Policy forum attracts lawmakers, voters

BANGOR – About 30 people braved the predicted inclement weather Monday night to attend a progressive policy forum at University College.

The forum was sponsored by the Maine People’s Alliance and 16 other progressive groups, including the Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine and the League of Pissed Off Voters.

All Bangor-area legislators, including some from Hancock and Waldo counties, were invited, and 10 Democratic state senators and representatives attended the forum.

“The groups that are co-sponsoring [the event] have picked four issues – health care, the environment, voting reform and fair taxation,” Jesse Graham, community organizer with the Maine People’s Alliance, said Monday. “It’s a chance for us to meet these legislators and hear how they stand on these issues.”

Discussed at the forum were proposed bills on lead poisoning prevention, full financial disclosure by hospitals and health care organizations, election reform and greater accountability of Business Equipment Tax Rebate Expenditures.

Members of the audience listened quietly, some knitting, as an expert presented each proposed bill and the legislators responded briefly.

“I’m here to talk about an old problem in need of new solutions,” Mike Belliveau, executive director of the Environmental Health Strategy Center, said of the proposed bill to educate against lead poisoning. “There’s probably 20,000 kids in Maine exposed to harmful amounts of lead.”

All legislators present said they would likely support such a bill.

Rep. Robert Duchesne, D-Hudson, who introduced himself as being “from the league of pissed-off legislators,” said that the lead issue is not just a poor person’s problem.

“The federal government really doesn’t kick in much money for this, if any,” Duchesne said. “The nationwide issue has tragically been passed to us and we’re just going to have to deal with it.”

Dr. Sara Stalman presented the next issue, a proposed bill that would require full financial disclosure by hospitals and health care organizations, including CEO salaries and benefit packages.

The legislators were either in support of or undecided on this matter.

“I like the sounds of this bill,” Sen. Joseph Perry, D-Bangor, said. “I think we have a right to this information, and I’m looking forward to seeing this bill.”

A complicated-sounding proposed bill on fusion voting, an election reform technique, also was discussed.

“The aim of fusion voting is … to encourage greater and more meaningful electoral representation,” said Scott Ruffner, chairman of the Maine Progressive Caucus.

Many of the politicians present said they would need more education on fusion voting, which apparently would make it easier for third parties to be counted.

“We’re wasting a lot of talent out there if we don’t include the ideas and thoughts of other groups,” Rep. Mike Dunn, D-Bangor, said.

Rob Brown of the Maine Citizen Leadership Fund spoke out against the practice of businesses “double-dipping” for tax rebates, the final matter discussed.