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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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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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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Rep. Louis Luchini crossed the finish line near third base at Hadlock Field in 15 minutes, 1 second in the Mother’s Day 5K Road Race on Sunday May 13, 2012. He holds the course record of 14:30. Robert Gomez of Saco came in second with the timing of 15:18.

Rep. Luchini serves on the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee in the 125th legislature. For winning the race he will receive a pair of Sea Dogs season tickets and a chance to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at Hadlock Field, in Portland Maine.

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The New Balance shoes manufactured in Skhowegan that Michaud gave to Pres. Obama

Congressman Mike Michaud, Chairman of the House Trade Working Group, yesterday sent a letter signed by 18 of his colleagues urging U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to maintain existing tariffs on footwear imports in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) to ensure American companies such as New Balance can compete on a level playing field. Michaud and his colleagues sent a similar letter last year.

Vietnam, the world’s second largest footwear exporter to the U.S., is a participant in TPP negotiations and is pushing the U.S. to remove duties on footwear in the agreement. Like the footwear sector in China, Vietnam’s footwear industry benefits from government intervention, currency manipulation, and low labor standards.

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