A petition launched by United States Senate candidate and State Rep. Jon Hinck (D-Portland) has gone viral on the internet and has quickly garnered thousands of signatures from Mainers opposed to the LePage-backed budget. The petition cites to cuts to in services from Head Start to Drugs for the Elderly as well as diversion of tobacco settlement money from the Fund for Healthy Maine. As soon as he read the budget, Hinck knew that other Mainers would object. After discussion with fellow lawmakers, Hinck launched the online petition. In just four days, the petition has over 3,500 signers.

“This was a rapid response operation in the face of harmful cuts backed by just one party and on a very short deadline,” Hinck said. “The petition has gone viral because many Mainers are taking this budget personally. It hurts people at a very difficult time and many see it as mean spirited.”A big crowd of budget opponents filled the halls between the two legislative chambers in Augusta this morning. Many people in the crowd stopped Representative Hinck to thank him for the petition.

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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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Citizens at the State House defending the people's right for healthcare. They don't want the LePage cuts in MaineCare.

With a planned party-line budget vote today, Maine Republicans are set to take an historic action. By ratifying Governor Paul LePage’s deep cuts to important health care programs and his giant new tax breaks that mainly benefit the wealthy, they are set to make Maine’s economic policy the most ideological and extreme of any state in the nation.

“The Republicans’ actions today are both ideologically extreme and morally reprehensible,” said Maine People’s Alliance executive director Jesse Graham. “No other state in the country has cut so deep into programs for those who are suffering the most while at the same time giving such large tax breaks to those who are the most well-off.”

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Democrats presented an alternative proposal to Gov. Paul LePage’s budget that makes the necessary adjustments to bring the budget into balance. It is responsible and prevents the harmful and risky cuts implemented in the Republican proposal.

The Democratic lawmakers proposal includes a cost-saving MaineCare restructuring initiative that will deliver more efficient health care services; a cost-saving provider-fraud recovery program, and also increases funding for the state’s rainy day fund.

The Democratic legislators solution transfers $60 million in increased revenue re-projections from 2012 and 2013 budgets to help close the gap. They also provide approximately $28 million in savings initiatives, including a provider fraud recovery savings of $5 million, salary savings of $1 million, a MaineCare restructuring task force that projects a savings of $10 million, approximately $8 million in revenue transfers from other accounts, the restructuring of Health and Human Services, and other additional items.

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Heralding the economic benefit of conserving Maine’s natural resources, citizens, fishermen, sportsmen, conservationists, and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle called on the Legislature to replenish the Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) program by supporting LD 852, a $5 million bond proposal designed to help fund working waterfronts, farmlands, and forests; wildlife habitat; and special recreation lands across the state. If passed, Maine voters will have the opportunity to vote on an LMF bond this November.

“Conserving Maine’s land and natural resources is an investment in today’s jobs and tomorrow’s prosperity for our children and grandchildren,” said Senator Roger Katz, a Republican from Augusta who sponsored the legislation. “Our natural resources are what set Maine apart – they are our biggest competitive advantage. Preserving and conserving them has got to be a top priority as we develop and grow. This is a value shared by families and businesses across the state.”

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The University of New England along with city leaders and business are calling for the Legislature and Governor to support a 20 million dollar research and development bond. They made the announcement at the University of New England’s Portland Campus.

“This 20 million dollars in research and development couldn’t come at more crucial time. Maine is behind when it comes to the number of graduate students in science and engineering. We rank 50th in the nation,” said Portland Mayor Michael Brennan. “Maine is struggling to build an economic base around science and technology, this is one step in the right direction. Maine must be more responsive to needs of the technology industry. Currently, Maine spends one sixth of the New England average on research and development.”

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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.

This article appeared in the Portland Press Herald on May 14,2012:

AUGUSTA — Belfast Democrat state Rep. Erin Herbig on Monday withdrew her protection order against her former boyfriend Rep. Alex Cornell du Houx, D-Brunswick

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A temporary order filed by one lawmaker against another was dropped today, according to officials at Belfast District Court. The two Democratic representatives, Rep. Erin Herbig and Rep. Alexander Cornell du Houx reached an agreement late Friday night.

State Police had looked into Rep. Herbig’s allegations.According to the Morning Sentinel, “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.”

“I’m feel very satisfied with the agreement reached and that the temporary order was withdrawn,” said Rep. Cornell du Houx. “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.”

“She’s really happy to have the matter behind her,” Rep. Erin Herbig’s attorney, Chris MacLean of Camden, told the Bangor Daily News today.

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.

Portland city hall where the mayor has stated cuts in the state budget would hurt the city. photo by Ramona du Houx

Portland, Maine, Mayor Michael Brennan voiced concern over the proposed thirty percent cut to programs funded by the Fund for a Healthy Maine (FHM) and administered by the City of Portland. FHM, funds received by the state from the Master Tobacco Settlement, are the only dollars dedicated to prevent chronic disease and health promotion in Maine. While details are not complete, the Republican Legislative Leadership budget proposal calls for cuts of at least $250,000 to city programs specifically Healthy Maine Partnerships, school-based health centers and home visitation.

“As a legislator, I was proud to be a part of the effort to invest the monies coming from the tobacco settlement into programs that would prevent disease and help Mainers live healthy and active lives, and as Mayor, I see the direct benefit of these investments in our community,” stated Mayor Brennan. “This simple fact of the matter is that the old adage penny wise and pound foolish applies to these cuts. For every dollar the state has invested in these prevention efforts, Maine has saved approximately $7.50 in costs, the highest return of investment for any state in the country.”

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