AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) – Gov. John Baldacci on Monday will continue signing legislation that was enacted during the session that ended April 30, as he puts his name on a bill to determine to what extent Maine jobs are impacted by international trade policies.

The bill sponsored by House Speaker Patrick Colwell authorizes what the Gardiner Democrat calls the first significant legislative study of the effects of pacts such as the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, on Maine.

Supporters of the legislation say that since 2000, Maine has lost more than 11,000 jobs due to outsourcing and imports.

Bill to promote neutering awaits funding

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) – An animal welfare bill that prompted testimony in Maine from “M.A.S.H.” star Loretta Swit has been signed into law by Gov. John Baldacci.

The new law will create a state fund to help low-income Mainers pay for spaying or neutering of their dogs and cats to curtail overpopulation of pets.

Most of the money will be raised through a voluntary checkoff on Maine individual income tax forms, which would allow taxpayers to donate a portion of their refunds.

Swit, who played Maj. Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on the long-running television series, spoke in favor of the legislation in Augusta during this year’s session.

Swit said Maine would set an example for the rest of the country by enacting the legislation, which was signed into law Thursday.

Indians to get special license plates

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) – Maine Indians will be able to get specially designed license plates under a bill that’s been signed into law by Gov. John Baldacci.

The bill creates a process to issue a special registration plates to members of the Wabanaki Confederacy by Nov. 1, 2005. The law identifies Wabanakis as members of federally recognized tribes in Maine.

The state and Wabanaki Confederacy will determine a design for the Wabanaki plates and the Legislature’s Transportation will review the final design before the plates are produced. Vanity Wabanaki plates will also be available.

AP-ES-05-09-04 1323EDT