AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage is preparing an ambitious legislative agenda that will likely include proposals to cut the state income tax, make big changes to Maine’s welfare programs and restrict the power of public- and private-sector labor unions.

The Republican governor has said repeatedly that he would like to eliminate the state’s income tax, and in the text of his weekly radio address released Wednesday, he mentions the tax, saying, “Tax reforms, such as lowering the state income taxes, will attract companies and put money back in your pockets.”

Tuesday was the deadline for state agencies to submit bill proposals, and among them is “An Act to Amend the Tax Laws.” The bill likely won’t be drafted for some time, and LePage’s administration has not discussed details of his proposal, so it is unclear how much he might want to reduce the state income tax, which now ranges from 0 percent to 7.95 percent, depending on income.

The tax measure is among 120 bill titles submitted by state agencies that were made public Wednesday by the Legislative Information Office. Details of the pending legislation are still confidential, and the governor’s spokeswoman, Adrienne Bennett, would not comment on any of the proposals because each one is still in draft form.

Bennett said the administration will focus on four policy areas: welfare reform, state spending, energy costs and “right-sizing” state government. The bill titles suggest that the governor will advance proposals that he made during his first term — including the hyperpartisan “right-to-work” bills affecting unions — with what the administration now believes is a mandate from voters.

In the radio address, LePage said Mainers had a clear choice in the election and they chose to “keep reforming state government and to continue creating jobs.” On welfare, the governor said, “The people of Maine told us they want welfare reform, and we will do what is right for them.”

Several of the proposals could resemble legislation that the administration advanced when Democrats controlled the Legislature. Now, Republicans control the state Senate, while the Democrats retained their majority in the House.

House Speaker Mark Eves, D-North Berwick, issued a written statement that did not address any of the governor’s more controversial proposals: “We are going to be looking at every bill and ask: Does this create jobs and help our economy or will this hurt workers and families? Maine faces a jobs gap, and our first and highest priority must be working together to close it. That will be our standard of measuring success in the session.”

The Democratic majority in the House will likely fight the two right-to-work bills. Comparable proposals were rejected when Republicans controlled the Legislature in 2011 and 2012.

Right-to-work laws generally prohibit mandatory union membership, even when agreed to by employers and bargaining units. Conservatives argue that right-to-work states have lower labor costs and stronger economies. Democrats and organized labor counter that the laws drive down wages while seeking to eliminate collective bargaining.

Similar legislation in other states has been embraced by conservatives, while inciting vocal opposition from labor groups.

LePage has pitched right-to-work as a way to lure economic development to the state.

LePage’s welfare agenda is unclear from the list of bill titles. At first glance, it appears the governor might roll all of his changes into a single bill, “An Act To Reform Maine’s Welfare Programs.” However, the governor can submit legislation at any time during the upcoming session.

Bennett said Wednesday that it is safe to assume that the list of bills is only the beginning of the governor’s legislative agenda.

Many of the titles are vague. However, they suggest effects in a wide array of policy areas. Here are some examples:

• An Act To Amend and Clarify Public Charter School Laws;

• An Act To Amend Environmental Permitting Standards for Facilities in Maine;

• An Act To Encourage College Savings;

• An Act To Conform Maine Law to Federal Law Regarding Closings and Mass Layoffs and Strengthen;

Employee Severance Pay Protections;

• An Act To Protect the Privacy and Dignity of Persons Calling E-9-1-1 for Help;

• An Act To Permit Law Enforcement Officers To Use Preliminary Breath Testing Devices To Enforce the State’s Operating under the Influence Laws;

• An Act Regarding the Use of Mobile Telephones and Handheld Electronic Devices while Operating a Motor Vehicle.

The titles offer no details on the governor’s energy policy. However, he noted during his radio address that significant proposals are coming.

“Lower energy costs are vital to attracting major employers, such as manufacturers and high-tech industries,” he said. “It’s not a coincidence that states with the biggest growth are those with the lowest tax burdens and lowest energy costs.”

He also noted that he planned to further reduce the size of state government.

“The size and cost of government should not burden hard-working families,” he said. “We have been working to right-size government, but there is still more to do.”

Steve Mistler — 620-7016

smistler@pressherald.com

Twitter: @stevemistler

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