Maine State Legislature
MAINE STATE LEGISLATURE
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LEGISLATIVE RECORD
OF THE
Third Special Session
OF THE
One Hundred and Third Legislature
OF THE
STATE OF MAINE
September 18, 1968
DAILY KENNEBEC JOURNAL AUGUSTA, MAINE LEGISLATIVE RECORD-HOUSE, SEPTEMBER 18,1968 7
The purpose for which the Mr. DUDLEY: Mr. Speaker and Convention was assembled having Members of the House: I realize been accomplished, the Convention I'm not taking up much time be was dissolved and the Senate re cause we're not holding you up, tired to its Chamber. but I too am in favor of the order, but I am going to go along to In the House indefinitely postpone it because I The House was called to order understand the situation as it is by Speaker Kennedy.' today. I did want to tell the House that Mr. Crommett of Millinocket nothing has irritated the people presented the following Order out that we could have done in the of order and moved its passage: 103rd Legislature that would irri ORDERED, the Senate con tate the people from where I come curring, that the Joint Committee more than this particular bill and on Legal Affairs be directed to re it has caused more confusement port out a bill to repeal the law in the area, and I hope the next regulating snow traveling vehicles Legislature will see fit to do some (Title 29, Chapter 14). thing to correct this injUstice, and The SPEAKER: The C h air I remember it was said by a recognizes the gentleman from member of this House that they Madawaska, Mr. Levesque. just wanted to put something on Mr. LEVESQUE: Mr. Speaker the book and they sure put some and Ladies and Gentlemen of the thing on the book all right. Thank House: It is with some reluctance you. that I get up to speak on this Thereupon, the Order was order, knowing very well that my indefinitely postponed on a viva good friend from Millinocket, Mr. voce vote. Crommett, and colleague as a member of this House, is very The SPEAKER: The House will much interested in seeing that this be at ease pending papers from be adopted by this special session the Senate. of the Legislature, and of course Mr. Crommett knowing that we have been able to come to an House at Ease agreement with the Executive Of fice and both leaders of both politi Called to order by the Speaker. cal parties as to what the purpose Papers from the Senate of this sp-ecial session was going From the Senate: to be for. Resolve Proposing Constitutional Now I know that Mr. Crommett Amendment Inc rea sin g to and the rest of the members of $80,000,000 the Limitation 0 n this House understand that the pur Legislative Authority to Insure pose of this special session must Payment of Loans to Industrial, only be for this special session for Manufacturing, F ish i n g and these three bills that have been Agricultural Enterprises for which introduced, and knowing very well Payment the Legislature May that an agreement is an agreement Appropriate Moneys or Iss u e and certainly we don't want to pro Bonds, or both, on Behalf of the long this session for any other than State. (S. P. 821) (L. D. 1889) emergency measures, I feel that Came from the Senate passed to I must indefinitely postpone this be engrossed without reference to order. any Committee under suspension The SPEAKER: The gentleman of the rules. from Madawaska, Mr. Levesque, In the House, under suspension now moves that this order be of the rules, the Resolve was given indefinitely postponed. Are you its two readings. ready for the question? The SPEAKER: The C h air The Chair recognizes the gentle recognizes the gentleman from man from Enfield, Mr. Dudley. Bath, Mr. Ross. 8 LEGISLATIVE RECORD-HOUSE, SEPTEMBER 18, 1968
Mr. ROSS: Mr. Speaker and tion. These items alone could in Ladies and Gentlemen of the volve hundreds of millions of House: We consistently talk in dollars. platitudes favoring progress and a The competition does not have return to our rightful mot t 0 to worry about the costs of expan "Dirigo". However, we seem to sion. The State of Mississippi is confuse this with increased wel building a new shipyard for Litton fare, higher salaries without re Industries and General Dynamics gard for merit, and things like has the Quincy Yard in Massa more unemployment benefits. We chusetts which is already of ade only fool ourselves with these quate size. The government now conceptions. True progress should wants the assurance that Maine is encompass innovations which will willing to back up itsl faith in the create jobs and help us return to future with a guarantee on this fiscal sanity. valid industrial loan. Although These are times of high pressure faith is almost a lost commodity, it sell i n g , glamorous advertising, is sWl the stuff upon which our pub 1 i c reI at i on scheme3, Country and State were built. generalities in equality and genernl Shipbuilding was the fir s t public distrust. All but forgotten industry in the United States. Over seem to be the qualities of the years Maine has been one of conscientiousness, workmanship, the leaders in this field. For many honesty, ingenuity and integrity. reasons the indUstry is now at a However, these were the traits that low ebb. Of course the passage of over the years set Maine people this bill will not guarantee its apart. These are the qualities resurrection. Neither would it in which still earn for the Bath Iron sure the ultimate success of this Works the reputation for building one contract in question. However, the finest ships afloat. its defeat would indicate our lack Although I come from Bath, if of confidence and probably guaran this were an out and out state loan tee that the other competing states I would oppose it. If it were