As the oldest state, we must put forth policies that ensure that the make-up of our population includes enough younger people to replace the baby boomers who are retiring.

The same policies that support economic growth will also attract and retain more people to live and work in our state.

We can put programs in place that will keep more of our high school and college graduates working in Maine, and help our businesses attract more workers, like the successful Live and Work in Maine.

Reforms that focus on making Maine competitive with places like New Hampshire—initiatives that provide student debt relief, lower taxes, a lower cost of energy and living, combined with good schools that produce highly skilled graduates—will signal to workers and businesses that they’re welcome. Our educational programs must align with the industries we want to grow. Our regulatory environment must encourage business growth and not make Maine a more expensive place to do business.