AUGUSTA -- The Senate minority leader wants legislators to suspend their pay raises this year and next year. Sen. Kevin Raye, R-Perry, is sponsoring two bills to suspend the automatic cost-of-living adjustments.

"I simply think it's inappropriate for the Legislature to be accepting a cost-of-living adjustment in these difficult times," he said.

Raye put in two bills because the measure to end the raises for this year would have to pass as an emergency bill, which could pass only with the support of two-thirds of the Legislature. The other, to stop payments for next year, would need only a simple majority.

The pay raises came to light in January when The Associated Press released a story about the automatic increase. The raise, which amounted to 3.7 percent, means each lawmaker will get $13,526 for this year's six-month session. If they give up their raises for next year, it would save an estimated $40,000, according to the AP.

Raye said it's not about the money. "To me, it's just the principle behind it," he said.

Marriage rally set for Feb. 15

The Family Research Council, based in Washington, D.C., has organized a Stand for Marriage Rally from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Augusta Civic Center.

The Maine Marriage Alliance -- a group that supports a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage -- and others will join together for worship and education about the issue of marriage, said Bob Emrich, a pastor who leads the marriage alliance.

Emrich said he wants to inform people about legislation that will be considered this year to allow gay and lesbian couples to get married in Maine.

"People tend to feel isolated," he said. "By having an opportunity to get together, it will remind people they are not alone."

Looking for work?

The head of the Maine Arts Commission said this week that she's thrilled to get permission to fill an assistant director position.

Donna McNeil, executive director of the commission, told the Appropriations Committee a few weeks ago that she had two positions -- both federally funded -- that she was not allowed to fill, because of a state hiring freeze.

In recent days, however, McNeil got permission to fill one of them, an assistant director's job that pays between $52,000 and $71,448 a year. "It's a really good job," she said.

Federal money pays the full salary and benefits, she said. The assistant director is in charge of the commission budget, human resources, grant writing and other duties.

Smith goes to Rhode Island

Rep. Nancy Smith, D-Monmouth, recently traveled to Rhode Island to speak in favor of a bill to establish a clean election system.

Smith, a farmer by profession, credits Maine's public financing system for making it possible for her to run for office.

She's now in her fourth term in Augusta.

"Clean elections remove financial barriers, allowing people of all backgrounds to successfully run for office," she said in a statement. "Citizens are better represented, because a more diverse legislature is created."

No dogs at dog day

On Wednesday, the Federation of Maine Dog Clubs came to the Statehouse to inform legislators about "different canine activities taking place across the state. On the flier advertising the event, in very small print, there was one caveat: "Due to Statehouse policy, no actual dogs will be in attendance."

Those pesky campaign signs

Rep. Jane Eberle, D-South Portland, made the latest attempt to restrict yard signs around election time by banning them from public property.

Under her bill, they would be allowed on private property only. She said she submitted the bill because of the "hue and cry from constituents who hate signs." Also, she said, the signs create a lot of waste.

However, citing various problems including freedom of speech, a few groups opposed the measure: Maine Civil Liberties Union, Maine Municipal Association and the Maine Green Independent Party.

The Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee is scheduled to vote on the bill Wednesday.

Public hearings

The Appropriations Committee will get to work on the $6.1 billion two-year budget starting Monday. To consult a list of other hearings, go to: http://www.maine.gov/legis/senate/Documents/hearing/ANPHFrame.htm.

Susan Cover -- 620-7015

scover@centralmaine.com