LEGISLATURE
It's an emergency: Ban energy drinks
By SUSAN M. COVER
Staff Writer Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel 11/16/2007

AUGUSTA -- Cribbage is in. So's a study of state cultural agencies and a bill to ban the sale of energy drinks to minors.

Those are three of 46 bills that got a second chance at life Thursday.

Dozens of legislators and lobbyists came to the Statehouse for "bill appeal day," when lawmakers get one last shot at getting their bills in for consideration next year.

The Legislature reconvenes in January for the second year of a two-year session. The session is supposed to be reserved for emergency legislation and is about two months shorter than the first session.

Sen. Peter Mills, R-Cornville, lobbied for his bill to allow charitable and fraternal organizations to get a low-cost license to host cribbage games. Some local groups have stopped hosting the games in the wake of a state crackdown on gaming.

"This is not an emergency, but it's a crisis," Mills said.

Before he could say more, leaders voted 10-0 to allow the bill to be considered when the Legislature reconvenes.

"The cribbage players of the world appreciate you," Senate President Beth Edmonds, D-Freeport said.

In all, 410 bills will be heard this session. That includes new bills, those carried over from the first session and bills from the governor and executive departments, according to the Speaker's Office.

The number is considerably fewer than the 1,900 that came through the pipeline in the first session.

Rep. Peggy Pendleton, D-Scarborough, tried to get a bill "to protect nurses from mandatory overtime" approved -- a measure she's submitted before.

"I think this is a very very dangerous situation," Pendleton said. "A tired nurse is not an effective nurse."

They rejected the bill 6-4.

But they did vote in Pendleton's bill to address the shortage of lab technicians.

Sen. John Martin, D-Eagle Lake, had good luck.

His bill, which was changed to a study of cultural agency accounting and accountability, earned a 7-3 vote in support. In recent weeks, the agencies have been questioned about whether they appropriately spent $4,000.

Rep. Gary Moore, R-Standish, didn't fare as well. His bill to exempt logging equipment from state sales tax was rejected 7-3.

In the offbeat category, Rep. Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, got all his Democratic colleagues to support his bill to "prohibit the sale of energy drinks to minors."

It got in on a 6-4 vote.

"The reason this in an emergency is I have two kids, and when I'm not with them, I can't stop them from drinking this crap," he said.

Susan Cover -- 623-1056

scover@centralmaine.com

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therehere of portland, ME
Nov 16, 2007 2:56 PM
Steve, Do you own a convenience store near a large High School that make a lot of money from these beverages. What do you think about changing the laws to allow Booze, Cigarettes, Condoms, Birth Control Pills All Street Drugs to be sold to any one of any age right next to the energy drinks. And don't forget they will payed for with food stamps /welfare checks. And before you say anything, I don't get welfare. I love my kids very much. But I know that I am not going to be there for them every second of every day and I hope that they make good choices in life but I am also aware that kids will be kids and peers often have a bigger impact on their lives.report abuse
Steve Jakes of Belgrade, ME
Nov 16, 2007 1:56 PM
Therre is never a common sense solution used for anything. One of the biggest drains on the economy is that Maine has an incredible welfare system (if you dont want to work and want free money) along with that wonderful welfare system comes people moving from other states and other countries to take advantage of it. Next to that and keep in mind I am a state worker is the huge amount of staff it takes to power the program. State government is fat the people that actually do the work are underpaid while managment grows by leaps and bounds, even worse if someone is out they cant even do the job they are supervising. A more common sense approach to getting new business in Maine also. Some of the tree huggers need to release there tight grip on every little thing and compromise on a solution to bring more business and more better paying jobs to Maine. While I dont have all the answers its not hard to see that a little compromise wold go along way to improving the economy and a little tough love to those on the system may give them the push they need to get off and be productive. By the way I am also a father whos child lives with them. report abuse
Jonathan Albrecht of Dixfield, ME
Nov 16, 2007 12:27 PM
Steve,
of course there is a serious economic problem in Maine has been since 1932 or longer. But we can't move the state next to California.report abuse
Steve Jakes of Belgrade, ME
Nov 16, 2007 12:22 PM
Prime in the end it is the voters fault. Not the Dems or Reps. If the voters dont think a change is needed they are blind or filthy rich. I am not saying the Res are the answer but you have to admit there is a serious economic problem in Maine report abuse
Jonathan Albrecht of Dixfield, ME
Nov 16, 2007 12:21 PM
first there has been no diasterous economic downturn in the last 30+ years in Maine. On the contrary Maine is doing better now than 30+ years ago.
Prime28 has it right. Mainers understand what the Repubs are up to.
If they take over Maine they will cut thousands of state jobs, programs, etc. They will cut taxes for corporations and the top 1% of wage earners. 5 Years later, they will have re-hired those thousands (but they will be republican hacks). They will increase fees. They will cry about the poor business environment as they pour concrete over everything that doesn't move. And they will create all kinds of $4.00 / hour jobs for the rest of us while they increase taxes on us to pay for their hacks.report abuse
Prime28 of Augusta, ME
Nov 16, 2007 11:29 AM
Good ol' Brian:

"Just look at the facts, democrat control in Maine for the last 30+ years.

Look at the disaterous economic downturn of the last 30 years in the state of Maine .

I dont see how you can pin that trophy on Maine Republicans!"

How inept must the republicans be if they can't get themselves elected to change that? I don't see how you can pin the ineptitude of the elephants on Maine democrats.report abuse
Steve Jakes of Belgrade, ME
Nov 16, 2007 11:21 AM
Therehere
Stop trying to get state laws to raise your children and do a better job yourself. Whats next no sales of candy to minors. What a waste of taxpayers time and money friggin idiots report abuse
Edward Lachowicz of Augusta, ME
Nov 16, 2007 11:09 AM
You know Brian, I've said it before, and I'll say it again... it's rather hard to take someone seriously who insists on using the noun "Democrat" instead of the adjective "Democratic".

But if you insist on looking foolish, I can't help you with that, how can I?

If you want to get taxes fixed and get our economy going again, how about you beat leadership in the Senate over the head and make them revive the Strimling-Nass tax plan?report abuse
woofwoof of yarmouth, ME
Nov 16, 2007 11:04 AM
Gosh, Brian...Only Dems are allowed to submit bills? That doesn't sound fair. Are you sure?report abuse
Joan of Bath, ME
Nov 16, 2007 10:26 AM
Hey Brian............ if any Republicans had made any efforts to reduce taxes I think we'd know about it. Stop blaming everyone else, head up to Augusta and make your voice heard or run for office. Your finger pointing and endless complaining are just plain nauseating.report abuse

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