In an exclusive interview, Governor John E. Baldacci explains how Maine is open for business, with lower income taxes, incentives for businesses and a growing innovative economy. The governor also comments on President Obama as a leader and partner and similarities in healthcare programs.
• Maine INCOME TAXES CUT!
• Pine Tree Zones expand for the entire state, the program gives business tax incentives.
• Maine’s staggering potential in wind, waves, and tidal production.
• Bonds for MTAF awards go to innovative projects- which will grow Maine’s economy.

Also in this in issue 22:

• Weatherization for all – the Energy Efficiency Trust and Board.
• Building a foundation in Maine for universal health.
• Hallowell International: innovative heating/air cooling systems.
• A new consortium: the Maine Wind Industry Initiative.
• Editorial: Maine in the 21st economy: the state is open for business.
• UMaine’s first national wind-blade challenge.
• Maine, leading the nation in “firsts” in environmental laws.
• Companies honored for their environmental stewardship.
• An Act to Facilitate the Production of Liquid Biofuels.

Gov. John Baldacci hits a homerun for Maine with income tax reduced, the tax code restructured and tax incentives for business

“There was an editorial in the Wall Street journal today (June 23, 2009) that talked about Maine’s ‘Miracle.’ They were referring to what we’ve been able to do. First of all, for the first time in 30 years the biennial budget has been less than its predecessor. That’s not by an inch, it’s by a mile — it was $500 million dollars less. We started out with a $6.3 billion proposed biennial budget and finished with a $5.8 billion two year budget. We made substantial cuts without raising taxes, while continuing to provide to the most vulnerable in this society. We rolled up our sleeves and worked together to do the right thing for the state of Maine.

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Gov. Baldacci signs the historic tax reduction and reform bill into law. Maine is the only state to cut taxes this year.

Maine income tax was lowered for all taxpayers.

“The new code is more stable and progressive. It will help grow the economy. By making the earned income tax credit partially refundable, lower- and middle-income families will see an increase in their disposable income, so they can pay for essentials,” said Governor John Baldacci during the signing ceremony in his packed Statehouse office. “Maine is one of only three states that has this established, which makes our code more progressive.”

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Many equate the current green energy technology boom as being as important to the economy as the Industrial Revolution.

Maine is ideally suited for wind, wave, and tidal energy production.

With that backdrop, more than 400 engineers, designers, technicians, and other experts came from Holland, Canada, and across America to Rockland, intent to share ideas and information about wind, wave, and tidal energy projects at the EnergyOcean Conference in June.

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Students working in composites

“We’ve developed a technology that will strengthen communications through broadband, tenfold,” said Andre Skalina of Dielectric Communications. “We’re working with UMaine on environmental testing. It could revolutionize the field.”

Projects are as diverse as using new underwater technologies to map the ocean floor for windmill platforms, bringing diagnostics technology to Brewer, so patients won’t have to travel to Boston for the same care, or establishing markets for breakthrough gene medicines developed by Jackson Laboratory, to name a few.

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Paul Williamson of the MWII talks about the group at the EnergyOcean conference in Rockland

The opportunity to network, for agencies, businesses, and representatives from governments, was huge, and Maine benefited. Spreading the awareness of the expertise and businesses that are established in Maine in this field is paramount for the industry to grow.

“Establishing the state as a substantial player in the offshore wind industry is one of the objectives of our new group, The Maine Wind Industry Initiative,” said Paul Williamson, project manager and member of the Maine Composites Alliance.

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In the 1970s nearly 80 percent of Americans had private coverage, according to CDC officials. In the last ten years premiums on insurance plans have doubled. Now there are nearly 50 million uninsured Americans. Thousands who have insurance are underinsured and have found out, when they get sick, their plan only partially covers their illness. Or worse, it doesn’t. The President listened to stories like this at a town hall forum in Annandale, VA.

At the town forum President Obama outlined the objectives of his healthcare plan and how he would pay for it.

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In 2003 Governor John Baldacci established Pine Tree Zones (PTZ’s) to make areas that needed economic development more attractive to businesses by providing tax incentives. Those PTZ tax-free benefits have been extended to cover the entire state. Under the new law a two-tiered system will be implemented so that more economically challenged areas will have a longer benefit period.

“The program has resulted in more opportunities for Maine workers and businesses. This bill comes at an important time,” said the Governor. “Pine Tree Zones enable Maine to encourage growth internally, and attract new businesses to the state.”

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Trish Riley, the Director of the State's Health Office, is the architect behind Dirigo Health

Key initiatives that address cost, quality, and access to health care have passed this session.

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Maine is already on the road that is creating a clean-energy revolution in America.

The foundation has been laid, which establishes Maine as a welcoming state, embracing innovative entrepreneurs.

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