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Friday, August 17, 2007
BerryBlog #35
Dear Neighbors:
As you know, the federal debt now stands at over $7 trillion, amounting to an
average, hidden debt of $120,000 for each family of four. State governments must prepare by making themselves as lean
and as efficient as possible, to prepare for the inevitable storm as our bills become due. Over the next few decades,
our federal tax dollars, and Social Security dollars, will increasingly be used to pay debts rather than to help defray the
costs of our roads, schools, and other infrastructure.
This month, the Legislature is undertaking a comprehensive analysis of
State Government with the goals of consolidating functions and eliminating duplication and inefficiencies in programs, in
contracted personal services and in the administrative and management positions within the structure of State Government.
As part of this analysis, the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs will investigate and
identify major sources of administrative excess, redundancy, inefficiency and program overlap with other state, local or federal
programs. The committee will be coordinating its activities with the Joint Select Committee on Future Maine Prosperity.
To assist in this effort, the Legislature and I are soliciting public input
for ideas to generate on-going structural savings for state government. If you have new, creative ideas for administrative
savings or can identify sources of administrative excess, redundancy or inefficiencies in state government, please click on
"Contact Seth" and share your thoughts. As you do so, please be as specific as possible, identifying the department,
programs, the specific positions and/or contracted service that would be affected by your savings proposal.
If you prefer to comment directly to the Committee, or anonymously, you may also
do so at the Legislature's website, linked from this site.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts on how Maine can best prepare for the tough
fiscal times that lay ahead.
Seth
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Click on above dates for archived BerryBlogs
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HOW BAD IS IT, DOC? -- NY Times Interactive Map of State Budget Shortfalls in the U.S.
Note: most states have major budget shortfalls. Those that do not are largely states with strong fossil
fuel (TX, AK, WY, WV) or food (IN, SD, OR, WA) based economies.
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| Bowdoinham's Steen Farm is for sale , protected by ME Farmland Trust. Click for Press Herald story. |
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| Seth and his son at a new wind farm in Maine |
| HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS |
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| Cpl. Cory McCollet of Bowdoin returned home in May from Iraq, & was reunited with daughter Isabella |
As your State Representative, I use this site as another way to keep
you informed and to hear from you. I believe strong communication and a willingness to
work across party lines are critical as we work to move Maine forward.
The BerryBlog is published at least twice a month when
the Legislature is in session. To read previous postings, please click on the archive dates below the current message.
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| Rep. Berry receives the annual Healthy Air Award from the American Lung Association |
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| Rep. Berry receives award from Major Hatt of the Maine National Guard |
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| Representatives Standing Up for Children |
National Debt Clock (over $140,000 per family... and rising)
Public Hearings This Week
How To Testify at Hearings
| BASIC HEALTH CARE IS A RIGHT -- NOT A PRIVILEGE |
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| Speaking to Richmond elders on schools, health care and tax fairness (see Seth in the News, 3/5/07). |
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