AUGUSTA (AP) – The Maine Senate drew cheers from spectators Wednesday as it decided by a one-vote margin to enact a bill to give northern Maine loggers and wood haulers negotiating power in setting rates they’re paid by landowners.

The bill bypassed routine fiscal review after the vote and was sent directly to Gov. John Baldacci, who met with loggers attending Wednesday’s session to hear their arguments why the bill should become law.

“It was a good meeting,” said Baldacci spokesman Lee Umphrey. “They stated their case and the governor said he understood, but he would have to review the legislation before making a decision” on whether to sign it.

A 20-14 tally for the bill last week prompted hard lobbying by the landowners, who hoped to turn Wednesday’s vote around, said a leading supporter of the bill, Rep. Troy Jackson, D-Fort Kent.

Asked if he was surprised by Wednesday’s 18-17 vote, Jackson said, “Nothing surprises me,” adding that the presence of loggers in the State House halls during the last few days may have given his side the final edge.

Jackson said he had spoken with Baldacci and was optimistic the governor will sign the bill.

The measure would allow wood haulers and harvesters to organize associations and negotiate collectively for rates, which would be determined by a board representing loggers, landowners and the public.

Loggers say they have a hard time making a living from the rates they’re now offered. Supporters also say the bill would not violate state or federal antitrust laws.

Opponents said the bill singles out certain large landowners, tinkers with the free market system and could hasten a loss of jobs in the wood industry. Some say it could have a negative impact on smaller logging businesses in southern Maine.

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Bill sets up recycling system for TVs, computers

Eds: LD 1318

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) – A bill to set up a recycling system to handle the tons of television sets and computer monitors piling up in Mainers’ garages, attics and garages won the state Senate’s endorsement Wednesday.

Supporters said such a bill is critical because a separate law already on the books prohibits the dumping of electronic waste in Maine landfills as of January 2006.

Environmentalists say each computer contains about 5 pounds of lead in addition to mercury and other toxic materials.

The bill that won the Senate’s endorsement seeks to create a system in which consumers would take their used equipment to a municipal transfer station, and the collected material would be sent to a consolidation center for recycling.

Manufacturers of the electronic waste would have to pay the costs of recycling, just as auto manufacturers have to pay to recycle mercury car switches under a separate law.

Environmentalists say two computer manufacturers and municipalities are supporting their electronic waste bill, while TV manufacturers oppose it.

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District judge, UMaine trustees appointments get final OK

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) – The Maine Senate on Wednesday finalized several appointments to the University of Maine System board of trustees and also confirmed the governor’s District Court nominee, Robert Murray Jr. of Bangor.

With the Senate’s vote, Murray moves from Gov. John Baldacci’s Cabinet as commissioner of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation to the judiciary. His confirmation also marks the former legislator’s entry into the third branch of state government in which he will have served.

Maine’s District Court system handles civil and criminal matters and has 33 judges serving in 31 locations.

Also confirmed routinely Wednesday were the governor’s new appointments to the UMaine system board, Jean Flahive of Eastport, Paul Mitchell of Waterville and Victoria Murphy of Portland.

The Senate confirmed the reappointments of Barry McCrum of Mars Hill, Margaret Weston of Yarmouth and Charles Johnson III of Hallowell to the UMaine board.

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Coalition calls for passage of land conservation borrowing bill

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) – A coalition representing 260 businesses and organizations called on legislators Wednesday to pass a land-conservation bond issue and send it to voters.

The Maine Land Bond Coalition said more money is needed to replenish the Land for Maine’s Future program, which has protected land in every county from development since it was created in 1987. The protected lands are kept open to the public.

In January, the Land for Maine’s Future board ran out of money after committing its last dollars.

Gov. John Baldacci earlier this year called for a $100 million land preservation bond issue. The Legislature has not completed work on a bond package for the year.

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On the Net:

Land Bond Coalition: www.mainelandbond.org

AP-ES-04-14-04 1903EDT