(NEWS CENTER) -- Following President Obama's State of the Union speech Tuesday night, several Maine politicians issued their statements discussing some of the key points in the President's speech.
Executive director for The Maine Center for Economic Policy, Garrett Martin, focused on the part of the speech where President Obama addressed the working class, Martin said " Our economy thrives when the middle class and those aspiring to get there can afford to buy clothes and other consumer goods for themselves and their kids, purchase homes for their families, and invest for college or retirement." Garrett praised the President saying his proposal so wisely balances tax credits for childcare, two years of tuition-free community college and tax cuts for the middle income families. Garrett stated that a working family should not have to choose between keeping their jobs or caring for a sick child and greater productivity should be rewarded with a higher wage. "This should be true in Washington and here in Maine as well," he said
Congressman Poliquin was not as eager to praise the President. Immediately Poliquin noted the President was making empty promises for the remainder of his term. He did however say he hoped the President was, President was sincere in wanting to work with Congress to pass legislation that will help our hard-working families and small businesses succeed" No matter what direction the President chooses, Poliquin said he will continue to work with his republican and democrat colleagues to fight for the best interests and needs of our Second District. He said more jobs, less debt and more freedom.
U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, echoed the voice of the people, she said people want Congress to work across the aisle to strengthen our middle class. Senator Shaheen is hopeful that the President will keep his promises he made in his speech last night, she said, "Whether it's efforts to make higher education more affordable for young people, reforming our tax code, or investing in alternative energy sources to lower costs and create jobs, Congress should now renew our commitment to growing our economy and helping small businesses succeed."
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree had a few words to say about SOTU, she stated, "The middle class issues the President talked about, like paychecks, jobs and college expenses, are the issues that working families struggle with on a daily basis. Paid sick leave, making college more affordable and closing loopholes for wealthy taxpayers should be issues that everyone can get behind."
U.S Senator Angus King, said he welcomes many of the proposals the President laid forth tonight, and like many King discusses the middle class, which Obama spent a heavy amount of time discussing. He said, "They are important contributions to a debate that Washington must have about how we support middle class Americans who want – and have earned – nothing less than the opportunity to live a life where they're not in constant fear of whether they'll be able to put food on the table, pay for vital medications, or just keep the heat and lights on. Over the past decade, that's become a faraway dream for too many people, and it's time that we recommit ourselves to working with one another to make them a priority."
