Changes

{{Officeholder/governor

{{Officeholder/governor

|state=Maine

|state=Maine

|terms=January 8, 2003 – Present

|terms=January 8, 2003 – January 5, 2011

|preceded=Angus King

|preceded=Angus King

|former=n

|former=n

|succeeded=

|succeeded=Paul LePage

}}

}}

{{Officeholder/representative

{{Officeholder/representative

}}

}}

'''John Elias Baldacci''' (born January 30, 1955) is the current [[Governor]] of [[Maine]] and a member of the [[Democratic Party]], having been elected in 2002 and reelected in 2006. Baldacci began his political career when he was elected to the Bangor City Council at the age of 23. Baldacci would go on to serve in the Maine Senate for twelve years until his election to the [[U.S. House of Representatives]] to replace [[Olympia Snowe]]. <ref>http://www.biographybase.com/biography/Baldacci_John.html</ref> He served on the House Agriculture Committee and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

'''John Elias Baldacci''' (born January 30, 1955) is the former [[Governor]] of [[Maine]] and a member of the [[Democratic Party]], having been elected in 2002 and reelected in 2006 and superseded in January 2011 by [[Paul LePage]]. Baldacci began his political career when he was elected to the Bangor City Council at the age of 23. Baldacci would go on to serve in the Maine Senate for twelve years until his election to the [[U.S. House of Representatives]] to replace [[Olympia Snowe]]. <ref>http://www.biographybase.com/biography/Baldacci_John.html</ref> He served on the House Agriculture Committee and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

As Governor Baldacci signed a government-subsidized health coverage program called Dirigo Health. Baldacci projected 30,000 Mainers would join the program by the end of 2005, when it was only 8,000. <ref>http://www.whorunsgov.com/Profiles/John_E._Baldacci</ref> The program cost $19.5 million and has failed to create the revenues it expected. <ref>http://www.opinionjournal.com/cc/?id=110007973</ref> Baldacci has asked insurance companies to fund the government program. <ref>Almanac of American Politics, 2008 edition, National Journal</ref> Maine currently has a $200 million budget shortfall <ref>http://www.mainegripes.com/mg/?p=22</ref>  

As Governor Baldacci signed a government-subsidized health coverage program called Dirigo Health. Baldacci projected 30,000 Mainers would join the program by the end of 2005, when it was only 8,000. <ref>http://www.whorunsgov.com/Profiles/John_E._Baldacci</ref> The program cost $19.5 million and has failed to create the revenues it expected. <ref>http://www.opinionjournal.com/cc/?id=110007973</ref> Baldacci has asked insurance companies to fund the government program. <ref>Almanac of American Politics, 2008 edition, National Journal</ref> Maine currently has a $200 million budget shortfall <ref>http://www.mainegripes.com/mg/?p=22</ref>