MAINE REPUBLICAN PARTY PLATFORM 2006
To Be Submitted for Ratification on the Floor of
The 2006 Maine Republican Party State Convention, May 5-6, 2006

• We believe we must protect our country and fellow citizens by supporting President George W. Bush in his effort to continue the defense of our nation against terrorist attacks;

• We believe in the power of the individual over the power of the government to make personal decisions affecting their lives and their well-being and that the role of government is to serve the people, not for the people to serve government;

• We believe it is imperative that spending at all levels of government, state, county and local, be brought under control to ensure fiscal stability for future generations;

• We believe in gaining economic prosperity and freedom for all Maine people by adopting pro-business laws that will encourage investment and create higher paying quality jobs;

• We believe Maine per capita income is low because our tax burden is high and that reducing tax rates, including fees, will increase both income and tax revenues by improving the business climate in the State of Maine;

• We believe all Maine people deserve access to affordable health care insurance that can be achieved through legislative reforms that allow free market solutions;

• We believe in planning for the future of our state by ensuring that our children have access to the best educational opportunities possible through fiscal and academic accountability and educational choice;

• We believe private ownership of Maine lands is consistent with our economic system, limited government, good land stewardship and our Constitution;

• We believe in the right to keep and bear arms as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and the Maine Constitution;

• We believe in the sanctity of life and the right of parents to be involved in the reproductive decisions of their minor children;

• We support the defense of marriage by recognizing that the sole definition of marriage is the union of one man and one woman;

• We support the preservation of the heritage of the Maine Woods and oppose a feasibility study for the purpose of creating a federal park in the North Woods;

• We support a comprehensive energy policy that will increase supply, decrease demand and encourage conservation in order to reduce our dependence on foreign sources of oil while ensuring the cost of energy is affordable for all Maine residents.

Based on these principles, we support the following initiatives:

• A constitutional amendment that will ensure state spending never grows faster than our income;

• All Republican candidates for state and national office are urged to vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes and fees;

• We, as a party, support the Taxpayer Bill Of Rights (TABOR);

• Reform the regulations and the regulatory process that have a negative impact on family stores, businesses and the traditional Maine industries of manufacturing, forestry, fishing and farming;

• Ensure financial aid which flows from the State to local schools shall be distributed in a fair and equitable manner for both large and small schools, as well as urban and rural schools;

• We support a Constitutional Amendment to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman;

• Ensure that regulations recognize the value of Maine’s outdoor heritage and promote responsible stewardship of the environment which is based on sound science;

• Conform the state tax code to the federal tax code to achieve fairness and equity without continually increasing the tax burden on our citizens;

• Promote competition in the health care system to lower costs for all Maine citizens by reducing regulations allowing Maine people to have the same health insurance choices as people in other states;

• Create a statewide economic environment that helps Maine businesses grow new jobs to increase Maine’s competitiveness, and encourages new businesses to locate and stay in Maine;

• We appreciate the service of active duty military and veterans, fire fighters, police officers and EMTs, and all those who serve for the sake of others;

• Enforce existing criminal laws to protect the innocent and the victims of crime; and support mandatory minimum sentences whenever appropriate; and

• We recognize the value of OPEGA, Maine’s governmental oversight agency, to achieve effective and efficient state government, and pledge our continued support.