NEWPORT — Gov. Paul LePage said Thursday state government continues to be too big and too expensive, and part of the problem is the state work force.

“The problem is middle management of the state is about as corrupt as can be,” he said.

LePage made the comments during a town hall meeting at Nokomis Regional High School. A questioner wanted to know why there are so many fees to get a cosmetology license in the state; the governor said it’s because lawmakers through the years needed to find more ways to pay for larger government.

He said while he can control appointed state workers, such as his commissioners, he has little power to bring change to protected workers in middle management or unionized state employees.

He told those in the audience that while Republicans made progress in the last two years, voters need to be careful about the decisions they make in November when choosing new lawmakers.

“I urge everyone to talk to their candidates,” he said. “Keep their feet to the fire. Whether you’re a Democrat or Republican, we need to get the work done in Augusta.”

It was LePage’s 15th Capitol for a Day town hall meeting, a series he started shortly after becoming governor. A visit to a Kennebec County town for the final installment of the 16-county series probably will be held in June, his spokeswoman Adrienne Bennett said.

About 50 people came to the event, significantly fewer than other town halls that have drawn 200 or more. Noticeably absent were LePage opponents — the 61 percenters — who typically stand outside town halls with protest signs and ask pointed questions. LePage was accompanied by five members of his Cabinet, including the heads of the departments of labor, transportation, and human services.

One audience member asked about a welfare program that provides funds to Mainers to pay for car repairs. He said some repair shops have seen those on welfare get money from the state based on a car repair estimate, then never come in to get the work done.

Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Mary Mayhew said she has her fraud unit looking into that situation, and problems with other welfare programs.

“Who receives the money?” she said. “How are we handling the delivery of the money? It’s a level of concern about the overall management of these programs we are taking a look at.”

While talking about education, the governor said schools have “failed miserably” in the last 20 years to prepare all students for the work force. He said he has offered to help teachers get better training by providing additional funds for professional development if the teachers union kicks in funds as well.

“I’ve made the offer three times and I’m still waiting for an answer,” he said.

Susan Cover — 620-7015

scover@mainetoday.com