Let’s establish a new tone. Let’s get rid of the “I, me, my attitude” because when we really start looking at the greater good, it gets real simple. It gets real clear.

What will Maine look like after four years of collaborative thinking, strategizing, and policy implementation by the Moody administration? With four years of accountability and fiscal responsibility, we will meet or exceed the following goals.

An Unemployment Rate of Less Than 6%

I am committed to dropping Maine’s unemployment rate to less than 6%. How will we do that? By focusing on Maine’s core competencies – agriculture, forestry, and fishing. Some people will argue we’re going backward. One thing we know for sure – people need to eat, drink, and stay warm. We will also embrace emerging business models and alternative energy sources. In talking to Maine business owners, I noticed a recurring theme that many have had great success in “niche” machine work and manufacturing markets.  We consciously create job security when we support and attract businesses that aren’t easy to relocate to another state or country.  When the vast majority of our citizens have a 40-hour/week paycheck, a lot of problems go away.

Merit Pay in Education

We need to be clear. This is America, a free society built on free market competition and innovation. I’m going to prioritize the adaptation of a merit pay system in education. Across-the-board pay increases breed mediocrity. Top achievers leave; under achievers stagnate. It’s time to commit ourselves to a fair, comprehensive annual assesssment and development process. Charter schools in my mind are just like Dirigo Health. We give up on fixing the real problem and “create” a new one in its place. I truly believe the educators in our state are passionate about their profession. If we truly want to make a difference, we need to do something different!

20% More College Graduates Stay in Maine

It’s my goal to increase the number of college graduates who stay in Maine by 20%. We need to look in the mirror on this. Between parents, guidance counselors, and educators, our young graduates are indoctrinated to believe they need to leave this one-horse state in order to succeed. Why do we divide our families? Let’s encourage our “best and brightest” to rise to the top right here in Maine. We have everything to gain.

30% Fewer High School Drop-Outs

Let’s be honest with ourselves – not everyone is headed to college – yet. Reducing the number of high school dropouts by 30% starts by keeping more doors open at the high school level. We need to offer the most comprehensive vocational and co-op programs available. We will re-focus on our career-bound students and give them the skills and education they need to enter today’s work force. We also need to commit to college-transition programs for those students who consider attending college years after high school graduation. An educator once told me, “Learning is a constant; time is a variable.”

Change Welfare to Workfare

I am committed to transitioning people out of welfare through ”workfare.” Former Governor Longley implemented a “workfare” plan to help restore dignity to those receiving assistance while awaiting an opportunity to return to the mainstream workforce. We will restore this program and redeploy some of our “lean” state work force to effectively manage it. “Workfare” will help us maintain our buildings and facilities and roadscape to ensure we have the most beautiful state in the nation. We’ll focus on providing a hand-up, not a hand-out.

Increase Competition in Health Care Insurance

One thing is certain. We must increase competition in health care to drive down costs and improve care. Our goal will be to have at least 8 choices (NH has 14) for health insurance providers by 2014. This will be a tough one. Governors don’t legislate, but I will work relentlessly to break the gridlock of bureaucracy preventing free market health care in Maine. We did it with Workers’ Compensation back in the 80’s We need to do it with health care over the next four years. It took a crisis before; we’re in a crisis now!

Maine Budget Surplus by 2014

We will turn Maine around by 2014. My goal is to create a budget surplus for investment, pay down debt, and be prepared for the next economic downturn. We will change the minds and hearts of our legislators. We will convince them we can’t afford to continue to run our state as a “non-profit” entity. There is no investment in our infrastructure, innovation or technology when you’re living from budget to budget. We will operate Maine with fiscal discipline and create a responsible surplus – that will be clear to everyone who works in the Moody administration. Will there be shared sacrifices? Yes. We will not be the first generation to leave behind a wake of debt, desolation, and disrepair in the Greatest State in the Nation. You have my word. Within four years, we will inspire a renewed faith in state government through honesty, integrity, and hard work!