 04032
As a state employee I agree to 100's of the ideas that have already been posted, and obviously some I do not agree with. Previously in my old position it was my responsibility to order office supplies for our Dept. As a single working mom of two, one of which in college and owing my own college bills, I work hard at cutting costs and saving money. Reuse, recycle, use coupons, shop at Goodwill, yard sales and etc. I applied this philosophy at work also. However, there has ALWAYS been a situation that has made my blood pressure rise. Why do we have Central Warehouse? I could order items through Boise Cascade, now Office Depot at upwards of 64% off the regular price saving at times hundreds of dollars, BUT due to Purchases regulations, I had to go through Central Warehouse first, if they did not have the item then and only then could I order from Boise. There were at times when certain items were restricted, I could NOT order a pencil for regular price of $1.98 (our state price was less than half of this) but I could order as many $9.98 pencils as I wanted. I figure if you add number of employees at Central Warehouse, add in their accumulative benefits, the cost of the trucks used to deliver (they make MANY trips per day throughout Augusta) plus the cost of maintenance and fuel this adds up to quite a lot. Boise has MOST items that we use including paper towels, bath tissue and cleaning supplies. I know that CW gets items at significantly lower prices than what they sell it for, and if each Dept. has to operate on a budget, then shouldn't it be up to that Dept. as to where and from whom they order from??? Another dilly that fries me....I used to deal with Snowman Printing in Hampden, they were GREAT!!, now we must order stamps and etc. from a company in FL??? Snowman would get our orders to us within three days, we now wait upwards of weeks from the outfit in Fl? Retired person (former state employee leaves Maine moves to Fl, sets up business and now gets contract? What about keeping jobs and money in Maine?? It is my strong opinion that Purchases and Central Warehouse needs to be visited and evaluated to deem the legitimacy, efficiency and necessity of having Central Warehouse.
Bring back the State Liquor Stores. The Gov sold $300 million in revenue over 10 years for $110 million. That is $190 million in general fund revenue over 10 years GONE.
I write to offer a idea for budget savings on election spending in Maine. Bill political parties for having Maine State Government hold primary elections for their candidates running for elected offices. If a political party wants the state to hold a primary election for them then the state should consider billing them for it or at least asking them to share in some the costs of holding a primary election. Thank you for considering my suggestion.
Categorize Government services with a range of 1-10. When a budget needs to be cut, all categories with a 10 get eliminated, then 9, 8 , etc. I think this would greatly reduce the need to have committee after committee looking into areas to cut. Every 5 years reevaluate the categories. Again social services are needed but when times get tough they should be the first to be cut. I am tired of hearing the first cuts are state police, wardens, state employees, road repairs (i.e. Bridges) yet Welfare is still in high gear! All social services should come to a grinding halt before mandatory time off is required of any state employee to resolve a budge issue.
Consider eliminating the motor vehicle inspection process, reassign the state police employees to other enforcement positions and eliminate the civilian positions. Less than 1/3 of the states utilize an annual safety inspection. Maine is one of the few that still rely on this outdated process. Very few, if any accidents in Maine are directly caused by mechanical failure, and the incidents are very rare when an inspectable item caused the accident. The amount of money and time spent by the state and it's citizens on this ineffectual process could be spent better elsewhere. Inoperable lamps, broken windshields, etc, are all readily observable by law enforcement. Motor vehicle safety control can be done more effectively by education and enforcement, rather than inspection. The current system is overly complicated is no longer necessary based on the technology advancements in our modern automotive fleet.
From: Chuck Maguire; Orono; chuck.maguire@umit.maine.edu; 581-2797
Many suggestions I have read in the document, (i.e. LWIBs are a duplication of activities, etc.) would actually lead to more administrative levels at the Department of Labor. Rather than streamlining State government it would create the need for a greater number of positions in the Department of Labor. The LWIBs are required by WIA law which emphasizes local control rather than State level control. Where the duplication of administrative services takes place is actually in the Department of Labor. A number of positions duplicate the work that is the purview of the local areas, as prescribed by the WIA law. Examples of the duplication are positions such as the Deputy Director of the Bureau of Employment Services, The Director of the Apprenticeship Program and the Governor's Training Initiative, the Program Coordinator of the Governor's Training Initiative, the Program Manager for the Life Long Learning Program and many others that are simply duplicative of work that is already being done at the local levels. It is altogether normal for State agencies to think of themselves as the ones who will remain standing once the dust settles after the "battle of the fittest", but it's important to remember that the bigger the dog, the more will be required to keep it fed. State government is not streamlined by cutting services at the local levels that do not take money from the State's coffers. It's done by cutting at the State level.
REDUCE THE REGULATIONS ON HEALTH CARE SO WE CAN GET HEALTH CARE BACK IN TO OUR STATE WE CAN AFFORD, FROM INSURANCE COMPANIES THAT HAVE BEEN DRIVEN FROM THIS STATE.
From: ALFRED SNOW
REDUCE GOVERNORS SALARY TO THAT OF THE AVERAGE MAINER.
From: ALFRED SNOW
REDUCE TAXES ON MAINER SO WE CAN AFFORD TO LIVE AND WORK IN THIS STATE. STOP MAKING IT SO DIFFICULT FOR SMALL BUISINESSES TO STAY IN MAINE, GIVE THEM A REASON TO STAY INSTEAD OF TAXING THEM TO DEATH.
From: ALFRED SNOW
It's unfortunate that some of the suggestions sent in are indicative of the cover-up being nurtured involving government spending in Augusta. If a particular item is solely funded through federal dollars, how can that save on the amounts used to support State level expenses? Very simply, it means the State could take the federal dollars that are being used to support local activities and suck it into Augusta to support themselves. This would not really reduce State expenses. It would merely shift it from one line to another. A good example of this is eliminating the LWIBs in the State of Maine. First, the funds used to support the local activities (LWIBs) that are mandated by WIA law does not come out of Maine taxpayers' pockets, but the work done by these local areas goes a long way towards putting funds back into the State by providing the ground level services needed to put people to work. Second, many Bureau of Employment Services positions and activities not only duplicate but triplicate the work that is being done by the LWIBs in the local areas. Eliminating services where they are needed most and do the most good will not benefit Maine taxpayers. The real work does not happen in Augusta.
