Gov. Paul LePage said Tuesday he knows of at least five movie companies interested in filming in Maine, but none will do so because of restrictive state regulatory fees and taxes that other states don’t impose.

LePage talked about offering incentives to filmmakers, as well as other topics, during the television debut of “Inside the Blaine House.” The segment will air for the next two weeks on Time Warner Cable (Channel 9) as well as online at Maine Video on Demand (www.mainevod.com). New segments will air biweekly.

LePage’s staff says the show offers the Republican governor a way to reach out to Maine people without media interference and inform them of the issues his administration is working on.

LePage is only the second sitting governor to use a television show to communicate with constituents. Independent Gov. Angus King had a monthly call-in show on Maine public television called Capital Connection when he held office.

“There are two movies set in Maine, which could be filmed in North Carolina,” LePage told host Kim Lindlof, president of the Mid Maine Chamber of Commerce. “What better advertising for the state than having Maine serve as a backdrop for these movies.”

LePage fielded questions about his positions on the environment, government transparency, and about his Saturday office hours.

“The governor’s doors are always open,” said LePage, who has been meeting one on one with constituents. Interested residents can make appointments to get up to 15 minutes with the governor.

The inaugural segment featured a mix of interviews, public service announcements and a brief question-and-answer period with John Butera, LePage’s senior economic adviser.

“The show will continue as long as it has value,” said Brian Pomerleau, owner of Maine Video on Demand.

The next segment is set to air on April 3 at 10 p.m. For more information go to www.mainevod.com.

Staff Writer Dennis Hoey can be contacted at 791-6365 or at:
dhoey@pressherald.com