Talk about contrasts. That’s what two different events offered on Tuesday and Wednesday in the Hall of Flags at the State House.

On Tuesday the hall was full of hunters, guides, stuffed bears, animal skins, all kinds of hunting displays and booths, and free food (such as chili made with deer meat).

Gov. John Baldacci was the top speaker for the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, talking against a Nov. 2 referendum at which voters will be asked if they want to outlaw bear baiting in Maine.

SAM says the referendum is an attack on all hunting.

The out-of-state Humane Society, which is paying for the campaign, counters that it merely wants to stop hunters and guides from grooming bears for death by constantly planting jelly doughnuts and other goodies for them, and then shooting them.

Surrounded by hunters, Baldacci pointed out that Maine’s bear population is healthy and growing, and that bear hunting is important to the economy. The overall message of the day – known as Fin, Fur and Feather Day at the Legislature – was hunter welfare.

In contrast, Wednesday’s message in the Hall of Flags was all about animal welfare.

The speaker was “M*A*S*H” television star and animal activist Loretta Swit, who flew from California to urge passage of a bill to allow taxpayers to donate money on their income tax forms to have stray cats and dogs neutered and spayed. Low-income Mainers love their pets but can’t afford the operations, she said. That leads to overpopulation; more than 8,000 unwanted pets are euthanized in Maine each year.

Facing the cameras, Swit – who looked much the same as when she played “Hot Lips” Houlihan – said it’s time for Maine to get out of the murder business. Passage of House Speaker Pat Colwell’s proposal would have national implications, she insisted; other states would follow Maine’s lead. Swit later spoke in front of the Legislature’s Taxation Committee.

Her testimony didn’t hurt. The committee later voted unanimously to recommend passage to the full House and Senate.

Tax reform is hot

Like her or hate her, Topsham’s Carol Palesky was THE most talked about person last week after the state announced her property-tax-cut referendum will be on the June or November ballot.

On Tuesday, the Maine Municipal Association reacted, saying passage would force “drastic” choices of closing city halls or schools.

On Wednesday, several groups came out with a competing “Homestead Plus” proposal to raise the sales tax to provide property tax relief.

On Thursday, Republicans launched their tax reform plan, which would change the constitution and cap state, county and local spending at the rate of inflation.

Meanwhile the governor has yet to offer his plan. In June, the Maine Municipal Association’s Question 1A tax reform proposal will ask voters if they want the state to spend more on education. State House watchers say Baldacci’s plan will aim at taking the wind out of the MMA proposal.

While the outcome is as clear as mud, many understand that Palesky has tapped into taxpayer anger. Property tax relief has moved to center stage.

Quote of the week: “Quiet! I need quiet!” Loretta Swit, sounding like Maj. Margaret Houlihan, to the noisy crowd in the Hall of Flags.

Bonnie Washuk is the State House reporter for the Sun Journal.

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