Editor,
Recently the MERI (Maine Economic Research Institute) ratings were published as an insert to the Portland Press Herald. The Website, www.fixmaine.com, also contains more information.
This cross section of businessmen and women from all business sectors of Maine, diverse in their political affiliations, periodically evaluate legislative initiatives pertaining strictly to business. The top 15 to 25 initiatives are then scored for each representative and senator, resulting in their MERI rating.
The pass/fail mid-point is a rating of 55 percent. Higher is good for the business climate, and lower is bad for business. Among Democrats, senators averaged 30.5 and representatives 25.4. For Republicans, senators averaged 90.34 and representatives 87.9. Remember, these are actual voting records on legislation Maine business leaders deemed important for business.
This points up definitively why we need change in Augusta’s leadership if we are to ever see more jobs and a better business climate. Though Senator Bill Diamond scored a 54, he was at the top of the Democrat ratings. This is why Lani Kelly, who is committed to lowering the tax burden for Maine businesses, would be a great replacement. You see, talking about being pro-business and pro-jobs is a lot different from doing something about it.
The independent non-partisan MERI proved beyond a doubt that Republicans are pro-business, and business-friendly means good jobs and a good economy.
Greg Swift
Casco
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