[10] : State of Maine Department of Personnel : Report and Recommendations concerning the Recruitment and Examination Division., 1972

In 1972 Gov. Ken Curtis selected James Longley, a successful insurance agent, to lead a state government cost-cutting commission. Longley accepted the position and dedicated himself seriously to the project. The following year, his Maine Management and Cost Survey Commission released a report with more than 800 recommendations, which were projected to save the state at least $24 million. Among the recommendations was the suggestion of changing the state's university system. The report proved to be controversially with lawmakers and its recommendatiosn were largely ignored. Longley and countless other prominent citizens had spent an emormous amont of time and energy compiling the report, and its quick dismissal angered Longley. He ran for governor the following year in part because he saw through his work on the Commission various opportunities for improving the state's administartion.