| Well! That makes it sound as if only bills directly affecting the economy are being worked upon this session- that this one bill would be sucking all of the life force and energy out of the entire working Legislature.
So let's see what else they're working on in Augusta to help the economy along. From same article, (which was hidden on page "B3" with the title "Making appointments palatable to the public", making this a virtual Easter egg hunt):
A bipartisan group of legislators is sponsoring a bill to avoid an Illinois-style political brawl over how to fill vacant U.S. Senate seats.
State Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Windham, is the primary sponsor of "An Act to Require a Vacancy in the Office of United States Senator to be Filled by Election."
The release of the bill in Maine comes just days before the start of the impeachment trial of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Diamond's bill would require Maine to hold a special election within 60 days of a Senate vacancy. As it is now, the governor has the power to fill the vacancy until the next general election.
The most recent example of a gubernatorial appointment in Maine was in 1980 when Gov. Joe Brennan appointed George Mitchell to fill a vacancy created when Ed Muskie became Secretary of State.
"We've never had any trouble in the state of Maine," Diamond said. "It's a policy question that needs to be discussed and debated by the Legislature."
STOP. WHOA. Lemme get this straight...
Illinois has a serious legal and political quagmire, so we have to waste time to make sure Maine doesn't suffer the same fate some day- and the only example of a Maine governor appointee they can come up with involves BOTH George Mitchell and Ed Muskie??
Are you fucking KIDDING me??
And look who is wasting his time on this ridiculous bit of legislation- why, it's Josh Tardy.
Josh Tardy, Josh Tardy... oh, WHY does that name sound so familiar?
Oh yes, now I remember. It was Tardy who first declared that he was going to sponsor a bill opposing Sen. Damon's marriage equality bill!
House Minority Leader Josh Tardy, R-Newport, a co-sponsor, said he agreed with those in Illinois who called for a special election.
"From my experience in Maine politics, I have no concern we'd ever have a Blagojevich-type scandal," he said. "But, at the same time, people elect the delegation to Congress and the Senate. The people should have the power."
So even though he freely admits openly that he doubts it will ever be an issue in Maine, Josh Tardy still thought preventing Blago-politics was a more pressing issue than his previously firm stance against gay marriage?
Why isn't Dean Scontras screeching bloody murder over THIS?
Okay, so what other timely bills are being suggested? Try these- and brace yourself:
Rep. Jon Hinck, D-Portland, wants to restore the right of all people to dry their clothes outside.
He's sponsored a bill that would prohibit housing developments or building managers from adopting rules to prevent residents from putting up clotheslines or other equipment used to dry clothes outside.
"Harvesting solar energy involves both newer technologies, like solar panels, and basic, simple and ancient tools, like clotheslines," Hinck said. "Regardless, no one should block the right to use and enjoy our place in the sun."
Okay, stop giggling- this is earth-shattering serious stuff here!
What else have we got?
Rep. Jane Crosby Giles, R-Belfast, has submitted a bill to license commercial painters.
Anyone who paints the exterior or interior of buildings for money would need a license, and would be required to carry commercial liability insurance and workers' compensation.
Wait a minute. Are you kidding- Clotheslines and Painters??? WTF???
Again, why isn't Scontras sh*tting kittens over these??
Is there anything ELSE going on in Augusta?
The full Legislature is expected to vote on the supplemental budget, which is designed to cover a $140 million revenue shortfall in the budget year that ends June 30.
Gee, maybe we wouldn't have such a fucking big shortfall if we were using such a broken system of accounting. I mean, just how BADLY broken an abacus are they using to make a $22 million fuck-up???
I seem to remember reading this article about how much monies are generated by same-sex marriages. So I may be from and live in Maine, but even I can tell the difference between a snowball and a "snow job."
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