The purpose for savings is to reduce taxes for Maine residents. I have an idea to reduce our taxes that has been warmly received by dozens of residents with whom I have discussed the plan. Please bear with me. Here in Poland, 80%+ of all lakefront property is owned by non-residents. Coastal properties are also overwhelmingly owned by non-residents. Why doesn't Maine do what many other states do? That is, tax non-residents a higher property tax rate. MANY other states to this very successfully. The very wealthy non-residents who own second properties (0r third) here in Maine can easily afford a higher tax rate on their recreational homes they electively own. We already tax/charge them differently for: fishing licenses, hunting licenses, concealed weapon permits, etc., etc., etc. Furthermore, we don't provide them with LHEAP or property tax rebates. So, it would not be totally unanticipated for the state to charge them a higher property tax on their luxury properties. NO Maine resident would oppose such a plan, that's obvious. NO votes would be lost to those politicians that support such a plan. Quite the opposite, they'd be popular! The increased property taxes realized from this plan would be judiciously distributed to fairly lower the taxes of Maine residents. I haven't spoken to one single person who doesn't heartily endorse this plan. Sure, it requires a change in our constitution, but that certainly could be done. Please think about it.
From: Fred Walther; PO Box 30, West Poland, 04291; fred@dpjobs.com; 998-4880
This does not streamline but would save money. Why not have prison inmates have to pay for the cost of their incarceration as part of their sentence. They are being taken out of society due to their actions so why does society have to pay the cost? Not all could pay but assets could be seized, as is done in drug cases, and used to pay prison costs. Also, use more home confinement with monitors with the prisoner paying the cost of the bracelet and the monitoring. This may require changes to the penal code. Also, why not have the prisoners do meaningful state work, as in roadside cleaning, building and maintenance projects, etc. to earn the money to pay for their stay and at the same time reduce the required number of state workers. (I realize this will never happen as long as the legislature is under the thumb of the municipal unions.)
Start taxing all alcohol sales, especially what is bought and consumed in bars or lounges. Maine has a tough drunk driving law, yet many accidents are still happening in Maine due to alcohol. We tax cigarettes which I call a 'sin tax' so why not alcohol too. After all, smokers don't cause car accidents or act irrationally just from smoking. Maybe, we should charge a tax on lounge cover charges such as strip clubs, dance clubs, sports bars, etc.
From: Dawna Kazregis; Peru; wkazregis@adelphia.net; 562-4595
There are many ways I believe we can control spending and cut the budget without cutting staff or services. Look at uncontrolled spending on the executive level, not at the lower levels. Examples would be spending $20,000 to renovate the Chief Justices chamber, or $5,000 to renovate chambers for Justice Gorman only to have her nominated to the Supreme Court and too now have to spend another $5,000 to do it over for the new Judge. How about the $11,000 being spent on renovating Justice Saufley's old chambers and the estimated $20,000 spent on a clerks conference in Kennebunkport, only attended by the Head Clerks. They had it there rather than at the Judicial Training Center the court purchased for this purpose. Speaking of that, if the court is not going to use the training center on Stone St. in Augusta lets sell it that site could produce a profit of $5-600,000 for the state. Now for consolidation do we really need to have 50 different courthouses? If the state closed courts such as the York District Court how much of a savings would that be? I am sure there are many courthouses that are more convenient than effective.
This state has a lot of laws; some of which are incredibly complicated and require many man hours to track down the offenders - others are very easy to understand. I suggest that we begin an aggressive campaign to enforce the most basic of all traffic laws: speed on the interstate highway. First, the state should ensure that it enforces the speed for all those who hold a public office (yes, I commute 5 days a week from Brunswick to Portland, and every day at least one state / local police car passes me without lights going... and that may be when I'm doing a solid 65). Afterwards, when all of those people understand that 65 = 65, and not 75 or 80 .. notice should be given to all Mainers (perhaps a mailing to every household with a registered vehicle) letting them know that 65=65 and 50=50, etc. and then begin actually enforcing the law with regularity and uniformity. This will give some money to the state coffers initially, and then ultimately reduce the wear and tear on the highways, the number of accidents, and many other benefits beside. A big sign at the Kittery border letting non-residents know that 65=65 would be a help too.
Use a secretary form of government. For instance, have a Secretary of Natural Resources, combine the natural resources departments under the one Secretary, with shared administrative functions, etc. But, maintain the separate agencies as "departments" under the Secretary, each with its own commissioner. Do the same for HHS (making the offices each a department under the Secretary), and the infrastructure agencies. Massachusetts has a similar structure.
Don't allow management to have lunches planned with their meetings. Order out but pay for yourself! If you calculated the amount of costs for meals it is outrageous, whether it is covered by a grant or not. Use the funds for the programs. It is all management and Sr. mgmt attending the meetings and they should be able to afford their own lunches. Often times there is an email sent out to the others that there are leftovers, like they are peasants. The only food purchased should be for employee recognitions, extended hours for emergency work service, and that paid by contract.
From: Tracy Jewell; New Sharon; 778-9476
I would like to see this state get audited. As a taxpayer, I want to know where my money is going. A lot of money flows into this state, but yet, we have one of the poorest populations, but high taxes. Does no one get the picture? Then I can get a better idea of where to save and cut.
Better enforcement of speeding violations to increase revenues.
From: Richard Roedner; 56 Wildwood Drive; rroedner@maine.rr.com; 286-1281
Make sense of the sales tax - increase on tourist dominated sales, such as lodging, increase scope of taxes to include all services and goods (except food).
From: Richard Roedner; 56 Wildwood Drive; rroedner@maine.rr.com; 286-1281
Create a system for local option sales taxes. If a town wants the taxes, then let them deal with it - don't continue to penalize the entire state for those border towns that feel it will put them at a disadvantage.
From: Richard Roedner; 56 Wildwood Drive; rroedner@maine.rr.com; 286-1281
Create incentives for local governments to cooperate.
From: Richard Roedner; 56 Wildwood Drive; rroedner@maine.rr.com; 286-1281
Create a true State Plan that will direct future investments on a State-wide basis, identifying growth/limited-growth/no-growth areas, from the perspective of state investments.
From: Richard Roedner; 56 Wildwood Drive; rroedner@maine.rr.com; 286-1281
Increase funding for business park development in areas of the State that we have determined we want growth, and where that growth can be accommodated through population, local resources, etc. CDBG funds are very useful, but awfully limited.
From: Richard Roedner; 56 Wildwood Drive; rroedner@maine.rr.com; 286-1281
Target the NASB closure as an area for investment to spur economic growth and development - extend the MRZ benefits for outside the gate properties, as well as extend the benefits for inside the gate. This will help stimulate new growth, leading to new revenues and reducing the impact on the region/state from the closure of NASB.
From: Richard Roedner; 56 Wildwood Drive; rroedner@maine.rr.com; 286-1281