only be given top priority. intended to increase jobs locally Thereupon, the Resolve was I would oppose it. If it were any passed to be engrossed wHhout. sort of an inflationary measure or reference to any Committee in an outright government grant, I concurrence. would not approve of it. By unanimous consent ordered Nevertheless, here we have a sent forthwith to the Senate. very extraordinary situation. The Bath Iron Works has always been {Off Record Remarks) able and willing to finance its own normal expansion programs. How From the Senate: The following ever, now they are competing Order: against two industrial giants for ORDERED, the House con the largest government contract in curring that the Legislative Re the history of our State. It involves search Committee is her e b y hundreds of millions of dollars and directed to study the functions of the possible employment of thou the Maine Industrial B u i 1 ding sands of workers t h r 0 ugh 0 u t Authority and report to the next Maine. regular session of the Legislature It does not appear logical that its findings and recommendations anyone Yard will get this entire with respect to ways and means program, but at this point plans by which the Legislature may must be made as if this were a more closely oversee the practices certainty. New facilities are but and policies of said Authority. (S. one item in the complex financial P. 824) picture. Multi million dollar with Came from the Senate read and holdings could be anticipated, and passed. the successful shipyard would have In the House, the Order was read to guarantee satisfactory comple- and passed in concurrence. LEGISLATIVE RECORD-HOUSE, SEPTEMBER 18, 1968 9
The SPEAKER: The Chair calls the Speaker and sent forthwith to attention to Supplement number 1, the Senate. a communication. Emergency Measure The following paper from the An Act relating to Insurance of Senate was taken up out of order Mortgages under the M a i n e by unanimous consent: Industrial Building Act (H. P. 1348) The following Communication: (L. D. 1888) (S. P. 822) Was reported by the Committee STATE OF MAINE on Engrossed Bills as truly and DEPARTMENT OF STATE strictly engrossed. This being an AUGUSTA, MAINE emergency measure and a two March 21, 1968 thirds vote of all the members Honorable Joseph B. Campbell elected to the House being neces President of the Senate sary, a total was taken. 134 voted 103rd Legislature in favor of same and none against, State of Maine and accordingly the Bill was 76 Willow street passed to be enacted, signed by Augusta, Maine the Speaker and sent forthwith to Dear Sir: the Senate. I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of a communica Finally Passed tion received by this Office from Constitutional Amendment the Honorable Robert B. William Resolve P:mposing Constitutional son, Chief Justice of the Maine Amendment Inc I' e a sin g to Supreme Judicial Court. $80,000,000 the Limitation 0 n You will note that the attached Legislative Authority to Insure communication cIa r i fie s the Payment of Loans to Industrial, senatorial district in which the Manufacturing, F ish i n g and Penobscot Indian Reservation is to Agricultural Enterprises for which be included. Payment the Legislature May Very truly yours, Appropriate Moneys or Iss u e (Signed) JOSEPH T. EDGAR Bonds, or both, on Behalf of the Secretary of State State (S. P. 821) (L. D. 1889) The Communication was read Was reported by the Committee and with accompanying paper on Engrossed Bills as truly and ordered placed on file. strictly engrossed. The SPEAKER: The C h a i I' recognizes the gentleman from House at Ease Belgrade, Mr. Sahagian. Mr. SAHAGIAN: Mr. Speaker, Called to order by the Speaker. first I want to apologize for not The SPEAKER: The Chair calls being here at our caucus, and when attention to Supplement number 2. I got here it was late and I am Passed to Be Enacted not well informed about this impor Emergency Measure tant bill that we are about to enact An Act Appropriating Funds to here, and if I may, I would like Carry out Duties of the Elections to pose a qUestion through the Division of the Office of the Secre Chair to anyone who cares to tary of State The SPEAKER: The gentleman Mr. RICHARDSON: Mr. from Belgrade, Mr. Sahagian, Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of poses a question through the Chair the House: The order entered in to any member who may answer the Senate and passed a few if they choose. The C h air moments ago by the House, calls recognizes the gentleman from upon the Legislative Research Cumberland, Mr. Richardson. Committee to i m m e d i ate I y Mr. RICHARDSON: Mr. examine and report to the next Speaker, in answer to the gentle general session of the Legislature man's question, I think it is impor on the question of liaison between tant to recognize that we are the Maine Industrial B u i I din g merely guaranteeing a loan to be Authority and :its procedures and privately financed by private lend the Legislature's participation and ing institutions acting on what I a concern for lending procedures bel1eve has in the past been and policies. It should be clear that conservative, good judgment, so the Maine Legislature is not pass that in the extremely unlikely ing judgment on the wisdom of the event tha1t there were a default private financing package to be put and the Bath Iron Works were together. This is a judgment that unable to pay, the question would rested by law, and I think properly then become, what would be the so, with the Maine Industrial Build obligation of the State of Maine? ing Authority. It is their decision First of all, I believe the State to make whether or not the finan of Maine would become