Garden Club Federation of Maine

Legislative Issues in Maine

GCFM Notice to Board of Directors, Club Presidents and Membership

State of Maine Issues of Concern: Bills that threaten Billboard Law

And the Natural Scenic Beauty of Maine

May 1, 2011

Rebecca L. Linney, GCFM President

207-361-2345

LD 1367 (Section 7) threatens the ban on Billboards in the state of Maine. The Bill’s Primary sponsor is Senator Thomas of Ripley, Maine whose e-mail is firewood@tds.net

Also, LD 1405, An Act to Amend the Laws Restricting Advertising on Public Ways. This is a very lengthy document that will take time to study and after your review, you may want to make note of your questions and concerns. The wording is confusing and the interpretation is unclear. The bottom line here, is that Maine’s greatest attribute is our Natural, Scenic Beauty…the unspoiled vistas and the historical legacy of our culture --- the very reason residents and tourists ‘LOVE MAINE’.

If you go to www.mainelegislature.org and enter these two items, you can print out both for your convenience of reading and sharing with family, neighbors and friends. Also, please feel free to share these links with concerned citizens. The newspapers, radio and TV have also been helpful with information.

There was a public hearing held before the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation, on April 26^th in Augusta. They will be holding a workshop on May 5^th, to continue their review` and to come forward with their recommendations. Senator Ronald F. Collins is chairman of this committee.

The members of the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation and their contact information are available at:

http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/jt_com/tra.htm

It is very important that each of you take the time to study these two bills and respond to your Local Legislators plus the members of the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation. A simple, direct, passionate note from you can truly make a difference. A lot can be said in two or three thoughtful sentences. As the Committee on Transportation meets on May 5^th, we have very little time to make contacts. Therefore, send emails, make phone calls and also send letters. Encourage your family, neighbors and friends to do the same. Even after May 5^th, all of our legislators should continue to hear from their constituents as to their thoughts on these issues.

Thank you for taking the time to express your opinions,

Becky

The following is a list of bills that are due to come before committees in the legislature dealing with environment. Each of the items listed can be viewed at www.maine.gov

Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

1547 An Act To Streamline Maine's Pesticide Notification System Representative O'Brien

1607 An Act To Regulate the Transportation of Firewood Representative McCabe

Appropriations and Financial Affairs

1748 An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Purchase and Upgrade Trackage of the

Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway, Ltd. Representative Theriault

Business, Research and Economic Development

1701 An Act To Facilitate an Increase in Sales of Motor Vehicles Representative Pilon

1683 An Act Regarding the Law Governing Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers, Distributors and Dealers

Senator Schneider

Criminal Justice and Public Safety

1497 An Act To Amend the Law Pertaining to Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Senator Diamond