After months of talking, the voters finally had their say Tuesday, and their message is clear: Maine Republicans once again can set the state’s agenda.

The party comes out of the election with a re-elected governor, firm control of the state Senate and a narrowed margin in the House. Just as they did after the election of 2010, Republicans have the power to take the initiative in determining the direction the state will take. Democrats can block GOP efforts if they hold together, but the minority party cannot push through its ideas without significant Republican support.

At this point, it’s clearer what won’t happen than what will. Accepting federal funding to expand Medicaid eligibility to up to 70,000 state residents appears to be out of the question. The issue dominated the last two years of legislative business and was a centerpiece of Democratic U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud’s campaign for governor. Gov. Paul LePage has labeled the program “medical welfare,” and his victory just about settles the question.

The same is true for an increase in the minimum wage, which passed the Democratically controlled Legislature but was vetoed by LePage. And forget about government-backed alternative energy, or increased state aid to cities and towns.

Which doesn’t mean that the problems that those programs would have addressed have gone away. Tens of thousands of Mainers still don’t have health insurance. Thousands of others are working full time but live in poverty. As our paper mills close, we have no plan to transition into an economic future that takes advantage of technology and Maine’s natural assets.

Despite campaign rhetoric, our job growth is weak, our wages are too low, and, after five years of economic growth, we have too many people without enough to eat, a place to live or a legitimate chance to improve themselves.

How can Maine become more prosperous? That’s the challenge for LePage and legislative Republicans. They have a chance to address the economic weaknesses that have prevented Maine from keeping pace with its neighbors. How do they propose to help businesses grow, create jobs and improve people’s lives?

Democrats are not bystanders in this process, and they should not rubber-stamp policies with which they disagree. The margin of victory in the governor’s race was impressive, not overwhelming. We are still a sharply divided state, and Democratic legislators should continue to represent the people who sent them to Augusta.

So Republicans are in the position to propose and shepherd their agenda, just like they were in 2011, after LePage swept in for his first term with majorities in both the House and Senate.

The GOP’s loss of both bodies in 2012, however, should be a reminder to Republicans that overreaching has its consequences, and that turns like these may not last long.

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