AUGUSTA, Maine — Republican gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Bush delivered a forceful speech to delegates at the Maine Republican Party convention Saturday, laying out an aggressive plan to eliminate what he described as burdensome laws, unnecessary government programs, and taxpayer-funded initiatives that he said have driven up costs and slowed economic growth.
Central to Bush’s remarks was his promise to “shred” legislation and programs he believes fall outside the core mission of government, a message that resonated strongly with convention attendees.
“When I am elected, we will bring to every agency of state government three things right into the front door,” Bush said. “A rifle scope, a shredder, and a watering can.”
A government “turnaround” built on cutting laws
Bush framed his approach as a business-style turnaround, arguing that state government has accumulated layers of regulation and spending that no longer serve Maine families.
Under his proposal, each state agency would be required to clearly define its core purpose, what he described as services only government can provide.
“Core mission will be defined as the thing that only the state can deliver,” Bush said. “If you can find it in the phone book, we ain’t doing it in the state.”
Programs, mandates, and laws that fall outside those missions, he said, would be eliminated.
“With that mission locked in, everything off mission gets the shredder,” Bush said. “And the money goes back to us in lower taxes.”
Specific examples of what Bush said should be “shredded”
During his address, Bush walked the audience through a list of programs and policies he believes illustrate what he called government excess.
He began with state-funded programs that he argued do not deliver measurable value to taxpayers.
Among the first examples he cited was the Charles Scontras Labor and Community Education Center, referring to its annual cost as something he believes should be reconsidered.
“How about the Charles Scontras Labor and Community Education Center for $500,000 a year?” Bush asked. “Should we shred it?”
He then turned to regulations affecting everyday life, including outdoor activity restrictions.
“How about a law that keeps all neighbors from having any campfires over three feet?” he said. “Should we shred it?”
Bush also highlighted what he described as an excessive administrative presence in Maine’s education system.
“How about 208 bureaucrats in Augusta, in the Department of Education, that don’t do any teaching?” he asked.
The crowd repeatedly responded with chants of “Shred it,” reinforcing the message as Bush continued listing examples.
Education mandates and administrative growth targeted
Bush criticized what he described as expanding mandates in schools, particularly policies he believes distract from academic performance.
He questioned the number of holidays and recognition days observed in schools, suggesting they take focus away from reading and math achievement.
“How about 14 holidays for every heritage in the world in a school where kids can’t read?” Bush said.
He tied this concern to Maine’s education rankings, arguing that bureaucratic expansion has not produced better results for students.
Bush also suggested that eliminating non-essential mandates could allow more resources to be redirected toward classroom instruction and core academic needs.
Energy policy and net billing subsidies singled out
Energy policy was another major target of Bush’s proposed legislative cuts.
He criticized Maine’s net energy billing program, arguing that it contributes to rising electricity costs for ratepayers.
“How about 10 cents per kilowatt hour in net energy billing to pay for a subsidy that just drives up our energy cost?” Bush said.
Bush framed the policy as an example of what he described as government interference that shifts costs onto consumers while benefiting select industries.
Contracts and healthcare spending also flagged
Bush also pointed to what he described as costly contracts and programs within Maine’s healthcare system, suggesting those expenditures deserve closer scrutiny.
He referenced state payments to healthcare providers and programs he believes should face review or elimination if found to be inefficient.
“How about some sweet hot contracts?” Bush said. “Anybody have a sweet hot contract with the state?”
He specifically named healthcare-related spending examples, arguing that taxpayer funds should be used more efficiently and transparently.
Bush also criticized the scale of state-funded harm reduction programs, referencing the distribution of syringes to individuals struggling with addiction.
“How about your money going to four million needles a year to be given to our state’s addicts?” he asked.
Immigration and tax policy included in proposed cuts
Bush also identified immigration-related policies and tax burdens as areas requiring legislative rollback.
He criticized what he described as sanctuary policies, arguing they place financial strain on state and local resources.
“How about a sanctuary state policy?” Bush asked.
Tax policy, however, received the strongest focus of the speech.
Bush described Maine’s tax burden as one of the most significant obstacles to economic growth, particularly for a state he described as among the poorest in the nation.
“This is the most important shredding job,” Bush said. “Maine’s tax profile, when you are the fifth poorest state in the country, you need to be on sale.”
A $1 billion tax cut tied to spending reductions
Bush pledged to reduce Maine’s income tax by $1 billion, describing the move as a roughly 12 percent cut to the state’s biennial budget.
“I promise you, I can find 12 percent fat in anything,” Bush said.
He argued that the tax reduction would stimulate business investment and return money directly to Maine families.
“That wakes up the market,” Bush said. “It’s a shock heard around the economy.”
Bush said the savings would ultimately put approximately $2,000 back into the pockets of Maine families.
Reinvesting after the cuts
While much of the speech focused on eliminating laws and programs, Bush also outlined what he described as reinvesting in priority areas once spending is reduced.
Using his “watering can” metaphor, Bush said resources would be redirected toward expanding healthcare access, improving education options, and strengthening law enforcement.
In healthcare, he proposed allowing providers such as pharmacists and paramedics to operate at the full extent of their training.
In education, Bush voiced support for expanding charter schools, religious schools, and home education options.
In public safety, he pledged to remove what he described as political pressure on law enforcement.
A message centered on shrinking government
Bush repeatedly returned to the theme that Maine’s future depends on reducing government size and influence.
He described the state as standing at a crossroads, warning that continued expansion of government programs would lead to further economic stagnation.
“One road leads to socialism and economic and emotional depression,” Bush said. “The other leads to the Maine dream.”
Bush closed his remarks by emphasizing his identity as a veteran, business leader, and political outsider.
“I am a veteran,” Bush said. “I am an outsider of Augusta. I don’t get paid in tax dollars. I pay them.”
“With God’s help, with your blessing, with your vote,” he said, “I am going to shake up Augusta.”
