"Last month I wrote to Maine's two senators urging them to support using part of the returned federal bailout money for job creation and small business assistance in Maine and other states. I am pleased that President Obama has put forward this plan, and hope Maine's Congressional Delegation will fully support it.

"Last year, Congress authorized up to $700 billion for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) to shore up financially troubled banks and investment firms. About $290 billion has been distributed under the program. Now, several banks have repaid, or will shortly, about $116 billion. Another $317 billion is left unallocated.

"While deficit reduction is an important goal, some of the bailout money, I believe, should be directed at job creation here in Maine. American taxpayers, the true victims of our economic downturn, have waited patiently while billions of their tax dollars were handed over to some of the very institutions that got us into this fiscal mess. Simple fairness should now suggest that our struggling Maine workers, contractors, small business owners, homeowners and farmers deserve some bailout money, too. Our dire economic situation demands it."

About Rosa Scarcelli: Scarcelli, 39, Democratic candidate for governor, is the owner and CEO of Stanford Management that provides quality, affordable housing in more than 30 Maine communities. A native of Wilton, Scarcelli said she wants to use her business skills to help create a better climate in Maine for job creation and growth. She lives in Portland with her husband Thom and their three children ages 12, 9 and 8.

For more information and a press kit including bio and photos, go to www.rosaformaine.com or http://pitch.pe/25980