“I’ve heard from students across the state about their personal stories, including one student who recounted a bullying incident where his peers sicced a dog on him after a school event,” said Rep. Terry Morrison. “Leaders in our state must do everything we can to prevent these kinds of tragedies, from the State House to the playground. We can’t pretend this isn’t happening regularly in our schools.”

In a vote of 128 to 4, state lawmakers in the Maine House voted to gave final passage to a measure that would protect students from bullying in Maine schools. The bill nearly passed into law in 2011 but was sent back to the Education Committee at the last minute in the face of opposition from the Christian Civic League.

“This is an incredible victory for Maine students,” said Morrison, who sponsored the bill and has strongly advocated for it after hearing from hundreds of students and parents in his district. “We have sent a strong message to students and parents across Maine: Bullying in our schools is unacceptable and we won’t tolerate it.”

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The Midcoast Forecaster headline on May 16, 2012 reads: Cornell du Houx, Herbig resolve personal dispute out of court Read the full article that was posted at 3:10 below: article:

BRUNSWICK — Two state lawmakers-turned-lovers, Reps. Alex Cornell du Houx and Erin Herbig, have reached a private agreement to settle their legal differences.

Both legislators declined to discuss the details of the pact, which was reached late on May 11.

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Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said a Republican sponsored bill up for a vote today would gut key provisions of the Violence Against Women Act and she called on House Members to put politics aside and support a bipartisan bill passed by the Senate.

“This law was passed and renewed twice without a fight because reducing violence against women has always been something everyone can agree on, but this time Republicans in the House have decided they want to play politics with it,” said Pingree.

Since the Violence Against Women Act was passed in 1994, domestic violence crimes have dropped by more than half. The law was reauthorized twice without a partisan fight and last month the Senate again reauthorized it, with bipartisan support including the votes of Senators Snowe and Colliins.

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From Dirigo Blue: After the temporary restraining order against him was lifted yesterday, Rep. Alex Cornell du Houx (D-Brunswick) released the following statement. The order was at the request of Rep. Erin Herbig (D-Belfast), after the relationship between the two ended. The PPH reported last night that a police investigation into the matter had been closed with no further action anticipated.

Cornell du Houx’s statement:

“I’m feel very satisfied with the agreement reached and that the temporary order was withdrawn.

“Community service, military service and public service are the guiding principles that I am dedicated to. I serve and protect the people of my community as a lawmaker. I serve and protect my country an officer in the Navy.I will continue to serve and protect the people of my community, and my country now and for many years to come. I’d like to thank family, friends, coworkers and my community for their loving support.”

Mainers United Campaign Manager Matt McTighe opens the Portland field office with a full house of volunteers ready to hit the doors.

Mainers United for Marriage, the campaign to win the freedom to marry for all loving, committed couples in Maine, today officially opened new field offices in Brewer, Lewiston and Portland and re-launched door-to-door canvassing.

“Committed staff and volunteers will be knocking on doors around Maine, having one-one-one conversations about why marriage matters to same-sex couples,” said Matt McTighe, the campaign manager for Mainers United for Marriage. “Our goal is to knock on 175,000 doors and have 90,000 conversations before Election Day.”

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Today, Representative Mike Michaud announced he has signed on as a plaintiff in a lawsuit filed yesterday by Common Cause, challenging that the Senate’s use of the filibuster and the hold are unconstitutional.

“Partisanship and gamesmanship have become the norm in Congress, and the filibuster is just one example of that,” said Michaud. “The fact that one senator can singlehandedly and secretly stop a bill that would help State Veterans Homes provide care to our veterans shows just how broken Congress is. It’s time to fix it.”

A Senator may threaten a filibuster, which forces the Senate to obtain 60 votes to proceed with consideration of legislation. Although final passage of the bill only requires 51 votes, the commonplace use of the filibuster means that bills must garner the support of 60 senators before they can advance to the floor.

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Rep. Erin Herbig had the Belfast Court place a temporary order on Rep. Cornell du Houx on April 30, 2012. On May 14, 2012 her lawyer withdrew the temporary order at the Belfast County Courthouse.

Normal procedures were not followed. Usually a formal complaint is filed with the police before a temporary protection order is sought.

The following is from an article by Steve Mistler of the Portland Press Herald on May 11, 2012:

“Capitol Police Chief Russell Gauvin told The Portland Press Herald last week that Herbig never filed a formal complaint and she didn’t seek a protection order until last week.

“Steve McCausland, a spokesman for the agency, today said police had concluded their investigation on Friday and that no charges against the 29-year-old Cornell du Houx were forthcoming.

“Cornell du Houx has not been interviewed by authorities.”

Many reports listed Rep. Cornell du Houx as still being in the Marines. For the record he was commissioned into the Navy Reserves in December 2011. He serves as a public affairs officer stationed out of Bangor Maine. He conducts operational support for US Central Command (Middle East operations).

“I have served and continue to serve our country in the military since 2002 and the people of Brunswick in the legislature simultaneously since 2008,” said Cornell du Houx.

The following is News Chanel 13′s report on Rep. Herbig and Rep. Cornell du Houx on May 10,2012
The mother of Representative Cornell Du Houx is defending her son after allegations he was stalking a former girlfriend and fellow lawmaker. Representative Erin Herbig filed a temporary restraining order against Representative Du Houx, claiming he’s been stalking her since their relation ship ended this year. His mother spoke to us at News 13 and says he has received a clean bill of health from a mental health doctor and is defending her son.

Go to: http://www.wgme.com/news/top-stories/stories/wgme_vid_11817.shtml

UPDATE:
This story appeared two days later on Dirgo Blue:

Rep. Alex Cornell du Houx (D-Brunswick) sent the following statement regarding the agreement he signed along with Rep. Erin Herbig (D-Belfast). Herbig had sought a temporary restraining order on Cornell du Houx after the two ended their relationship.

“We are satisfied with the agreement reached. The temporary order will be withdrawn on Monday. I have the highest respect for Rep. Herbig.

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Rep. Cornell du Houx

The following is the report that appeared in the Portland Press Herald by Steve Mistler on May 10, 2012

The family of Rep. Alex Cornell du Houx, accused of stalking another lawmaker, makes his psychologist’s analysis public.

AUGUSTA – The family of state Rep. Alex Cornell du Houx, D-Brunswick, who is accused of stalking and threatening a female lawmaker, has released a psychologist’s report that says the military veteran is not suffering from psychological symptoms or syndromes related to combat stress.

Ramona Cornell du Houx, mother of Rep. Alex Cornell du Houx, D-Brunswick, released this counselor’s report to The Portland Press Herald on the condition that it be published in its entirety. She said the family wanted the report released to rebut contentions that he suffers from post-traumatic stress syndrome.

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“Within the scope of informal psychological assessment for counseling, Cornell du Houx did not and does not appear to be suffering from psychological symptoms or syndromes impairing his work performance or fitness for duty,” wrote Margo Bonner Thurston, a licensed psychologist from Belfast.

Read the full story at:http://www.theforecaster.net/news/print/2012/05/10/family-releases-psych-evaluation-embattled-brunswi/122064

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