Bennett: If Republicans take the Senate…

MINNEAPOLIS -- If the Republicans manage to take the state Senate this year, then with a Democratic governor and a Democratic House the state will be forced to change the way it does business, said Republican National Committeeman Richard Bennett.

Bennett was the last Republican to serve as Senate President. In 2001 and 2002, the body stood with 17 Democrats, 17 Republicans and one independent. State officials formed a power-sharing agreement, with each party taking one year in power. Bennett was president in 2002. Independent Angus King was governor.

Beyond that, Republicans have only held the majority once since 1983 – in 1995 and 1996 when Jeffrey Butland (R-Cumberland) was president.

Some Democrats claim that if the Democrats hold power in one body and the Republicans in the other, it will create a gridlock. Bennett said when he was Senate President this didn’t happen.

“It will require a change in approach, forced by the need for people to get along and agree,” Bennett said.

The recent taxes on beer, wine, soda and private health insurance for Dirigo, the state’s health insurance program would never have passed under a Republican Senate, Bennett said.

“It’s really an impulse that’s too easy among the majority,” Bennett said. “Turn on the spigot of revenues to fund whatever worthy cause. Eventually it affects the water flow.”

Reducing the size of government is a major target for state Republicans. If they are in power, people will see the state “gently applying the brakes on state spending.”