Do not change the excise tax program, unless there is the ability for the State to fund additional BTIP money to local governments.
From: Richard Roedner; 56 Wildwood Drive; rroedner@maine.rr.com; 286-1281
This idea will bring in extra money for the state and will GREATLY improve rural highway safety. A law should be passed that NO PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL with a rural route postal box can stop his/her vehicle at the side of the road to pick up mail. He/she MUST pull into a driveway and WALK to a mail box. I have seen several accidents caused by a failure to abide by the about suggestion. Here in Friendship there was recently a near fatal incident. In Sidney I saw this failure to use common sense regarding mail pick-up cause many near accidents and many close calls. The fine for violation should be at least $100 per violation.
From: Ann DeWitt; P.O.Box 332; 354-0031
Combine auto registration and drivers licenses together on birthdays.
From: John Davis; pippinhill@uninet.net
Use mystery shoppers to improve production and PR and terminate folks who cannot appreciate the folks that they serve. Too many for too long in positions that causes them to look down on the folks, who they are there to serve. We all have met some very rude people in these jobs who should not be dealing with the public.
From: John Davis; pippinhill@uninet.net
Use prisoners to do highway functions as they do in other states.
From: John Davis; pippinhill@uninet.net
As you look at patching the budget, has anyone considered raising excise tax on vehicles according to how much gas they consume? Given climate change, pollution from vehicles and the unrest in the Middle East where our oil comes from, could it be a way to raise tax revenue AND encourage conservation? (Not that I think paying more excise taxes for SUV & Hummers would matter to some who drive them, but it could be a message.) thank you.
From: Bonnie Washuk-Zaccaro
You must support the decrease of the excise tax-for the few Maine citizens who actually work instead of living off of the State. It is a small break that is desperately needed and I am certain that we will forgive a few pot holes and cracks. I-95 is re-paved every summer, skip a summer and let us enjoy the summer with a few extra dollars in our pockets. Thank-you.
From: Kathy Stout; 374 Middle Road; KathyNP1@peoplepc.com; 671-7321
Let’s try parole with the prison system where we pay at least 35,000.00 per year for each inmate. Most states now have parole after serving a number of years in prison and it helps over crowding so we don’ have to keep building new prisons which is costly too. If parole doesn’t work out then go back to where we are also prisoners should give to the community by serving to help make MAINE clean by picking up rubbish along the highways. The can help repair roads and do many things to help save the gov. money .Other states use them to get jobs done its worth a try and a lot them want to give back if given the chance its good therapy for the inmates and saves the people money by helping out in communities where it is needed.
From: CALISTA CROSS; CORNISH MAINE
Saving ten million in a 6.3 billion dollar budget is like taking a drop of water out of a full glass, it does not do anything noticeable. This idea is one of those warm and fuzzy kind of ideas that make the politicians feel good by letting their Constituents think they are contributing to the bigger picture. Why not run it like a business and have every dept reduce their budget by a set percent, in this case 0.1587% to reach the required 10 million, heck raise it to 0.2 percent and save 12.6 million. Another thing that can be done is no more automatic increases in the budget because of inflation, this is just not acceptable, the Constituents do not get this automatic inflationary increase in their pay automatically why should the Government. Lastly how much is it costing the Tax Payers for the committee, secretaries, IT personnel, printing staff, reviewers, etc. to go though all these ideas to save money?
From: Robert Newcomb; P O Box 657 Corinth, Maine 04427; prnewcomb@adelphia.net
Set a new standard for mailing checks to community providers and others who receive money from the state. Too many checks go out in too many envelopes for less than the cost of the printing plus the stamp plus the envelope plus the clerical costs. We can save money here by setting some sort of standard for printing and mailing checks - none should go out for less than $25 without approval of the State Treasurer (or something similar).
Close Dorothea Dix Hospital and Levinson Center. These are not fiscally efficient institutions.
Eliminate the oppressive estate tax. This death tax is a very negative factor for owners of small businesses---------------and discourages business owners from moving to Maine.
From: Earl Redman
Develop and implement off site customer service centers by forwarding customer calls to home workers. The technology exists and it should be utilized. Deploy 'work from home' policies and procedures to minimize office lease, workstation, and utility costs.
My family and I use the Sebago Lake State park a lot! Since we used to pay at the gate and we live only 2 miles from the park, we decided to get a seasonal pass with our taxes last year, WOW, great move on our part! We use it probably every weekend. However I have a problem, EVERYONE WHO COMES TO THE FRONT GATE PAYS, BUT ANYONE WHO DRIVES IN BY THEIR BOAT DOESN'T PAY, AND THEY USE THE FACILITIES. WE COUNTED LAST WEEKEND, AND THEIR WERE ATLEAST 60 BOATS ON THE SAND BAR, SEVERAL JET SKI'S, AND EVEYONE OF THEM HAD A MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PEOPLE ON THEM(THE AMOUNT THE BOATS ARE ALLOWED TO HOLD)AND THEY DIDN'T PAY LIKE WE DID AND OTHERS COMMING THROUGH THE FRONT GATE PAID. The amount of people that come in by boats could pay a persons salary for a year! It's just not fair! I suggest either put someone out there and collect money from them, OR put in a buoy system stretched out and around the whole sand bar, and put it out far enough so people don't anchor their boats then move their things to shore for the day, the water is low enough to walk out a couple hundred yards. Please think about the request and if possible let me know the progress....thank you
