Political warfare between Democrats and Republicans in Augusta is threatening an important initiative to protect and improve the health of all Maine residents.

The two parties need to bury the hatchet – and not in each others’ backs – long enough to pass an amendment to the state’s Constitution that would protect money from the tobacco settlement and limit its use.

In general, we oppose amending the Constitution on issues that could and should be handled legislatively. But this case rises to the level of necessity.

The Fund for a Healthy Maine was established when the state received its share of money from the national tobacco settlement. That money was intended to fund new programs to improve the health of all the state’s residents. Smoking prevention, parental education and Dirigo Health all qualify for money from the fund, as do numerous other programs to encourage proper nutrition, fight obesity and encourage exercise.

Unfortunately, tough times have befallen the state, and money from the fund has been used to temporarily bridge gaps in the budget. It’s not just happening here. The same set of circumstances is being replayed around the country.

Maine hasn’t been as bad as other places for draining tobacco settlement money away from its intended purpose, but still almost 40 percent of the fund has been diverted. It’s got to stop.

To protect the remaining resources, a constitutional amendment has been proposed that would – to borrow a phrase from former Vice President Al Gore – put the Fund for a Healthy Maine in a lockbox, where the Legislature wouldn’t be able to reach for an easy cash fix.

The amendment wouldn’t be necessary if the Legislature were more disciplined. But, alas, they are not and it’s just too easy to spend the money instead of making more cuts to other worthy programs.

The fund is important because it helps prevent disease. Estimates show that every dollar that is spent on prevention saves as much as $7 later on in treatment.

It takes two-thirds of the Legislature to pass a constitutional amendment and then send it on to the people to ratify. Right now, it’s tangled up in the ongoing fight over taxes,

MaineCare, Dirigo Health and the budget. The knot needs to be untied.

Lawmakers would be wise to act on this. Support for the measure goes well beyond the governor. Polls indicate that 78 percent of Mainers support protecting the Fund for a Healthy Maine and using it correctly. That sort of super majority shouldn’t be trifled with.

Pass this constitutional amendment and send it to the people. Enough time has been wasted by this delay.


Uneven justice


People aren’t outraged that the governor’s driver was speeding, even though the roads and weather were bad.

But they are outraged that it looks like the law has been applied unevenly. People just don’t think it’s fair.

State Police Detective James Trask was driving too fast for the conditions when he lost control of the vehicle carrying the governor. The SUV struck another car before going off the road and flipping, and both men were pretty banged up, luckily escaping serious injury.

There will be no repercussions for Trask’s driving too fast, said Maine State Police spokesman Steve McCausland. The governor even suggested the detective deserved a commendation.

Talk about a tin ear.

Trask shouldn’t lose his job, but a reprimand would be appropriate. Otherwise, it looks like the law only applies to regular people, not to those in the service of the governor.
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