I’m writing today to announce my dismay about the recent news that Gov. Baldacci has said that Maine will finally reimburse our hospitals their long-awaited Medicaid payments.

As I am very happy that the hospitals are receiving these funds, I am concerned about where the money is coming from. The governor has proposed budgeting $204 million of reimbursement costs over the next four years. Months ago, during the summer, it was announced that Maine had a surplus of money. If this is true, why not use that money to pay the hospitals back? Instead, it must be budgeted over four years? Where’s this money coming from? Will taxes be raised again?

The Maine House of Representatives has had a Democrat majority for 32 years. This majority has contributed to the governor’s last four years of incompetence. This needs to stop. I will find it incomprehensible that the people of Maine would allow the Democrat reign in Augusta to continue.

To fix this almost unrepairable situation, amongs others, will take hard-working men and women using common-sense politics to be elected to the Legislature. One such man running for the Legislature is Lyle Cramer. He’s running for District 125 in Westbrook. If you live in Westbrook, you’ve surely seen his signs. They’re popping up all over private property, which tells me that his future constituents believe in him and understand everything I’m saying.

Please join me in supporting Lyle Cramer on Nov. 7, along with every other Republican on the ballot. The Democrats in Augusta haven’t been doing their jobs. It’s time to fire them and hire the people who will make a difference. It’s time for a change!

JoAnn Prevost

Westbrook