LEWISTON — The five candidates for Maine governor sparred over the state’s business climate, budget deficit, health care costs and welfare during a forum this morning hosted by the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce.

The forum and breakfast, held at the Ramada Conference Center, attracted more than 400 people.

Most candidates said Maine’s business climate is pretty poor. Asked to rate it on a scale of one to 10, from worst to best, independent Eliot Cutler started by rating the climate “about two.” Republican Paul LePage who gave it a “about three”; independent Kevin Scott, “two to three, maybe”; and independent Shawn Moody said “two to three.”

Democrat Libby Mitchell stood out, giving the state’s business climate a five.

“A lot of it is how we see ourselves and we need to create a culture of how to make businesses grow,” Mitchell said.

LePage said the key to helping businesses is to review and relax state regulations, while lowering the costs of energy and health care. “Unlike my opponents, I will look at all forms of energy,” he said.

Cutler also cited reducing energy costs, health care and changing government, while Scott said he would “reach out to corporations” to attract new businesses while “cultivating an environment of professional business analysis.”

Moody said he’d focus on a “small business stimulus package,” while focusing on lowering health care costs by attracting more insurance companies to the state.

Asked how they’d address a coming state budget deficit of at least $800 million, the candidates offered few specifics, even though they were asked for detailed proposals. LePage said the state could save “hundreds of millions” by reforming welfare, while Mitchell said about $250 million would be cut by not funding schools at the 55 percent level.

Cutler blasted the recent “balanced” state budgets as not being truly balanced because, he said, costs were shifted onto towns, schools and others, while state borrowing has ballooned its debt.

“We need to stop digging the hole deeper, making promises, which is what my opponents are doing,” Cutler said. “I never thought I’d be the only fiscal conservative in this race, but I am.”

 

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