From: Keith Rickett; 8 Willey Lane Casco Me. 04015; bimslim@maine.rr.com;
939-1691
Reinstate the SNACK TAX at a level that will approach the tobacco tax. This would be a source of State income and help reduce obesity that is a State health problem.
From: John C. Ferriday; 462 Graytown Rd., Sedgwick, ME 04676; j10c28f26@midmaine.com
I have worked for the Federal Government for a total of 24 years. I know that there are more hours wasted planning a job than there is in doing the actual work. For my part, what is needed first is accountability for the labor that is actually charged to the job. That means that every person that works for the tax payer should get a days work for a days pay. Every day that I ever went to work, I made every attempt to give my job 100 and 10 percent and nothing less. That is why I know that it can be done by good hard working personal that want to and love their job. IT is not enough to just show up and expect to get paid. Each and every person that is on the payroll should be evaluated and a log on his or her accomplishments should be recorded each and ever quarter and the first quarter that they don't do their job then someone else should be sitting in their place at the beginning of the following month. That is the way you would run your business if it was a private operation and the tax payer should expect no less.
The secondary roads are real bad and we are not getting enough funding to repair them. My idea is to start registration fee for all bicycles being by everyone over the age of 16. This may be a bad thing at first but think about it. Not only are there are many, many bicycles in the state of Maine but think of all of the bicycles that are being brought into Maine each year that could be registered. It should be just like fishing license. There should be resident bicycle and non resident bicycle license. Twice as much for non resident. We would also qualify for more matching funds for highway funding to build bicycle routs beside roads and more funds for multi use trails. More funding has got to come from somewhere and it isn't fair to ask the Maine people to pay more excise tax or registration fee or raise the gas tax to cover the losses because there are buying more efficient autos. There are more rescues from canoes and kayaks than any other thing on the water by the warden service and the coast guard during the summer. The also have quite a lot of it in the winter to. These people should pay a users tax as well in the form of a registration. This would cover some of the rescue cost for the warden service.
From: Earl L, Alley; POB 267 Southwest Harbor Maine 04679; oldalleycat@verizon.net
Reduce electricity use, by turning off lights on State buildings at night, and unplugging and turning off equipment at night, or when not in use. Recently, there was a news piece about companies in Japan doing this. This would set an example for the citizens of Maine, would reduce the "carbon footprint", save money and reduce light pollution.
From: Colleen; Rome; cjvsrd@hotmail.com
Flat fund ALL departments unless they can PROVE that an increase is warranted, and then tell them there is no money for said increase and to make due with what you have.
From: Mark Morissette
STOP using the DOT funds in the general fund so that they can pave a road around here!!
From: Mark Morissette
STOP BORROWING MONEY, you can not borrow your way out of debt.
From: Mark Morissette
I'm tired of hearing that the County Commissioners don't want to consolidate their jails with the state prison system. I believe the county jails are an antiquated system and need to be consolidated with the prisons. County government is antiquated too.
Please eliminate paying the premium for "Green" electrical power. This is a waste of taxpayer's money and is a windfall to non-utility generators that operate hydro and biomass generating plants. I understand that this may have been a legislative initiative. The non-fossil fuel electrical generators were built or purchased based on market rates, and the owners will do just fine with their investments with out taxpayer handouts. Electricity is a very basic commodity. The department involved is purchasing.
From: Ed Bigney; PO Box 1477, Ellsworth, ME 04605; kissickpoint@verizon.net;
667-2926
State Vehicles Usage After Normal Work Hours (TWENTY EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS YEARLY SAVING)
Use of any state maintained vehicle after normal work hours:
Establish the normal work hours per vehicle. State vehicles should be garaged at shifts end in a municipal parking lot. State vehicle cannot be used after normal shift end, State vehicle must be signed out after end of shift, i.e., use to commute home. This practice should cease. Personal usage includes trip to get lunch, coffee, personal appointments. School bus, fire vehicles, police vehicles, pickup trucks with state emblems should not be operated after work shift ends.
State Vehicle use after normal work hours:
Record mileage daily at end of the work shift; Mileage of vehicle will have established estimated daily usage; Mileage over daily estimated usage without proper documentation will be the operators financial responsibility.
After normal shift hours usage:
Prior approval required; Charge the operator of the state vehicle the Federal reimbursement private vehicle rate per mile $.485
Results of saving per web site: http://www.piercetransit.org/rideshare/costs.htm
EXAMPLE: 1) What is your daily round trip commute distance from home to work (in miles)? 20 i.e., daily home operating state vehicle

