John.
G. Richardson
by Ramona du
Houx
On November 14,
2006, a tribute was held in honor of John G. Richardson, the speaker of Maine’s House
of Representatives for the 121st and 122nd Legislatures. He will be passing the gavel to
the newly elected speaker, Glen Cummings, on December 6, 2006. Richardson served as long
as he could with term limits in place. Those who worked with Speaker Richardson will
remember his integrity, determination, and dedication to serve the people of Maine to the
best of his abilities. Perhaps what history will remember the most is his work for small
businesses.
"I had the
idea eight years ago that we needed to reclaim the truth that the Democratic Party is the
party of small businesses. We always have been, but we needed to recapture that essential
ground," said Speaker Richardson. "Democrats are the party of the people. We
take care of families — of each other. We help promote the entrepreneurial spirit and
seek ways to help small businesses succeed."
The 122nd
Legislature unanimously passed what has been called the most significant small-business
agenda in 25 years. Legislators approved 13 pieces of small-business legislation as part
of the Democratic Small Business Initiative, a project spearheaded by Richardson and 15
other Democratic legislators.
Businesses with
fewer that 100 employees comprise 97 percent of Maine’s employers and provide jobs
for more than six out of ten workers. Almost three-quarters of the new jobs being created
in Maine are in small businesses. While Pine Tree Zones and DirigoChoice are helping,
Richardson and his group have identified other areas where state government can assist.
Bringing both
sides of the political aisle together has been a hallmark of this speaker who understands
how to accomplish the work of the people. "We embarked on listening tours that
resulted in Legislature bills being drafted," said Richardson. "We listened to
people’s concerns. We found that the resale certificate was contentious and upset
lots of small-business owners, so we got to work and changed it in ways that help the
business community. We responded."
Some of the
legislation that resulted from the business forums includes:
• Creation
of the Maine Regulatory Fairness Board, a panel made up of citizen business people, to
reduce the burden of regulations on Maine businesses
• A
directive to state agencies to assist small businesses in applying for state contracts
•
Establishment of the Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship to focus state business
assistance on that sector
•
Formation of a Consumer and Commercial Court (Richardson’s bill) to expedite court
cases filed by or against small businesses
• A bill
to make it possible for some of the state’s smallest entrepreneurs to get a resale
certificate
The Legislature
also overwhelmingly approved Gov. Baldacci’s bill to eliminate the Business Equipment
Tax as a way to encourage business investments.
Richardson
believes strongly that public service is a goal worth achieving. He is committed to
helping all the people of Maine and proved his commitment many times over as speaker.
"We’re
here to give people the tools they need to succeed," said Richardson.
"We’re here to invest in people, to listen to community concerns, to connect
with the people of Maine, so we can make laws appropriate to their needs."
Richardson
stepped in during a time of economic transition statewide.
"A lot of
the transition in the paper industry was out of the control in the Legislature. We had to
focus on growth from within, where we could make a difference — I saw that being in
small-business growth. We needed to give people the tools, so that they could control
their own destiny."
"When I
think back on these times, I’ll be satisfied that I played a small part in the
transition of this great state. Together we’ve accomplished great things. It’s
been a challenge — worth every moment," smiled Richardson. "I feel
fulfilled. We made hard, necessary changes. We passed economic development bond issues, we
invested in our people and our infrastructure, in order to boost economic activity and
create good-paying jobs.
"More
people are now covered with health insurance than ever before, more people are working
than ever before, and more are seeking higher education. We made steady progress despite
the cutbacks from the federal government and the federal unfunded mandates. The state
balanced its books and brought property tax relief to people. We stood up for what
Democrats believe in; we stood up for the people of Maine. I’m proud of what we
accomplished."
During his
first speech to the 121st Legislature as speaker of the House, John Glenn Richardson said,
"Mainers are expecting a lot from us. Let’s give them the best we have to offer.
Let’s fight hard for what we believe in, but let’s not let our zeal for
perfection stand in the way of what is possible — and necessary."
The former speaker leaves the
state office being vastly true to his father’s words, "Leave anywhere better
than you found it."
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