In his June 24 Maine Voices column, Jason Savage states: “Even the Maine Technology Institute, which oversees the R&D bonds that (state Sen. Justin) Alfond claims are key to growing Maine’s economy, reports that the previous $53 million in bond debt that went to the institute created or preserved only about 500 jobs. Does he expect taxpayers to continue to fund this small pool of jobs forever?” But innovation produces jobs only when research produces results.

Savage’s attitude is so symptomatic of what is wrong with LePage & Company. They have no understanding of the innovation process. They can’t fathom how creating new ways to use Maine’s natural resources is extremely critical to Maine’s future economy.

So let me make it clear: Growth for Maine can only come from two sources. Either we convince businesses from outside of Maine that our state is so much better than 49 other states that they would move their production assets here; or we make Maine’s existing natural resources so valuable that the rest of the world can’t live without them. For either option, we need to communicate a clear statement that Maine will invest in whatever it takes to make things work.

We know Maine is challenged with business roadblocks. Education, transportation, burdensome government, taxation, work ethics, unionism, environment — there are states that do these things better than Maine. In some cases, much better. This is a very competitive world.

So when the governor and his (I-need-this-job-so-bad-that-I’ll-say-anything) paid servants do anything to undermine any one business attractant, they are hurting Maine now and for years to come.

For the governor’s information, not all Maine businesses can survive by selling the inventory of failed businesses. The Marden’s model just doesn’t work for Maine government.

Kenneth A. Capron of Portland is the host of WatchDog Nation on WMPG radio.

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