2) How many days per month do you normally work? 20

3) How many miles per gallon does your automobile average? 21

4) How much per gallon do you normally pay for gasoline? $2.79 as high as $3.09

5) How much do you pay for monthly parking? if applicable

Your operating cost per mile for gas, oil, maintenance and tires.* .151 this is not including insurance
Savings: Your estimated Monthly cost of is: $229.14; Your estimated Yearly cost of is: $2749.68
One employee’ home travel paid by the state is an extra $0.115 an hour increase in pay for the employee and a yearly $2749.68 cost to the state of Maine to get that employee home.
Maine.gov Total Registrations by County (Calendar year 2001)

Androscoggin 783

Aroostook 1,149

Cumberland 1,964

Franklin 366

Hancock 278

Kennebec 888

Knox 274

Lincoln 228

Oxford 604

Penobscot 1,062

Piscataquis 113

Sagadahoc 312

Somerset 412

Waldo 262

Washington 291

York 1,499

Total 10,485

Municipal registered Vehicle Totals 10,485 x 2749.68 yearly cost
TOTAL SAVING TO STATE = $28,830,394.80
Based on a 20 mile daily round trip home for personal usage.

Using State of Maine statistics TWENTY EIGHT MILLION WILL BE SAVED
From: M/M J Canning; jcanning1@maine.rr.com

