Panel Backs Richardson for State Post Development

By SUSAN M. COVER Blethen Maine News Service

A legislative committee voted 12-0 Tuesday in favor of the nomination of former House Speaker John Richardson to lead the state Department of Economic and Community Development.

During a confirmation hearing in which no one opposed the nomination, the former Democratic speaker told the Business, Research and Economic Development Committee that he’s ready to help create jobs in all parts of the state.

An attorney from Brunswick, Richardson was prevented by term limits from running for the House this year.

The hearing, described by lobbyist Severin Beliveau as "the coronation of John Richardson," featured several speakers who lauded Richardson as a leader, skilled negotiator and salesman.

"I think John is capable of selling sand in the Mideast, if need be," said Vaughn Stinson, chief executive officer of the Maine Tourism Association.

Representatives of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Maine Credit Union League and Maine Bankers Association all spoke in favor of Richardson.

If approved, Richardson would replace Jack Cashman, who left the commissioner position to work in the governor’s office on economic development.

The committee questioned Richardson about his position on borrowing money, his ability to bring jobs to rural areas, and his philosophy about big versus small business.

Throughout his testimony, he said he was eager to work with the Legislature to improve the state.

"I’ll go where I think the need arises," he said. Richardson, 49, is a lawyer who specializes in personal injury litigation, labor relations and criminal defense, according to the governor’s office.

He served in the House from 1998-2006.

Ryan Low, deputy chief of staff for Gov. John Baldacci, said Richardson has long been concerned with helping businesses grow and thrive in Maine.

If confirmed by the Senate, Richardson would inherit the job of working with lawmakers on a possible merger between the economic development department and the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation.

Baldacci put the merger in his budget, but left it up to lawmakers and the new commissioner to work out the details.

The prospect of creating a Department of Commerce is still uncertain, said Sen. Lynn Bromley, D-South Portland, chairwoman of the business committee.

"The question we’re going to grapple with is, is it OK to have business growth and development and regulation in the same place?" she said.

(c) 2007 Portland Press Herald. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.