LePage’s latest comments about foreign workers called a ‘terrible example for our children’

Source: Kennebec Journal

Business and immigrant advocacy groups expressed confusion and dismay Monday over Gov. Paul LePage’s weekend remarks poking fun at the accents of foreign workers, who increasingly are playing an important role in Maine’s economy.

Alain Nahimana, coordinator of the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition, said LePage’s comments Saturday at the state Republican party convention about restaurant workers being difficult to understand was the latest example of the governor going out of his way to criticize non-native Mainers.

“The executive of a state that desperately needs more skilled workers and investors should stop making fun of people who sound different, and start embracing people who can help our state thrive,” Nahimana said. “Focusing on undermining everyone who is different from him adds nothing to this state, our people, or our economy. It also sets a terrible example for our children.”

LePage, addressing a friendly crowd of party loyalists packed inside the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, was talking about ongoing efforts to increase the minimum wage when he apparently went off script.

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Read more: http://www.centralmaine.com/2016/04/25/lepages-latest-comments-foreign-workers-terrible-example-children/