I would like to see everyone who receives welfare or is in prison, give something back. People that are in prison could work on state owned land and farm it, providing food for the poor. No violent criminals that have trades could instruct others in there trade. Kids that vandalize could help the poor or elderly by weatherizing homes, painting, mowing lawn. Road crews could also be used to help clean and maintain parks and recreation areas. Everyone should be able to do something. White collar criminals use there skills to help others. Work the criminals and teach them something in the process. No more free rides.
My idea for saving some money is to start with hiring someone from out of the State of Maine and have them go through every dept. in government and get rid of the dead weight and workers doing the same job. Stop hiring buddies of the Governor or people who are unbiased and independent. Look at the Governor's budget with all the assistants or people he has working for him. Check out what their job description is, how much money they make and their title I think everyone would be amazed!
Streamline the state employment application and review process or at the very least automate it. The current paper-based application is tedious and surely it must be labor intensive.
Finally, the state must embark on a campaign to recruit young people to work in state government and you have to keep them. This will mean a serious shake-up of the current workforce and that is long overdue. An employee who has worked in state government for 15, 20 or 30 years is not necessarily an asset simply because of his/her time in service. There is a culture of complacency in state government -- the "good enough for government work" -- attitude that has to change if we are serious about efficient and effective state government.
The jail system is overcrowded. Many farmers and small entrepreneurs could use some help on farms and starting small businesses. Non-violent offenders could be housed or loaned out to farmers and small businesses in order to learn practical skills, see how functional families operate and to help out small businesses. We (for example) are ex- specialized, therapeutic foster parents and know the backgrounds that many non-violent offenders may have experienced. If properly supported by counseling services, oversight services and vocational services, trained small businesses could avail themselves of needed services while providing a more relevant and less expensive rehabilitation environment for offenders. I am rather skeptical whether the state could properly oversee such a process (having seen firsthand many shortcomings in the state foster child program), but it is certainly an idea that with the appropriate planning, design and follow through, could work.
From: Bill Portela; 36 Greeley Rd, Windsor Me 04363; maplelanefarm@adelphia.net; 549-3495
Immediately put a freeze on the financial supplementation of ALL new non-profits organizations seeking 5013C status and state funding. Then over the next four years gradually cut the current funding of non-profits by 25% a year, until all state government funding is withdrawn. The only exception to this would be non-profits that are DIRECTLY involved in preserving the states animals or environment. (for ex. the animal preserve in Gray - not that thing in Falmouth - that's a waste just like the Chewonki Foundation.
From: William Van Tassel; 224 County Road, Turner, Maine 04282; vandb@megalink.net; 225-2738
Cut the excise tax by 50%.
From: William Van Tassel; 224 County Road, Turner, Maine 04282; vandb@megalink.net; 225-2738

Stop wasting so much paper.
From: William Van Tassel; 224 County Road, Turner, Maine 04282; vandb@megalink.net; 225-2738
I know that there are many egos in Augusta but it would seem to me that our adjoining state New Hampshire does an infinitely better job of running its state then we do. Would it be too much to ask that our administration seek help and guidance from those in New Hampshire? I frequent NH quite often and not only are their roads better, their tax structure is better and they have a much better business climate. They have a similar employee work ethic and qualification and run their school on far less money. It would seem logical to me to ask them how they do that.
I work for LCYDC & we have uniforms. I was told it costs the state thousands of dollars a yr, because they not only provide them for us, but they must fix & wash them for free, too. I'm told, a few yrs. ago, the wives of the legislature visited up & couldn't tell, in a few cases, the boys from the staff. This is silly; we was around for Over a 100 yrs, because they were forced on us. Also, we all now wear badges, so no one should be confused. We even have a few days, whereas we don't wear them & somehow, we get by! All the institution has to do, is issue a dress code & let us wear it & wash it ourselves! Also, some of the units (EG Pine), has behavior cards, which costs time, paper & ink; I've asked every staff in Pine & not one, says they use it! It would be junked & replaced with the old system: if a boy does badly, he gets a small slip. If he is not bad, he gets nothing. Believe me, only the teachers (rarely) give positive feed back & again, the staff don't pay attention to it, anyways. Our unit director tries to cancel it, but the Super. made us go back to it! In general, we are using far too much paper work at LCYDC!
Maine State Housing Authority “inspects” apartments but conditions continue. Tenants are afraid of retaliation if they speak up. The Housing Authority inspector tells the landlord to fix something and the next year tell them to fix the same thing as there was no follow up to the first inspection. This whole inspection thing is not working. Determine what Maine State Housing Authority spends to conduct yearly inspections and reallocate ½ of it to establish Tenant Housing Councils. Tenant Housing Councils- made up of at least 80 percent low income housing tenants. The remaining 20 percent could be families/friends of tenants. Members have to be voted in by residents of low income housing in a bi-yearly vote. Employees and family of landlords need to be kept out as a conflict of interest or else people will be afraid of retaliation to speak up. This could be done by counties. The council would need to have the authority to address a specific landlord on behalf of the tenants, without the individual tenants who fear losing their home coming forward. Contract someone (volunteer if possible) to help get the group organized and up running- teach council members legal rights and procedures to address issues regarding building safety, upkeep, repairs not being made, unsatisfactory living conditions. (This will be a TEMPORARY- 12 month position). Afterward the council will run independently. The council is ALL VOLUNTEER. Improving your own, your neighbors and the living conditions of other low income people is your reward. Bring a brown bag and no pay for meetings. This is about saving money while meeting a need, not another arm reaching in the state coffers. Low income buildings could be asked to allow the meetings to be held in their facility on a rotating basis. The group could also establish a web site with chat capacity to hold interim meetings. Agencies like Pine Tree Legal, Maine Disability Rights, KV Cap, State Housing Authority, etc could be asked to donate meeting space i their offices.(Put your money where your mouth is). Many low income people do not have cars so an important use of funds it seems to me would be to reimburse drivers gas mileage for transportation to meetings. Perhaps someone like KV Cap could be contracted too? I am most familiar with Kennebec County, but other interested agencies could be used in other counties. The contract position (only if a qualified volunteer could not be found) would end within 12 months. That would leave transportation and some operating costs: a web site, mailing, copying. Other money could be used for attorney fees to address complaints that were not otherwise resolved. Evaluate the Tenant Housing Council after 2 years. If they prove to be successful, accordingly transfer more monies from the Housing Authority funding to them. I’ve heard numerous complaints that Pine Tree Legal does not return phone calls and does nothing but class action suits as far as housing issues. Perhaps an evaluation and diversion of part of their funding to this council might be a better use of monies as well?
Follow up on fraud.
Reduce the number of counties, for example the District Attorney is responsible for four counties Knox, Waldo, Lincoln, and Sagadahoc counties. All four counties make up District Six. Merge the four counties, and merge the four county jails into one. Each of the 16 counties in Maine has its own 911 center, reduce the number of PSAPS in the state to 4. New Hampshire I believe has ONE 911 Center (PSAP) for the entire state, why does Maine need 16?? County government often times is a duplication of services, and is an out of date form of government that is in need of reform, reducing, and merging.
Eliminate the gifts for the tourists at the toll booths. The state is reducing the subsidy to our schools yet we have enough money to hand out cookie cutters to the tourists. This is unbelievable!

