Senator Lynn Bromley and Hussey Seating Company CEO, Tim Hussey, present annual economic report to the Maine Legislature

The Maine Economic Growth Council released its 2008 Measures of Growth in Focus annual economic report On February 26, 2008. State Senator Lynn Bromley  and Tim Hussey, co-chairs of the Growth Council, presented the report to legislative leaders. This year’s report highlights 24 indicators that measure Maine’s progress towards long-term, sustainable economic growth. 

Senator Lynn Bromley                                                    Tim Hussey

The Growth Council awards Gold Stars to indicators that demonstrate exceptional performance and assigns Red Flags to indicators that need attention. This year, the Council awarded Gold Stars to New Business Starts, Health Insurance Coverage, Conservation Lands, and Sustainable Forest Lands. The Council gave Red Flags to Per Capita Personal Income, Cost of Health Care, Cost of Energy, Local and State Tax Burden, and Transportation Infrastructure.

President Edmonds

Senate President Edmonds said, “In my experience, the Measures of Growth in Focus is the single BEST tool Maine legislators have to assess the progress of Maine’s economy – it is independent and respected by legislators for its fairness and objectivity.” She added, “This year’s report shows continued success in areas of health insurance coverage and the environment. It also shows we need to address the rising cost of energy by encouraging more energy independence technologies, we need to invest in transportation infrastructure using both bond money approved by voters and new legislation to provide funding mechanisms for an array improvements, and we need to deploy the $50 million research & development bond approved by Maine voters to attract companies, produce good jobs and grow the economy.”

Speaker Cummings

House Speaker Glenn Cummings commented, “This year’s Measure’s of Growth in Focus again highlights the need for higher education attainment. This entails making higher education affordable. This entails working with Maine high schools as well as with employers to get more Mainers pursuing higher degrees. This entails working with the Community College and University Systems to ensure that they are offering the skills today’s market place demands. Increasing access to Maine’s institutions of higher education will lead to more Maine people gaining access to better jobs and will improve the quality of life for all Maine citizens.”

MEGC Members, L to R: Senator Lynn Bromley, Tim Hussey, Steve Schley, Eloise Vitelli, Jeanne Hulit, Members not pictured: Roy Barry, Leah Binder, John Dorrer, Dana Dow, Thomas Driscoll, Sean Faircloth, Dr. Theodora Kalikow, Theodore Koffman, Alastair Macdonald, Chris Rector, John Richardson, Dianne Tilton, Stephen Von Vogt

Please see the Measures of Growth 2008, Measures of Growth 2007, Measures of Growth 2006, Measures of Growth 2005, Measures of Growth 2004 or Measures of Growth 2003 report for more details about the goals of each indicator.

Please note: Several of the indicators listed prior to the 2005 report are no longer indicators included in Measures of Growth.

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