While the State House is often a busy place, busy doesn’t begin to describe all that was going on Tuesday.

So many people were here that extra security staff were called in.

In the Hall of Flags, there were booths, foods and speeches offered by sportsmen for Fur, Fin and Feather day. It’s an annual event in which the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine and others put on displays, offer food and meet and greet lawmakers.

Hunter orange, flannel and L.L. Bean boots were in style.

One floor down you could hardly get through the lobby because it was so crowded. The Welcome Center was the spot for a rally protesting budget cuts to social programs. Disabled people and their advocates were everywhere, holding balloons and wearing red. (Some were also seeing red: They held signs that read: “Gov. Baldacci, what have you done for the children today?”)

Meanwhile, a hearing on a bill to bring back a mandatory motorcycle helmet law was being held that afternoon. Dozens of bikers filled the halls. Some estimate that 200 rolled into town. They didn’t look happy.

Leather, jean jackets and long-haired bearded men were in style. Helmets were not.

While describing the bustle to a colleague, one State House reporter said, “Well you know what that means. It means the State House is the people’s house.”

He’s right. Many Mainers feel it’s worth their while to show up in person and deliver their gripes directly to the people who make the laws. Most people consider that foundation of democracy well worth the crowded rooms and halls.

Higher frill taxes?

At that Welcome Center rally against social service budget cuts, a few Democrats, including Sen. John Nutting, D-Leeds, and Rep. Sean Faircloth, D-Bangor, joined the chorus in protesting social service cuts.

Nutting said he’s troubled because the cuts would hurt the most “helpless of the helpless.” Meanwhile, he said, Maine is the only state that does not tax the owners of luxury yachts on docking and mooring fees.

Faircloth announced he’ll be sponsoring a bill, L.R. 1655, that would raise about $90 million by adding taxes “on things we don’t need.” That would include cigarettes, alcohol, soda and summer lodging, he said. He wouldn’t mind paying more for his beloved Diet Coke, Faircloth said, to the delight of the crowd.

Gov. John Baldacci and Republicans may mind. Baldacci has insisted there will be no new taxes and that Maine spends too much on behavioral services. He also warns that the state faces more Medicaid cuts from Washington.

Three in aprons

Because of Thursday’s storm, students who were supposed to serve lawmakers a free lunch as part of Tourism Day at the Legislature couldn’t make it.

So Maine’s top elected officials, Gov. John Baldacci, Senate President Beth Edmonds and House Speaker John Richardson, became honorary chefs. Each wore a white apron.

Before they served hungry lawmakers standing in line, the three thanked restaurant workers, innkeepers and others in tourism, not just for the great lunch, but for being unofficial ambassadors. Restaurant and lodging workers are typically the first ones who greet out-of-state tourists when they arrive in Maine, Edmonds said.

Hearing today:

A public hearing is scheduled today for L.D. 310, a bill that would require a 10-day waiting period before anyone under 21 could buy a firearm. It’s at 1 p.m. in Room 208 of the Cross State Office Building – not the State House, as listed on the schedule.



Quote of the week: “As I stand here today, I’m reminded of Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results.'”

– Mental health consumer Lydia Richard, testifying that more state cuts to mental health services would result in higher costs to taxpayers.

Bonnie Washuk is the Sun Journal State House reporter