SANFORD — Gov. Paul LePage said he “got kicked in the knees” by the business community over Right to Work legislation he favors and called an amendment being considered a compromise.

At the same time, the governor, in town Friday to address the annual meeting of the Sanford Springvale Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development, urged the business community to get involved in government.

“Please, please call your legislators and ask for pro-business bills and try to get your voice heard in Augusta,” LePage said at the breakfast meeting.

More than 150 business people turned out for the event.

LePage spoke for about 30 minutes on a range of topics close to his heart: Regulatory reform, welfare reform, tax reform and pension reform.

“It is not with pride or glee or happiness we need to look at pension reform,” said LePage, quoting a $6.4 billion unfunded liability.

“It is the fault of the teachers or the state? No,” said LePage. Instead, he laid the blame at the door of the unions and the legislature, whom he said gave away “the kitchen sink.” If Maine does nothing, the pension fund will go broke, he predicted.

He said two bond rating agencies, Moody’s and Standard & Poors, won’t downgrade Maine’s rating this year and but that they raised three issues ”“ an empty rainy day fund, the need for pension reform and cash flow ”“ “Maine has no cash,” said LePage.

He hailed passage of a new bill that allows Mainers to purchase health insurance from out-of-state vendors.

“Maine People’s Alliance said we’re going to kill the old people because (health insurance) will become unaffordable,” said LePage. But he said reforms will make health insurance more affordable for everyone.

He called Dirigo Health, a program begun by his predecessor, John Baldacci, a “good idea to try,” but claimed the plan failed because it did nothing to lower the cost of health insurance.

The governor said he believes good business involves being a good steward of the environment and removing red tape so businesses can get through permitting processes quickly.

After the session, Charlie Plante, who operates an excavation and paving business, said he likes what he heard, particularly when it comes to the Department of Environmental Protection.

“I’m with him 100 percent,” said Plante. “DEP can crush you.”

The governor spoke about energy policy and said steep electric costs are preventing companies from locating in Maine.

He said he’s not against wind, tidal, nuclear or hydroelectric power but said it has to come at a lower cost. He said hydropower comes with the least impact and pointed to Quebec and Atlantic Canada, where hydropower is abundant. And he said Maine has to look at nuclear energy.

LePage said Democrats speak as one voice in Augusta, and said Republicans need to work in unison, especially on the larger issues.

Senate Majority Leader Jonathan Courtney, on his home turf in Sanford, following the session said lawmakers in Augusta have to work together, and he pointed to the health insurance reform bill, where three Democrats voted with Republicans on the measure.

As to Right to Work legislation, LePage referred to an amendment being offered to LD 309 that that would prohibit the requirement of payment of a service fee to a union as a condition of public employment. The bill will likely move to a public hearing in early June, said Lance Dutson, spokesman for House Speaker Robert Nutting.

LePage had hoped for a broader Right to Work bill.

“No one in the business community would come to the plate,” said LePage who cautioned that if New Hampshire’s Legislature approves their own Right to Work measure, Maine will suffer.

“It will be nearly impossible,” to attract companies to Maine, he predicted.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 or twells@journaltribune.com.