Pro-business group rates Sen. Sherman strong in support of Maine economy

    AUGUSTA – State Senator Roger Sherman (R–Aroostook County) racked up a very strong voting record in the 123rd Legislature, according to an analysis by the Maine Economic Research Institute (MERI). His rating of 93 out of a possible 100 during the second session of the 123rd legislature put him in the top rank of legislators who voted consistently in favor of a strong Maine economy.
    At the end of each Legislature, MERI grades lawmakers on their votes over two years on bills affecting job creation, health insurance, taxation and other important economic issues. There were 17 such bills in this latest analysis. In calculating a legislator’s score, MERI also factors in the results of interviews with 90 government affairs professionals who represent businesses and consumer groups in the State House. MERI, based in Augusta, is a nonpartisan organization whose directors and advisory committee members represent all parts of the political spectrum.
    In an interesting averaging of all MERI scores over the careers of all legislators since the inception of the MERI reports, the Alliance for Maine’s Future found his composite career score of 87 to be one of the highest of all currently serving state senators,
    “We must improve Maine’s business climate so that we can earn decent wages which in turn can help us fund those services that we all want and need in state government,” Senator Sherman said.