What kind of governance is Maine receiving with the new executive department and the Legislature?

So far, there is a bill to require a photo ID at the polling places. When asked what problem he was trying to solve, the bill’s sponsor, Rich Cebra, R-Naples, could not come up with an explanation.

Also, despite multiple studies showing the linkage between chemicals in the environment and poor effects on human health (especially children), Sen. Lois Snowe-Mello, R-Poland, has introduced a bill to roll back laws designed to protect consumers because, as she said, “the chemical industry needed a voice.”

And now there is a bill introduced by Robert Nutting, R-Oakland, to withhold welfare benefits from legal immigrants for five years. Nutting is basing the need for his bill on anecdotes of his colleagues that Maine’s current benefits attract immigrants to the state (Sun Journal story, March 18). Despite several studies that show the state’s immigrant numbers are lower than surrounding states with less generous benefits, Nutting pursues his bill.

This is not responsible governance. This is not sound science. This is expensive and dangerous pandering to special interests and ideological attacks on Maine’s most vulnerable citizens.

Maine deserves better.

Denis Bergeron, Auburn