Michaud lays out economic platform
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mike Michaud released a 33-page economic development plan yesterday, offering proposals including raising the state’s minimum wage to $9 an hour and targeting development in industries like farms and fisheries, renewable energy and tourism.
The report outlines five areas of focus comprising small businesses, work force development, farms and fisheries, tourism and renewable energy, as well as three policy priorities, which are increasing the minimum wage, and expanding Medicaid and the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit. His campaign estimated its initiatives would cost $36 million in the first year.
The report, which Michaud released during a press conference at Rosemont Market and Bakery in Portland, elicited responses from Michaud’s opponents in the November election, Republican incumbent Gov. Paul LePage and independent challenger Eliot Cutler. A statement from the LePage campaign touted the improvement of certain economic indicators, like the state’s unemployment rate, during his tenure. Cutler criticized Michaud’s plan as a “big government, big spending approach,” while pointing out that a 114-page book he published in late 2013 also encouraged focusing on development of Maine’s tourism and agriculture industries.
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