When asked last week if he’d accept a majority budget or a super majority budget, Gov. John Baldacci said he preferred a bi-partisan one, “but I’m capable of engaging in whatever style you choose.”

Republicans bristled, because the translation could mean that Democrats will again pass a budget without their support, which sours the atmosphere around here.

A majority budget is just that, which the Democrats have in the Legislature, but barely. Democrats outnumber Republicans 76-73 in the House, 19-16 in the Senate.

A super majority budget indicates support from at least two-thirds of all lawmakers, which would require Republican votes. Understandably, a budget that includes everyone leads to a positive atmosphere, which last year was lacking.

This year’s legislative leaders appear sensitive to not letting what happened last year – no property tax relief and no bonds because legislators couldn’t agree – happen again.

On Tuesday, the Democratic governor wasted no time soothing Republican feelings, insisting that he wanted a budget that both parties would support.

At a press conference later that day, new Democratic leadership – Senate President Beth Edmonds, House Speaker John Richardson, House Majority Leader Glenn Cummings and Senate Majority Leader Michael Brennan – praised the bi-partisan atmosphere, evidenced by the recent agreement on property tax relief.

Republicans negotiated in good faith, were open, honest and “moved in the center” to make tax relief happen, Cummings said.

Edmonds called the cooperation a good start. Both parties “getting along and having reasonable conversation is what people have asked us to do,” she said. It bodes well, she added, for the upcoming budget and bond negotiations.

Time will soon tell.

Sabattus lawmaker offering GOP plan

At 8 p.m. tonight at Uncle Moe’s Diner on Route 126 in Sabattus, Freshman Rep. Scott Lansley, R-Sabattus, will lay out what Republicans say is missing in the tax reform package.

Republicans want to fund 55 percent of local education costs beginning in two years, a goal voters approved in last June’s referendum. The tax reform package has a four-year timeline. Republicans would find the extra money by rolling back state spending, allowing only programs that existed in the 2002-03 budget. That means Dirigo Health “and anything else implemented since then” could disappear, Lansley said.

Republicans also want a constitutional cap on state spending and broader tax relief by combining the Circuit Breaker and Homestead programs.

Lansley, a substitute Sabattus teacher, will speak during the Sabattus Town Republican Committee meeting.

Auburn rep got married

When Rep. Deborah Simpson was called to speak at a recent caucus, she explained that her name is now “Pelletier-Simpson.” On July 31, the Auburn representative married Rich Pelletier.

While some women take their husband’s name and use their former name as their middle name, she didn’t want that.

At 42, giving up “Simpson” would be like giving up her personal identity, she said. “We had a conversation.” Both agreed to adopt the same last name, Pelletier-Simpson.

“It is unusual, but it works for us,” she said, adding that people can find his name in the phone book.

Rich Pelletier-Simpson formerly worked for the House Speaker’s Office, the pro-casino campaign and the American Coming Together chapter in Lewiston.

In addition to representing part of Auburn, Simpson works at TJ’s Restaurant. The couple and her son live in Auburn.

The first marriage for both, their union is not a mixed one. They’re both Democrats.

Quote of the week: “We’ve had people looking at this for 30 years in this building. We did it in 30 days.” – House Speaker John Richardson, talking about property tax relief.

– Bonnie Washuk is a Statehouse reporter for the Sun Journal.