Issues
2020 Vision for Maine’s Economy
Pat McGowan was born in Bangor and has lived in Maine his entire life. He comes from a family that has operated several small businesses in Central Maine. Like most Mainers, Pat’s family has a “can do” attitude and they pride themselves on their strong work ethic and their ability to think beyond today, looking for success in the weeks and months ahead. As Maine continues the slow process of recovery from the most severe recession since the Great Depression, this state’s next Governor must possess that “can do” spirit and look beyond the immediate problems with a clear vision for success.
2020 Vision for Energy Self Reliance
Our country is at a crossroads regarding energy production and consumption. We currently use a great amount of energy to heat our homes, power our businesses, and fuel our vehicles. At the same time, we are heavily reliant on energy sources that are finite and financially unpredictable. Because of Maine’s rural geography and cool climate, our state is especially energy dependent, and we collectively export millions of dollars each year out of state and overseas. These energy challenges create an opportunity for bold leadership, and Pat McGowan has the clearest plan – a 2020 Vision – to move Maine toward energy self reliance within ten years through increased conservation, expanded local generation, and investments in innovation.
2020 Vision for Education
In 2020, Maine will celebrate the 200th Anniversary of its statehood. In order to prepare today’s students for the world that will exist in 2020 and beyond, Maine must continue to work toward funding 55% of statewide education costs, but it also must focus on improving the quality of the education being provided to our state’s students. Change is necessary and targeted investments are essential. Pat McGowan has the clearest plan – a 2020 Vision – for improving student achievement and making Maine’s education system the most innovative and successful in the country.
2020 Vision for Health Care Reform
This year, the federal government passed sweeping health care reform legislation. Because of progressive policy actions in the last ten years, Maine is well positioned to take advantage of these federal reforms for the benefit of its citizens. Ten years in the future, the health of Maine citizens, and the health of the Maine economy, will depend on how swiftly the next governor acts to seize this opportunity. Pat McGowan has the clearest plan – a 2020 Vision – for expanding health insurance coverage, controlling costs, and improving quality.
2020 Vision for Tax Reform
Pat McGowan understands Maine’s current tax system from both the private and public perspective. He is a lifelong Mainer and has run several small businesses in central Maine, so he has experienced the burden our tax system places on families and businesses. When he was 23, he was elected to the Maine Legislature and spent several years on the state budget committee – he has seen first-hand how revenue volatility adversely impacts the essential services Mainers demand. As Governor, Pat’s tax policies will accomplish three goals – modernizing Maine’s outdated tax system, lowering the burden on families and businesses, and reducing revenue volatility.
2020 Vision for Government and Political Reform
Pat McGowan comes from a family of public servants - his mother was the first woman on the editorial board of the Waterville Sentinel and his father was a legislator. Pat proudly represented rural Somerset County in the Maine House of Representatives and served as Commissioner of the Department of Conservation.
Natural Resources
Conservation has been a defining element of Pat’s public service. When he was in the Legislature, Pat sponsored the Lands for Maine’s Future bill, which has put thousands of acres of Maine’s most beautiful places into permanent conservation. As Commissioner of Conservation, Pat has added even more special places to the public trust, including Katahdin Lake, which fulfilled Governor Baxter’s vision for his state park. When Pat came into office, only 6% of Maine lands were in conservation. When he left, 18% were. Pat will continue to defend the state’s balanced approach to its natural resources, conserving selected lands, protecting working forests and promoting recreational use. He’s been working on these issues for 30 years, and his work as a conservationist will continue.
Women's Issues
Patrick McGowan has been at the forefront of issues that matter to women and families for over three decades. He has devoted much of his career to making the lives of Maine and New England better. He has sponsored legislation to fund domestic violence prevention programs, family planning, and access to capital and employment opportunities for women.
Pat’s upbringing in central Maine greatly informed his view of women’s issues. Pat’s mother, Ann McGowan, is a strong advocate for women’s issues and was the first woman to serve on the Central Maine Morning Sentinel's editorial board as well as the first woman to manage the Sentinel's news operation. These childhood experiences not only influenced Pat, but also his sisters. Jill and Jolene McGowan own and operate successful women’s clothing design and manufacturing business in southern Maine with national and international clientele. Jennifer McGowan has served at a high level employee of the Maine House of Representatives for many years. His sister Jean is a mother, writer and entertainer in Portland, Oregon.
When Pat was elected to the Maine Legislature at the age of 23, he took his strong commitment to women’s issues to the State House. In the 1980’s, he sponsored the very first “Victim’s Bill of Rights,” which provided expanded protections and remedies for women and families who were victims of crime. As a member of the powerful Appropriations Committee, he used his position to help secure essential funding for family planning services. This legislative effort earned Pat an award for distinguished service from Planned Parenthood of Northern New England.
When Pat was named as the New England Regional Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration by President Clinton, he continued his advocacy on behalf of women in Maine and across the New England region. During his tenure at the SBA, Pat led an effort to greatly expand lending to women and minority owned businesses. His New England office led the nation in its assistance and support of such businesses for many years during the Clinton Administration. His years as a senior high ranking federal manager resulted in several prominent women advancing to senior management positions. As Conservation Commissioner, McGowan helped place over 1 million acres of land in permanent conservation. Two of McGowan’s daughters are registered Maine Guides taking tourists to visit Maine’s most special places. He has helped many women shatter the glass ceiling and step into senior level management positions in both State and Federal Government.
As Governor, Pat will continue to rely on talented and capable Maine women, to help lead his administration, and he will continue working toward equality and equal opportunity. He will work to expand access to the capital that Maine small businesses and entrepreneurs need to start and grow their businesses. He will support access to quality, affordable, and comprehensive health insurance for all Mainers – including full access to family planning services. Pat will also focus on educational issues, promoting innovative educational programs such as experiential learning and providing greater flexibility to communities in complying with Maine’s school district consolidation law.
In sum, Pat will make a great Governor – for women and for all the citizens of Maine – he has a proven track record and his vision is clear.
“I worked with Pat McGowan during the largest expansion of the US economy in the past several decades. Most of those jobs were created by small and medium sized businesses. Pat knew how to help those businesses because he had owned and started several of them. My job was to help women owned businesses across the country, and his region in New England led the country in assisting woman and minority owned businesses for several years. He gets it better than anyone that I have worked with. He will be a great Governor for Maine."
Betsy Myers, former Director of the White House Office of Women’s Initiatives and Outreach, COO of Obama for America, and Chair of Women for Obama
"As an advocate for Maine women and their families, a municipal leader, and a property owner, I want a Governor who will support the success of Maine people, bolster our economy, and treasure our most precious places. Pat is a leader who can do those things. Raised on a farm by a hardworking family with longterm Maine roots, I care about honesty, integrity, and fairness. I'm supporting Pat McGowan for Governor because he shares those values."
Charlotte Warren, Mayor, City of Hallowell
