AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage is defending his environmental proposals as the beginnings of a reform agenda needed to turn Maine’s economy around and create jobs.

In his weekly radio address, the Republican governor says most of the proposals come directly from business owners and managers who’ve attended Red Tape Workshops that have been held throughout Maine. LePage says part of his plan is to conform to federal regulations when it makes sense.

LePage says it’s time to start defending the interests of those who want to work in Maine with the same vigor that we defend tree frogs and Canadian lynx.

In the Democratic response, Rep. Bob Duchesne of Hudson says more than half of LePage’s environmental proposals rolled back protections to the health, safety and welfare of Maine citizens.