Lincoln County Republicans kick off 2010, hear Peter Mills

The Lincoln County Republican Committee kicked off 2010 at a well-attended meeting Wed., January 13, at the Town Hall in Edgecomb. The meeting was hosted by the Edgecomb Republican Town Committee, Jessica Chubbuck, chair.

The guest speaker was State Senator Peter Mills, running for the Republican nomination for governor. A native of Farmington, Maine, Senator Mills spoke primarily on what would be his focus if elected governor. One of the biggest challenges he sees is that for all the money the state spends there is little effort to measure or assess how effectively our agencies are using that money. And what measurements there are have little to do with measuring the value of that department or agency.

Senator Mills also answered questions about reducing the high cost of education in Maine and how he would help Maine’s economy. He said there is no coherent reason why school cost should continue to rise in the face of diminishing performance, a short school year, and ever fewer students each year. Among other things, he says, we need better measurements, more incentives, and more timely remediation.

As for the economy, he would lower the capital gains tax, simplify and improve the clarity of regulatory processes and increase venture capital. All of which, he says, would improve the business climate, resulting in more jobs for Mainers.