By Senators Roger J. Katz

and Brian D. Langley

As Republican Senators, we all want Governor LePage and his administration to succeed. Yet we feel compelled to express our discomfort and dismay with the tone and spirit of some of the remarks he has made.

Were these isolated incidents we would bite our collective tongues because we are all human. But, unfortunately, such is not the case. We feel we must speak out.

We ran for this office as a proud Republicans, inspired and energized by the campaign themes of the Governor to make Maine a more business-friendly state and attract the capital investment we need to create jobs and ensure that our children and grandchildren will have the kind of opportunity and prosperity we all want for them.

We should be focused like a laser on the agenda the Governor laid out: reducing our tax burden, getting rid of unnecessary government regulation that stifles innovation and entrepreneurship, and putting into place thoughtful welfare reform. Instead, we find ourselves continually diverted, responding to yet another example of our Chief Executive picking a personal fight not worth fighting. “Government by disrespect” should have no place in Augusta and when it happens, we should all reject it.

People sent us here to work together, to find common ground whenever we can. But there can, will and should be those occasions when our honestly held positions lead us to disagree and to vigorously debate the issues of the day. It is how we manage that conflict that matters. And “how” you do something is often as important as “what” you do.

Last week, the subject was the artwork in the Department of Labor. One could argue that the Chief Executive’s position was right or wrong. But for him to announce that he would “laugh at the idiots” should they choose to engage in our honored tradition of civil disobedience is another personal attack that only serves to further lower the bar of our public discourse.

We may disagree with civil disobedience in this particular instance, but it is a fundamental right each and every one of us might engage in if we found the issue important enough.

Belittling comments, whether they come from the Governor or his opponents, have no place in Maine public life. By demeaning others, the Governor also discourages people from taking part in debating the issues of the day, worrying if not only their ideas, but they themselves as people, will be the subjects of scorn.

The issue of the day behind the artwork removal is a legitimate disagreement between the Governor and labor. When running for office, some of us did not have the support of organized labor. We may find ourselves on opposite sides of an issue or vote, but we are all working to achieve what we feel is best for our great state. We are not the enemy of labor, and labor is certainly not an enemy to us.

As Senators we observe that our President Kevin Raye travels home each weekend to Washington County, where he and his wife work long hours running their third-generation family business. We recognize that there are Washington County folks with good jobs due to their entrepreneurship.

We also watch our friend and colleague from the other side of the aisle, Senator John Patrick, return home to Oxford County where he works the third shift, often until 3 a.m., in the Rumford Mill. We recognize his dedication as he returns to Augusta, after little sleep. They sometimes disagree. But both of them—businessman and union leader—respect each other and treat each other accordingly.

As Republican Senators we refuse to question the motivation, intelligence or humanity of those with whom we disagree. We pledge to treat our fellow legislators with dignity and respect even as we engage in vigorous and passionate debate. We extend this pledge to all our fellow Maine citizens.

That is the proud tradition of our party: the party of Chase-Smith, Cohen, Snowe and Collins, as well as our Senate President Raye. We are equally confident the same will be true for our colleagues on the other side of the aisle: proud descendants of the party of Muskie, Curtis, Mitchell and our Minority Leader Barry Hobbins.

Based upon our recent positive conversations with the Governor, we have every reason to believe that he will join us in that spirit.

State Senators Katz and Langley are joined in this message by State Senators Thomas B. Saviello (Dist. 18), Chris Rector (Dist. 22), Nichi S. Farnham (Dist. 32), Earle L. McCormick (Dist. 21), Roger L. Sherman (Dist. 34), Thomas H. Martin (Dist. 25).