a primary cial package is a sound one, and creditor; we would have recourse that is an authority which they to the assets of the Bath Iron have and I think they should have, Works in a preferred creditor but the order that we have in is status and able to go against designed, in answer to your ques those. If all of those assets which tion, to allow the Legislature to I believe--.I know, total well in the really go into this and to re millions and millions of dollars examine the whol.e situation. It was were insufficient, then and in that prompted by remarks in the event only, would the State of Republican caucus this morning by Maine be faced with the necessity the gentleman from Lubec, Mr. of making up the difference, but Pike. I consider it so unlikely, a remote The SPEAKER: The C h air situation, that I don't think that recognizes the gentleman from it should impede the action we Biddeford, Mr. Truman. take today which I think has been Mr. TRUMAN: Mr. Speaker and correctly described as an act of Ladies and Gentlemen of the faith, an a,ct in SUpport of this House: I have a few questions in great industry. my mind before I vote on this The SPEAKER: The C h air important document. recognizes the gentleman from Don't we set a precedence here Belgrade, Mr. Sahagian. or don't we open the door in the Mr. SAHAGIAN: Mr. Speaker, future for any other industry in would there be any coordination Maine to come before us and ask between the, or liaison between the Us how about us, can't we borrow Legislature and the authorities who a little money here? You did it are going to make this advance for Bath. This is something that and the State of Maine so that has been on my mind, and I would we can be informed? like to know if anyone else could The SPEAKER: The gentleman answer that. from Belgrade, Mr. Sahagian, What do we do here, do we go poses a further question through in the banking business? I realize the Chair to any member who may we are just guaranteeing' this, but answer if they choose, and the it is an important document. Also, Chair recognizes the same gentle this increase in this eight million man, Mr. Ric h a r d son of limitation. I didn't get a chance Cumberland. to read the intent of the M.I.B.A. LEGISLATIVE RECORD-HOUSE, SEPTEMBER 18, 1968 11 but isn't this mostly for small busi Mr. Richardson of Cumberland nesses in Maine? If we get a big was appointed to convey a message industry that comes in and gobbles to the Senate informing that body this up, what's left for most of that the House had acted on all your small businesses here in matters before it and was ready Maine? May I have that answered? to adjourn without day, and he The SPEAKER: The gentleman subsequently reported he had per from Biddeford, Mr. T rum an, formed the duty assigned him. poses a question through the Chair to any member who may answer Mr. Carey of Waterville was if they choose. The C h air granted unanimous consent to ad recognizes the gentleman from dress the House. Cumberland, Mr. Richardson. Mr. CAREY: Mr. Speaker and Mr. RIC H A R D SON: Mr. Members of the House: Regardless Speaker, I would personally hope of our politics, the events of the that the Maine Legislature would immediate past should not go un be asked many times to approve heralded in this body. One man soundly financed a m bit i 0 u s has brought great honor upon him industrial projects such as the one self, his family, his home town of that it is being asked to approve Rumford, his adopted town of today. Waterville, and of the State. I I want to make it absolutely speak of a former member of this clear that the eight million dollar body, a former Governor of our single project limitation is not great State and a dedicated United being removed by this legislation. States Senator. The project limination of eight mil Mr. Speaker, I ask that the Clerk lion dollars remains in effect of the House be instructed to offer except as to the specifically the congratulations of this House designed exception designed to to Vice Presidential nom i nee handle this problem. If we are Edmund S. Muskie, the junior establishing a precedent, it is that Senator from Maine. when the authority of the M.I.B.A. The SPEAKER: The Chair would has to be exceeded in order to advise the gentleman that his mo underwrite a major project, those tion is not in order because there people must come to the Legisla isn't any preparation for it, it must ture and secure leg i s I a t i v e be done through formal House approval and I, for one, hope that order. However, the gentleman's there are many, many such in remarks are a matter of record. stances. Thereupon, this being a Constitu (Off Record Remarks) tional Amendment and a' two-thirds vote of the House being necessary, Mr. Jalbert of Lewiston was a total was taken. 138 voted in granted unanimous consent to ad favor of same and one against, dress the House. and accordingly the Resolve was Mr. JALBERT: Mr. Speaker and finally passed, signed by the Members of the House: I had Speaker and sent forthwith to the distributed on your desks or to you Senate. this morning several of 0 u r brochures that the committee in House at Ease my area has had printed. I speak Called to order by the Speaker. of this measure again because it is coming before Us November 5 one, and secondly, I speak again A message came from the Senate because since we have adjourned borne by Secretary Speers of that here the situation has now become body informing the House that the to an almost intolerable point, and Senate has transacted all business to attest to this, I have had several before it and was ready to adjourn of those who had either used a without day. laissez faire atHtude towards this