LePage earned his unsavory reputation. But it would be a shame to allow his shoddy public-relations skills to obscure the progress he's made in turning his agenda into reality. Even his harshest critics have to admit he's been unwavering in his principles, and his clear view of where he wants the state to go has served as a guide for less-focused Republican legislators.
LePage said he was going to cut taxes. He got a sizable tax-reduction package passed last session and is promising more to come. Although his critics argue he's yet to fund these breaks, he's given every indication he'll do so without gimmicks by fulfilling another of his promises: reducing spending.
He pledged to scale back the size and scope of state government. He's made a small, but not insignificant, start on that, doing about as much as could be expected in less than 12 months.
He claimed he'd make the state more business friendly. Many of his regulatory reforms and structural changes in the bureaucracy seem to be aiding in that effort.
Lower energy costs? LePage's plan to provide natural gas to most of the state within three years is unrealistic. But at least it's a plan that doesn't depend on heavily subsidized wind and solar power that are virtually guaranteed to raise prices.
You may have serious ideological differences with LePage's agenda. From the froth on your lips and the tremors in your limbs, I suspect you do. But setting aside partisan considerations, I can't recall a Maine governor in the last four decades who, after a year in office, had kept more promises and broken fewer.
So, like I said, a decent job.
Now, if he'd only shut up.
On the other hand, you can speak to me by emailing aldiamon@herniahill.net.