The State archiving system is unnecessarily cumbersome and expensive. First, the State saves the actual paper files rather than scanning them electronically or transferring them to microfiche and so there always seems to be a space issue (with its associated cost). Two, because every agency saves its files (and pays for it), there are often multiple copies of documents in archives. For example, in child protective and support enforcement cases, the court saves its file, DHHS saves its file, and the AG's Office saves its file.
From: Andrea C. Najarian, Assistant Attorney General; Andrea.Najarian@maine.gov;
822-0265
Assign responsibility to OPEGA to report any duplicative services of state- sanctioned Economic Development entities and respective costs of those, if any, duplicative services within State Government by Jan 09.
From: Rep. Patrick Flood; reppatrick.flood@legislature.maine.gov
I propose that the State of Maine begin using nitrogen instead of air in the tires of all state vehicles. If the air in the tires of State vehicles was replaced with nitrogen, a significant amount of money would be saved. Nitrogen inflated tires give better gas mileage and create less wear on tires. It is also safer for the environment and for the public because properly inflated tires allow better control of the vehicle. I have experienced much improved gas mileage and tire wear on my personal vehicles. There is much more information on Nitrogen at http://www.getnitrogen.org/. Thanks for being open to public suggestions about conserving our resources.
From: Jeralyn Cole; 207 Lighthouse Road Stockton Springs ME 04981; tjeritoo@yahoo.com; 567-3356
Cut the budget for the DEP.
From: George Barrett; 2 Country Charm Rd, Cumberland 04021; sheepscot@gwi.net; 829-5134
You need to take a closer look at some of the quasi governmental agencies that receive state funds. You tend to assume that because these agencies have their own Boards, that the Boards are taking a close look at the agency budgets that are being submitted for legislative approval. That is not the case. Each of these agencies should be asked to submitted their own list of personnel, salaries and benefits, expenses and such and then reconcile that to the appropriation that is being requested from the legislature.
From: Imus B Anonymous
Several quasi-governmental plds have made unique state retirement arrangements for themselves wherein they foot the cost, at taxpayer expense, in the hundreds of thousands of dollars when receiving transferred employees from state government, typically at the executive level, moving them out of the state government retirement system and into a participating district retirement system. These employees then work a few years and then retire sooner than they might have otherwise been eligible. You need to look into this practice, cost to the taxpayer, and its relative fairness to others. The organizations involved are very good at hiding this activity.
From: Imus B Anonymous
There is a complete lack of trust between and among state organizations. State organizations are tending to look out for their own good and not for the good of the larger organization. Department directors very clearly demand that staff be less than forthcoming with their financial information. To a large degree they get away with this because legislative analysts fail to ask the right questions. This is not their fault, but a function of how much can be paid attention to.
From: Imus B Anonymous
Why are state employment ads in the newspaper so large and so detailed? Why can it not simply be a notice of available positions with an address to web site for more detailed information? DHS is infamous for these ads as it the University of Maine System. Here the state is advocating technology and it a significant sum of money on these ads.
From: Imus B Anonymous
The Governor’s proposal of consolidating the jail system is an outstanding idea.
From: Imus B Anonymous
I would support a statewide income or sales tax surtax to support education with a corresponding offset to local property taxes.
From: Imus B Anonymous
Does it make sense to have all of the specialty type police functions that the state provides and should these be consolidated into a single or fewer organizations?
From: Imus B Anonymous
While I applaud this effort, an infrastructure needs to be built to make in a more continuing an ongoing effort. Any fiscal oversight office at the state, be it the State Budget Office or the fiscal folks at the state legislature, need to learn how to ask the right questions to get the right information. Sorry to say but many state agency and quasi state agency leaders are intentionally vague in responding to legislative inquiries. Thus, the analysts are merely conduits of information rather than truly analysts. Somebody once told me that when doing public sector fiscal analysis, the true answer to your question may be the opposite of the one that you get. The key is to be smart enough to know when such is the case!
From: Imus B Anonymous
We need to start using technology for meetings. It is amazing to me that I have been on the EMHS board for over a year and have been able to tie into every board meeting by ITV locally, but when I ask if I can do that for state meetings, most of the time the answer is no. Being from Aroostook County we fight it all the time and continue to request this option to save on a time and travel money. At times we have been told that it is mandatory that we have to come to the meeting. I have traveled to Augusta for a 2 hour meeting which takes me a total of 8 hours to get there and back, how cost effective is that? This idea would not affect any jobs and would save money to be used for programming instead of travel. I bet if you knew how many people traveled from Aroostook each week to attend meetings in Augusta it would floor you.
