02/18/2009
enlarge
Staff photo by Andy Molloyfrom the Kennebec Journal
BUDGET CUTS ORDERED
Many happy returns in Richmond
Tax woes land on Whitefield
Rapist denied new trial
AUGUSTA MINDING A MINE
SPORT OF KINGS Falconry a blend of dedication and commitment
COLLEGE HOCKEY: Maine rallies but falls short against Boston College
COLLEGE ROUNDUP: Colby women win season opener at home tournament
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Kennebec Journal
from the Morning Sentinel
WEDDING BURGLAR JAILED
Youths talk Turkey Day
Plenty of free Thanksgiving meals available
Turkey prices make for happier holiday
Kennebec County Superior Court
POLICE
COLLEGE HOCKEY: Maine rallies but falls short against Boston College
COLLEGE ROUNDUP: Colby women win season opener at home tournament
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Morning Sentinel
"I always thought it was an imperative to pass a stimulus," she said during a meeting with the editorial board of the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel. "The urgency directed by the times demanded that."
Snowe, one of three Republicans to vote in favor of the $787 billion economic stimulus signed by President Barack Obama on Tuesday, acknowledged that she has taken criticism from conservatives for her vote.
But she said she believes most Americans and Maine people want Republicans and Democrats to work together to get things done. She and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, both played key roles in shaping the final bill.
"We could play a role or not play a role," Snowe said. "I chose to play a role."
As a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, Snowe worked to extend unemployment benefits, increase food stamp benefits and put more money into the state's Medicaid program. These types of steps are "undeniably stimulative" and will help those most in need during the recession, she said.
In addition, she worked on several small business initiatives that include the extension of immediate tax deductions for the depreciation of investments, a reduction in tax withholding, and a new business stabilization loan program.
Snowe said she worked with the Obama administration to find the right size package to make a difference without including extra pet projects. She said she gave his staff a list of items she did not want in the package because they would not stimulate the economy.
"This was a stimulus bill, not an omnibus budget bill," she said. "People found it convenient ground for inserting all their personal preferences."
On Tuesday, Gov. John Baldacci signed an executive order that details how the stimulus money that comes to the state will be managed. Department heads will be required to report to legislative oversight committees about how they plan to spend the money before Baldacci signs-off on the expenditure.
He said in a statement that the stimulus gives the state a chance to "create jobs, avoid layoffs, make much-needed improvements in our state's infrastructure and invest in education."
Snowe said states will be expected to spend the money quickly to get the economy moving again. And, she said the stimulus money will need to be used in conjunction with a recovery in the financial sector.
Specifically, banks need to begin lending money again and the problem of how to deal with foreclosures needs to be addressed, she said.
Snowe said she's ready to move on from the stimulus debate and noted that she and Collins are part of a dying breed of centrist politicians.
"The margins are narrow and there are few in the center," she said. "We are a reminder that's where the solutions can emerge. That's where a majority of Americans are. That's where most Mainers are."
Susan Cover -- 620-7015
scover@centralmaine.com
On the Web:
See video of an interview with Sen. Olympia Snowe at kjonline.com.
Stimulus highlights for Maine
* $470 million in additional federal Medicaid dollars
* $196 million for education, public safety, and school repairs
* $43 million for the Weatherization Assistance Program
* $27.5 million for the State Energy Efficiency Program
* $116 million in additional money for food stamp benefits
* $37.5 million to school districts to help disadvantaged children
* $11 million to the state for school improvement grants
* $53 million for special education
* $133 million for highway investments
* $50 million for water and sewer infrastructure
* 17,000 Maine families will be eligible for a new college tax credit
* Temporary suspension of taxes on unemployment benefits will help more than 33,000 Mainers.
Source: Office of Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.
Follow Susan Cover's political coverage in her On Maine Politics blog at kjonline.com.
Reader comments
Click here to view or add reader comments