2010 Legislative Report

There are hundreds of bills introduced in the legislature each year but only select issues are addressed by the Diocese. Fundamentally, a decision to get involved in a particular issue is based on the bill’s relevancy to Catholic principles:

• Life and dignity of the human person (abortion, PAS, stem cell research, death penalty)

• Call to family, community and participation (social and economic policies that have direct impact on the quality of human life and the protection of the family)

• Rights and Responsibilities (laws that create protection of or who serve to denigrate the fundamental rights of the human person) health care

• Option for the poor (laws that serve to uplift the plight of the poor, laws that trample on the rights of the poor) welfare reform, EITC

• Dignity of work, worker rights ( bills that serve to protect worker rights, bills that negatively impact on the worker’s rights) increase in minimum wage, paid sick days

• Solidarity (bills that enhance the quality of life for ALL, foster a sense of global responsibility) immigration issues

2010 Bills Considered

Rating System

Commentary

The 2010 Legislative session was in many ways one of the most lackluster sessions in which I have been involved in years. Cautious is perhaps an appropriate description for the tone in both parties. Typical of any election year, policymakers who seek reelection become fearful that their position on any controversial issue could easily mean defeat at the polls. The action plan simply becomes one in which nothing much happens, thus insulating policymakers from criticism. Compounding this “cautious attitude” was serious concern on the part of the Democrats that Maine’s electoral would mirror the national attitude of change. Specifically, Democrats feared that Republicans will fare well in the November elections and perhaps capture control of the governor’s office and/or the Senate. The concerns may be well founded.

We approached the 2010 Legislative Session with trepidation expecting a spirit of retribution from the Democratic leadership and the rank and file as a result of our success in defeating the Same-Sex Marriage law. For the most part, our concerns were without foundation. Generally speaking, we were treated with respect, and as often the case, we were approached on a number of occasions by various groups seeking assistance on one issue or another. It was very much business as usual. Relations with the Governor’s Office were cordial and cooperative and we were able to work with him on several pieces of legislation.

The unexpected spirit of cooperation encountered during the session should not be construed as a sign that all is well. There is a strong undercurrent of resentment below the surface that exhibits itself frequently. As a result of my role in the SSM campaign, I was placed in a position where I needed to resign from long-held positions on various boards, commissions, and committees. Additionally, there is a guarded and cautious attitude towards me in meetings that I do attend which include organizations that worked in support of retaining the law. The dilemma is always whether to continue to participate despite the anxiety it fosters or to simply resign from boards and committees and ad hoc groups.

The Prognosis

What Maine politics will look like in the future is an interesting question that is difficult to estimate given the pivotal role the November elections will play. The future makeup of the House, Senate, and Governor’s Office is unknown. Making predictions at this time is nearly impossible given the number of variables in play. However, it can be said that there is a strong, prevalent opinion that this will be the year of the Republicans. There is optimism on their part that a takeover of the senate is well within reach and a takeover of the Blaine House equally possible. As mentioned previously, the Democrats are very concerned and taking heed. You can expect to see aggressive electioneering in the months ahead.

Same-Sex Marriage

The issue of Same-Sex Marriage is far from over and done with. Advocates for SSM vowed from as early on as November 4 that they would press on until they achieve victory. Several months ago, they openly stated that they were considering three options: the courts, the legislature, and the referendum process. They stated the obvious; the most viable route is another try at a legislative bill. This is the likely route although a legal challenge shouldn’t be ruled out. Not long ago those close to the courts would have insisted that the Maine courts were far too cautious and conservative to ever consider ruling in favor of Same-Sex Marriage. That is not necessarily true today given the overall climate. Although a win in the courts is still a long shot, it shouldn’t be ruled out. As concerns the legislative option, all depends on the outcome of the November election. In order for them to have a viable chance at another bite of the apple, they would need to have a significant majority in the House and a majority in the Senate and a governor who would at minimum not veto it. All three scenarios are possible but not necessarily probable. The Democrats already have a significant majority in the House and are likely to hold a significant advantage in the coming election. This isn’t the case in the Senate. The Democrats have held on to a slim majority for a number of years that could easily be reversed. As for the governor’s race, it is too early to tell and it is anybody’s guess which party and candidate is more likely to win.

We do not have data on the positions of the candidates for governor on the SSM issue. However, we do know what their positions are on civil unions since that very question was asked during a public debate held not too long ago. Of all the candidates for the governorship only two would not sign into law a civil unions bill, Bill Beardsley and Paul LePage, all others support it.

The supporters of SSM have been organized and active since the end of the campaign and quickly reestablished their goal of turning public opinion their way one person at a time. They reestablished their “community discussions” and targeted key areas of the state that were problematic in the election. We know Lewiston is one of the areas they have been active. We estimate that they will continue to be well financed by both instate and out of state sources.

Of late, Equality Maine has shifted its emphasis to the November elections. It has identified the candidates for office that are “gay friendly” in all races and are likely to invest both financial and human resources in their campaigns. Their prime emphasis will of course be the Blaine House.

Supporters of traditional marriage have, by and large, disbanded although several volunteers from the LDS church have attempted to resurrect Stand for Marriage Maine with minimal success. There are presently discussions about forming a new organization specifically to work the elections. The Church, as a 501C-3, must steer clear of any involvement in partisan politics.

The National Organization for Marriage, NOM, which heavily financed the SSM campaign, has publicly said that it will invest in the Maine 2010 elections and will work at the election of “pro-family” candidates. NOM, which is presently immersed in a court battle with the state over the release of campaign donor names, has been a major player in elections in other states. It plays hardball and has released a number of televisions spots that have been very aggressive and pointed at particular candidates. Its agenda is clearly a conservative one in the traditional political sense. Its support tends to go beyond the marriage issue into other social issues such as health care. Its presence in Maine could well reignite the SSM marriage controversy.

Other Issues

Welfare issues, health care reform, worker rights, immigration issues, etc. will be heavily influenced by the election outcomes. Our traditional values of social and economic justice are likely to be supported by a Democrat-controlled legislature but at the cost of the life issues. Conversely, a Republican-controlled legislature will be far friendlier to the life issues but generally blind to the social issues. Should there be a major shift in both houses and the Blaine House in favor of the Republicans a constitutional amendment to safeguard traditional marriage could be entertained, however, this would require a very significant shift since a two-thirds majority is required to pass a constitutional amendment.

The Catholic Response to Global Warming…

“Respect for creation is of immense consequence, not least because creation is the beginning and the foundation of all God’s work” - Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict XVI asks:

• Can we remain indifferent before the problems associated with such realities as climate change, desertification, the deterioration and loss of productivity in vast agricultural areas, the pollution of rivers and aquifers, the loss of biodiversity, the increase of natural catastrophes and the deforestation of equatorial and tropical regions?

• Can we disregard the growing phenomenon of “environmental refugees”, people who are forced by the degradation of their natural habitat to forsake it – and often their possessions as well – in order to face the dangers and uncertainties of forced displacement?

• Can we remain impassive in the face of actual and potential conflicts involving access to natural resources?

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