I am not sure if this is where I should suggest this but .. .I recently was talking with some fishermen and they stated that it would be very helpful to them if there were provided a booklet every 2-4 years listing all the fishermen in their "fishing zone" along with buoy colors and license/ID numbers. They stated that it would be such a help to them that they would be willing to purchase this booklet. This may be a source of revenue for Department of Marine Resources.
From: Dodie Emerson; Addison, Maine; dodieemerson@yahoo.com
Reduce office space and buildings (state) by 30%.
From: Ed Boynton; PO Box 43, Frenchville, ME; 543-6179
The state of Maine could save thousands of dollars immediately by terminating any unemployment payments to any individuals in York or Cumberland County. As an employer in York County-I recently ran an add for help wanted I received not one response-therefore if the state has even one person collecting unemployment in York County it is a bogus claim.. Second point recently walking thru K'Port and the Maine Mall I noticed too many help wanted signs to count. Yet how many people in York and Cumberland County are on the unemployment rolls. This agency is totally out of control-it is suppose to find work for the individuals and pay them temporarily but in this state its a way for people to sit at home not have to work, or answer to anyone about not working and get paid for it. Check it out, there is no follow up with anyone that collects, they do everything by phone or cpu thus allowing endless fraud....
From: Nancy Roberts; PO Box 125 Kennebunk Maine 04043; bglm@gwi.net; 985-4895
Department: Corrections - Programs Impacted: Adult Corrections Facilities
Savings Suggestions:
1) Ensure that prisoners are getting the good time that is set out in statute. Eligible prisoners at MSP currently are not earning that good time under 1983 code and 2004 code.
2) Change prisoner disciplinary policies so that good time is not lost. It is estimated that approximately 10-12 years of good time is taken through that process on a quarterly basis - largely for ridiculous write ups, for example: for crossing over a yellow line on a walkway; forgetting the prisoner ID and walking out of the housing unit; mixing shampoo and conditioner together in a bottle.
3) Tell DOC's Commissioner and the Maine State Prison Warden to stop staging overcrowding situations by double bunking prisoners for the one day that legislators visit. It is wasted staff time to supervise these fake prisoner moves.
Tax rate setting/collection done on County level through Sherriff's office (see West Virginia)
From: Tom Greene; 1 Mallett Drive, Topsham, ME 04086; tgreene_msp@msn.com
AAA and BMV form partnership to expand car owner services to AAA offices, as has been done in other states.
From: Tom Greene; 1 Mallett Drive, Topsham, ME 04086; tgreene_msp@msn.com
The State needs to provide incentive for small business to enter and/or operate in Maine. Decreasing taxes on small businesses, providing tax breaks, or other incentives will bring, and keep, jobs in Maine. A primary area that impacts small businesses is providing health insurance to their staff. Health insurance is a benefit that draws workers, but is also costly to agencies to provide. Small businesses often don't have the number of staff or the financial resources to provide such a benefit. Insurance companies require that 75% of staff carry health insurance or they won't issue a policy. This has a negative impact on small business and as a result the economy. I will gladly speak with anyone regarding these or other ideas and concerns. Thank you.
From: Freeman R. Corey; 269 Gardner Creek Road; gardnercricker@yahoo.com;
455-4946
When DAFS issues reimbursement (travel) to employees (those who already have direct deposit with their paycheck), the reimbursement check should be direct deposited. In fact, the state should require direct deposit for all employees and stop issuing the paper checks (information is available through TAMS) Savings - Cost of paper check, cost of printing paper check, cost of envelope, cost of postage. I realize this is small - but we need to start somewhere. IF&W - If someone registers online through MOSES for a hunting and/or fishing license- IF&W should use email for correspondence to that licensed person. Instead they use both - email AND snail mail for surveys, reminders, etc. Same as above - saving on paper costs, postage, time stuffing the envelope, etc. Now that I've given my ideas for savings, let's take a look at a revenue generating idea that has been severely overlooked. Out of state persons who use a powered boat on Maine's inland waters should have to register them - much in the same vein as ATV and snowmobile temporary registrations. As the current law stands, these persons are not required to register their boat unless they are staying more than 60 days - (Maine summers do not last that long). Outlets that currently handle the ATV and snowmobile temp registrations could carry the load. The excess revenue generated could help fund milfoil awareness programs, maintain state boat launches, etc. How much revenue would it generate? I don't know - but I guess if you could find out how many out of state milfoil stickers were purchased during the season it might give you some ballpark figure.
From: Tammy Knight; tammy.knight@maine.gov