In every corner of our great state, from the rocky harbors of Stonington to the farms of Aroostook, small businesses are the lifeblood of Maine’s economy. They don’t just create jobs; they help build our communities. They sponsor our Little League teams, plow our driveways in winter, and serve us breakfast before sunrise. And yet, too often, they are ignored, over-regulated, shut down during a pandemic and taxed into submission by a government that has forgotten who truly keeps our state running.
It’s imperative to remember that our government does not make money, it only spends money, and every dollar it spends, it takes from you and me and our businesses. As a candidate for governor, let me state plainly that Maine takes too much money from the people and must undergo a dramatic shift in how it treats its small businesses. The truth is simple: if Maine is to thrive in the 21st century, we must become a state that encourages businesses, not one that scares them away.
Small businesses account for over 99% of all Maine businesses, employ more than half of our private-sector workforce, and contribute to a huge portion of Maine’s GDP. Yet despite their enormous contribution, our policies punish them. High energy costs, burdensome regulations, and ever-increasing tax policies make it harder to hire for a tire-retreading facility in Paris or run a gun shop in Houlton. Our state government is currently sending a clear message: if you want to grow, you might be better off doing it somewhere else. That message must change.
Over the past 18 months on the campaign trail, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with business owners all across the state. No matter where I am, I hear many of the same frustrations. These hard-working Mainers, people who get up early, take risks, and contribute every day to their communities, say they need less red tape and lower costs of living. This is almost always followed by a conversation about Maine’s failed energy policies.
Like businesses, states compete with one another. Each state must remain competitive to grow its business base. It is imperative that we develop a Maine First business approach—a comprehensive, pro-growth strategy that does three things:
- Cut Unnecessary Regulations: We must streamline licensing, permitting, and inspection processes. Let’s get rid of duplicative rules that do nothing but slow progress and stifle investment. This needs to be done across all industries. We currently have many regulations that add costs to businesses’ bottom line, costs which are passed on to our consumers. It has been estimated that regulations add 20% to the cost of building a house in Maine.
- Lower Taxes for Small Businesses: By waging war on corruption and government
mismanagement, and by cutting wasteful spending from our state budget, we can reduce taxes and phase out anti-growth policies and regulations. In doing so, we’ll create an environment where businesses can reinvest in workers, expansion, and innovation. - Invest in Workforce Development and Trade Education: Let’s prepare the next generation of skilled workers right here in Maine. We must connect students and adults with real career opportunities in the trades, manufacturing, farming, and fishing. And let’s work to attract emerging tech industries.
When Maine starts making decisions that are business-friendly, the cost of living in the state will go down for all Mainers. When Maine businesses thrive, they create more jobs, enabling people to return to work and reducing homelessness and substance abuse. This in turn helps improve the mental health crisis and reduces the budget by decreasing reliance on MaineCare.
Being business-minded will create a positive domino effect that will move our state forward. Making Maine business-friendly is about standing with the everyday shop owner, the lobsterman, the carpenter, the small manufacturer. It’s about choosing local prosperity over bureaucratic growth.
We cannot tax our way to growth. We must empower those who already have skin in the game and encourage those who want to try out their entrepreneurial ideas. Maine is a state of makers, doers, and problem-solvers. We just need a government that matches our people’s grit and determination.
The stakes are high—our young people are leaving, our tax base is shrinking, and many in our communities are hurting. But I am confident it is not too late. If we commit to unleashing the power of small businesses, we can reverse this trend and build a stronger, more prosperous Maine for our children.
Robert Wessels is a candidate for the Republican nomination for Maine governor, and was the first to declare his candidacy. He lives in Paris and has worked a variety of jobs, largely in sales, over his career to date. He has served as a selectman in Paris. For more information, visit his campaign website.
