AUGUSTA (AP) – A compromise is surfacing in a legislative committee between those who would allow hunting to continue on a 6,015-acre parcel that may become part of Baxter State Park and those who want to make it a wildlife sanctuary.

The dispute involves the Katahdin Lake region, which would be added to northern Maine’s Baxter park under a pending $14 million land deal. No state money is involved in the deal, but it needs legislative approval to go through.

The transaction has drawn broad support. But a key issue before the Legislature is whether Baxter park’s policy that bans hunting and motorized recreation in most areas should extend to the Katahdin Lake parcel.

A compromise that’s surfaced in a legislative committee calls for shared use of the land.

Eight members of the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee have indicated some level of support for a plan to keep nearly 2,000 acres in the northern part of the area open to hunting, and to keep the rest off-limits to hunting, trapping, snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles.

Because a two-thirds vote is needed to authorize the land deal, an agreement on rules for the Katahdin Lake region is critical. The committee is expected to take up the issue again next Wednesday.

Sponsors seek support as Jessica’s Law’ comes up for House debate

AUGUSTA (AP) – Sponsors of a bill that would impose mandatory prison terms for those convicted of sex crimes against young victims appealed for support Friday in advance of House debate, which is expected next week.

The Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety has split three ways on the bill known as “Jessica’s Law” after a 9-year-old Florida girl, Jessica Lunsford, who was murdered by a registered sex offender. The killing prompted Florida’s Legislature to pass a law giving that state one of the toughest child-sex laws in the nation.

Maine’s version would require a 25-year minimum mandatory prison sentence followed by probation for life for a first offense gross sexual assault against a child under 12 years old. None of the 25-year term could be suspended.

On Friday, supporters appealed for a reversal of the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee’s majority recommendation to kill the bill.

Sen. Dean Clukey, R-Houlton, said he’s received overwhelming support for his stand within and beyond Maine. He calls the bill an attempt to “zero in on the worst of the worst.”

Sen. Bill Diamond, co-chairman of the criminal justice panel, said criminals targeted in the bill have a high rate of re-offending.

“This is completely unacceptable and why we need to have strong support from our constituents for this vital legislation,” said Diamond, D-Windham, who scheduled a news conference at the Portland Police Department.

Proposed phaseout of business equipment tax is aired

AUGUSTA (AP) – Municipal officials from as far away as Madawaska converged on the State House to oppose legislation that would phase out Maine’s property tax on business equipment.

Support for the phaseout has come from business leaders, who said the measure would improve the state’s business climate.

But most of the speakers at Thursday’s six-hour hearing before the Taxation Committee voiced opposition to the bill, warning that it would remove a major revenue source for towns and cities, which would shift the tax burden onto homeowners.

The bill to eliminate the tax on new business equipment as of April 1, 2008 has the support of Gov. John Baldacci and the Republican and Democratic leadership. As required by the state Constitution, the state would pay towns half the value of the taxes that would have been collected to make up for lost revenue.

For towns especially dependent on the tax, such as mill towns, the reimbursement amount would be somewhat higher.

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