2009 Maine Piglet Book

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Read the full report | The 2009 Maine Piglet Book is a joint publication of The Maine Heritage Policy Center and Citizens Against Government Waste; both are private, not-for-profit organizations focused on research and education. The 2009 Maine Piglet Book is published to educate the public about waste, mismanagement, and inefficiency in state government.

Government spending is out of control. Federal deficits are at an all-time high, and state government continues to grow in spite of a poor economy. Waste, mismanagement, abuse and fraud are all to blame for the overspending problem in Maine government.

The 2009 Maine Piglet Book shines a light on the wasteful spending in Maine. It identifies specific examples of waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayer dollars. While this is not a comprehensive list, the 2009 Maine Piglet Book identifies more than $2 billion in wasteful state spending. Examples include:

$435,224,338 – State employees: Over-employed and over-compensated (p. 9)

$192,940,000 – State money borrowed with no voter approval (p. 7)

$155,000,000 – The failed Dirigo Health program (p. 18)

$127,007,694 – “Miscellaneous” category of state spending (p. 17)

$99,428,000 – Questionable capital building project recommendations (p. 28)

$17,000,000 – Welfare for politicians (p. 31)

$11,900,000 – New 55,000 sq. foot administrative building for 116 turnpike workers (p. 24)

$6,000,000 – Bankrupt taxpayer-funded museum (p. 23)

$1,500,000 – Department of Education migrant student fraud (p. 28)

$102,000 – Three paintings for a rest stop in Kennebunk (p. 23)

$82,533 – “Bottled Water” in 2008 (p. 16)

$45,000 – New play equipment in Presque Isle (p. 30)

$40,000 – “Equipment storage in old barn” (p. 29)

$30,000 – Walkway for expo building in Springfield, Massachusetts (p. 29)

$20,000 – Support for a new production of Lerner and Loewe’s “My Fair Lady” (p. 21)

The examples of wasteful spending in the 2009 Maine Piglet Book spell out a clear message that must no longer be ignored: Government spending is out of control.