A few years back, in order to retain talent within the system, a 3%, 11%, or 30% stipend was given to certain classes of employees. For example, GIS type of employees receive around a 30% stipend while engineers at the DEP receive an 11% stipend.
Do we need to pay a stipend to retain people in this economy?
If they are worth the funds, then bring up their pay. If not, eliminate the stipend. In these tough economic times, eliminate the stipend and save a few hundred thousand a year.

Limit government salaries to $100,000. per year. That seems like a good amount for a junior and a senior should have already have made their fortune.

Mr. Lepage you create over 400 new jobs in the state government new jobs we don't need when we have new technology, new automated software when this can be used to reduce middle and upper management that became the problem in the first place.

Conservation districts are filling a hole that is already filled by business and non-profits. They are a redundant system that gets a LOT of state, and federal money, but do very little but shuffle papers for the feds. They were created in the 20s to be a local voice for the federal govt, but somewhere along the line although they are a non-profit they also became a quasi-state agency as well. They get tens of thousands of dollars of state funding per year and do little to help the state. Cut or eliminate them.

Better service at a lower cost could be realized by combining the Augusta Eastside and Westside Wellness Centers. The cost savings from not staffing the Westside facility would more than offset the cost of adding badly needed space to the existing Eastside facility. Staff levels at the Eastside facility appear more than adequate to handle the additional space and equipment that would be transferred from the Westside.

Governor LePage if I could tell you of a state that has a hunting season and employs a biologist responsible for that bird, what would you think?(Efficient or not?) Maine has a season for Bob White Quail, without having and Quail and not putting them out like they do Pheasants. What other unneeded job are there, and who is looking into reducing the waste!

I'm a new resident of Maine, my wife and I have been here for over a year now.We are registered to vote and do so.My problem is I don't understand why we have so many legislatures.If you compare our population to another comparable state let's say Delaware.They have 54 legislatures, we have 151 legislatures.Being a larger state is just a poor excuse.What are all of them doing? Mr.govenor you must see were the real problem is to many chiefs for the small amount of people.

All state buildings should not be using Air Conditions in all their buildings. This is very expensive and drives up cost.

Currently it is far too difficult to start and run a small business in Maine. I have been open for a year now and am still finding out about regulations and things I have to do or should have been told about. The amount of fees and departments I have to deal with is ridiculous... Lets make the process simple and streamlined.

All State offices should have recycling bins for paper, plastic, glass and other materials (aluminum etc.). There is a huge amount of waste/trash that is paid for to dispose of that could be recycled instead. Many schools in the area have decreased their waste costs by half by starting to recycle and compost. How is this not out there already? Each floor in each state building should have recycling bins. It's just common sense.

The State Of Maine has a HUGE number of buildings in the Augusta area, Utilize these buildings for ALL staff meetings, STOP renting Banquet facilities at local Hotels and Convention Centers. Stop the high-end catering. NO meetings/trainings off premesis, say at the Samoset etc. This is entirely too costly in such tight financial times. If they require foods/snacks, Dont laugh, send someone accross town to get doughnuts and danishes from Sams Club. Stop providing individual bottled waters, those of us who work in or those who live in Augusta drink the town water, it wont kill public servants either.

This would make would make capital for the local towns and drive investors into the local area. It also should not be broker driven only, but open to the public. This can be done at a local town auction.

The overtime is wasted; Most suck up the overtime and simply chit chat with their neighbors, listen to music, surf the web. It is a crime that so many are getting paid overtime to simply fill their seats. You need to get better management and stop the waste. Most spend the day listeneing to their ipods.