As Legislative session approaches, what are the local legislators' goals?
By Elizabeth Prata

The First Regular Session of the One Hundred and Twenty-Second Maine Legislature was scheduled to convene on Wednesday, December 1, 2004. The Monument Newspaper asked Sen. Karl Turner (R-Cumberland) a few questions as to his goals as a Senator in District 11. Turner was re-elected in November to his third term in the Senate. He represents the towns of Cumberland, Falmouth, Gray, Long Island, North Yarmouth, and Yarmouth.

My goals for the 122nd are:
1. Passage of meaningful limitations on the growth of spending on local, county, and state government. The limitation would be at a percentage less than the growth of citizens paychecks so that Maine would rank 22nd to 25th in 12 years in total tax burden down from a current ranking of 2nd among the states. Left, Turner

2. Balance the FY06-07 state budget without increases in taxes or fees while including full funding for local aid to education from 43% to 55% (Proposition #1 passed in June 04).

3. Shift tax burden away from property tax and provide more balance between property/sales/income taxes with property tax only allowed to grow less than 3%/year on a go forward basis on individual property.

4. Increase funding on the circuit breaker program using the elimination of the homestead exemption to fund the increase.

How successful will the Republicans be?

The best ideas usually are Republican ones. That is why the Democrats sound like Republicans every two years. The reality is that the D's still control both chambers of the legislature (by very small numbers). The liberal wing of the Democrats controls most of the leadership positions in the house and senate. However, there are new, but experienced, hands elected in both chambers who are less liberal than their leadership. If you see tax and spending reforms voted in with strong bi-partisan support, then Maine people will get real reform. If the votes are along party lines, then it will not be real reform.

What are the Democrats going to do?

I expect Democratic leadership to lead with tax increases and provide window dressing for tax reform. I think there is a chance that the fiscally moderate wing of the Democratic senate will force real change in the spending and taxing habits of their party. The reality of less money from Washington for social spending may be the wake-up call needed to force discipline.