As your State Representative, Mark Eves will work for…
Fostering Maine’s Small Business Economy
Maine can help our small businesses grow, and help new entrepreneurs succeed.
Small businesses are the backbone of the Maine economy and our communities. They create over 75 percent of the new jobs in this state each year. Innovation and entrepreneurship are driving our economy, but more needs to be done to help these businesses grow and succeed.
What we can do:
1. Focus on reducing and streamlining the paperwork and regulatory requirements for small businesses, so they can focus on growing their business and creating jobs.
2. Energy and health care costs are the fastest growing costs for Maine businesses. We can lower these costs by making new investments in energy alternatives and affordable health care options.
3. Expand and create affordable health care plans specifically designed to give Maine businesses more choices and reduce their costs. This also allows entrepreneurs to start new businesses without having to leave their families with no health insurance.
4. Invest in new and creative higher education programs that help train, create and support business leaders and new entrepreneurs.
5. Invest in innovation. Increase funding for seed capital and research and development to spur the economy and support business growth.
Access to Affordable Health Care
Maine needs to ensure affordable, high quality health care for our families and businesses.
The rising cost of health insurance is a top concern for family budgets and small businesses who would otherwise be using those resources to create new jobs. Lowering the cost of health care will spur economic growth. We can cut costs now by making sure more people have coverage. We need to continue to provide affordable alternatives that lower costs and give consumers and businesses more choices.
Facts:
Maine is the only state in the nation to see the number of people without health insurance go down over the last five years.
Maine is among the top 10 states for the nations healthiest kids.
In 2007 alone, Anthem made $74 million in profits just from Maine people.
Creating Opportunity through Education
Making sure more Maine people go to college.
Access to affordable, high quality education is crucial to creating new jobs and more opportunities for Maine people. Maine needs to invest in making college affordable for our families to build the skills of our workforce, to attract businesses and create new entrepreneurs, and to increase incomes in Maine.
Facts:
Maine lags 11 percent behind New England in the number of people with college degrees. Maine earned an F in college affordability, according to the National Center for Public Policy in Higher Education.
Renewable Energy to Improve the Economy
Maine can create new jobs and lower energy costs by investing in renewable energy.
Maine has an opportunity to be a leader in the production of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies that will create new jobs and will help lower energy costs for Maine families and businesses. Investing in renewable energy will improve the economy today, and protect our resource into the future. We also have some of the oldest housing stock in the country, and rely on oil to heat our homes more than most states. As oil costs continue to rise, we must make efficiency and alternative energy a priority.
Facts:
Maine is uniquely situated to take advantage of natural resources to produce renewable energy.
Maine is the 11th windiest state in the country.
Maine is the most densely wooded state in the country.
Preserving Our Quality of Place and Quality of Life
Our quality of life and place is our best economic asset!
Our best economic and social asset is the quality of life in Maine and the unmatched beauty of our landscapes and our villages. We need to protect and preserve our lands and our downtowns. The Maine brand, our low crime rate, and excellent schools, are attracting business leaders, companies, tourists, and families that are fueling our economy and creating new jobs.