There were amendments offered in the name of what the voters wanted. The bill, L.D. 1820, passed by huge margins: 29-6 in the Senate; 122-18 in the House. But the amendments that followed Monday’s House vote went down in flames.

Those amendments were offered by:

• Rep. Kevin Glynn, R-South Portland, who said with polls showing voter distaste for slot machines, the state should ask voters to re-vote the issue with three choices: Do they approve of the changes being made to the referendum? Would they prefer the referendum unchanged? Do they want to repeal slots at tracks?

• Rep. Richard Woodbury, U-Yarmouth. Since many voters were voting on what they thought “were a few slot machines,” he suggested limiting the slot machines to 50. If Penn National wants more, voters would have to approve that.

• Rep. Mary Andrews, R-York, member of CasinosNo! noted that the Indian tribes were shut out of gambling expanding. Since the voters were never told that off-track betting parlors would get part of the take, she said the state should take away 2 percent from the OTBs and give it to the tribes.

The second Andrews amendment said that property tax relief is what voters are now talking about. It recommended reducing the take from the slot machine operators by 3 percent, and giving it to tax relief programs.

• Rep. Edward Suslovic, D-Portland: The two big reasons voters approved slots at tracks were to help kids go to college and seniors buy prescriptions. He recommended that the state should take the 4 percent take away from Scarborough Downs – since they weren’t in the ads – and give it to help seniors buy medicine and kids go to college.

• Rep. Deborah Simpson, D-Auburn wanted to take 1 percent of the take from OTBs and give it to the Gov. Baxter School for the Deaf Compensation Fund. And the state should reduce Penn National’s income by 4 percent and give it to state programs.

The bill and each amendment had roll-call votes, complete with House bells ringing, calling members to vote. There was a lot of bell ringing Monday night.
Bears get their bat
After coming heartbreakingly close (1-0) to winning the national college hockey title, the University of Maine Black Bears were honored Thursday by Gov. John Baldacci. After the visit, players were standing in the Hall of Flags outside the governor’s office when a bat swooped down.

Springing into action, junior forward Matt Greyeyes of Edmonton, Alberta, hit the bat with his hand on the first swing. The bat fell to the floor and was covered with a plastic-lined trash can.

“I was in my office. I heard a huge roar as if the team had scored a goal,” said Baldacci’s spokesman Lee Umphrey. Assistant Coach Campbell Blair provided an assist as Greyeyes released the bat out the front door.

Bats aren’t common in the State House.
Appreciation for Maineiacs, EL teams
Au revoir. The entire Androscoggin County delegation sent members of the Maineiacs back home to Canada March 31 with showy legislative “sentiments.” The sentiments are impressive documents, complete with the state seal and signatures of high-ranking officials, proclaiming Maine’s affection for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League based in Lewiston. Delegation members who are Maineiac season-ticket holders include Rep. Elaine Makas, D-Lewiston, who sponsored the sentiment, Rep. Lillian O’Brien, D-Lewiston, and Rep. Bob Berube, R-Lisbon.

Making this a hat-trick for teams honored, on Wednesday the Edward Little High School hockey team was in the State House being recognized for winning their second consecutive Class A state title. The EL Girls Nordic Ski Team and Girls Combined Ski Team were also recognized for winning their championships.



Quote of the week: “I like beer.” – Rep. Thomas Bull, D-Freeport, speaking in favor of raising beer tax to provide property tax relief.
Bonnie Washuk is the Sun Journal State House reporter.