State Rep. Jon McKane (R-Newcastle) has been honored for his support of policies to create and preserve jobs and help build a vibrant Maine economy. He also has been recognized for his commitment to protect Maine's environment during the first session of the 123 rd Legislature.

The second-term Republican received a "very strong" legislator rating by the Maine Economic Research Institute (MERI), a non-partisan organization based in Augusta. McKane represents Edgecomb, Newcastle, Damariscotta, Bristol, South Bristol, and Monhegan Island. This rating represents a likelihood of 75 percent or greater of championing the position on economic and business legislation favored by most free-enterprise advocates.

Legislative roll call votes affecting Maine's economy were used in the rating process. These bills addressed such critical economic issues as education initiatives, tax policies, cost of doing business in Maine, economic development, health care and insurance costs, transportation and more.

"It is clear that we must continue to work on Maine's economic challenges," said Rep. McKane. "Our current problems of having the highest tax burden in the country, some of the lowest incomes in the country, and health insurance costs that are higher than those in almost every other state are a recipe for economic disaster. If Maine continues down this track, the state will keep on losing more and more of its young people."

Rep. McKane received an outstanding five out of five score from the Maine League of Conservation Voters (MLCV) in their 2007 Environmental Scorecard for legislators. He also backed additional proposals supported by the MLCV that were not included in the scorecard.

"Protecting significant wildlife habitat while addressing the needs of landowners was a priority to me this session," Rep. McKane said. "I am pleased that the Legislature worked together in passing compromise legislation that set reasonable environmental standards."

Five pieces of legislation monitored by the MLCV were used in the organization's rating process. Those issues include the control and prevention of invasive plant in-festations, phasing out the use of the toxic flame retardant Deca, issuing a natural resource bond that includes $17 million for the Land for Maine's Future program and $5 million for riverfront community development, requiring the replacement of trees cut in shoreland zones and allowing Maine to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) - a ten-state project aimed at reducing global warming pollution from power plants by 10 percent below current levels.

The Maine League of Conservation Voters is an independent, non-partisan organization that works to make natural resources protection a political priority for Maine voters, candidates and elected officials. The MLCV publishes their Environmental Scorecard on an annual basis.