News
Power
of The People
Commentary by Rep. Susan Austin
So often people feel either helpless or severely distanced
from active participation on policy decisions made
by state government that affect their everyday lives.
However, this spring a petition drive was initiated
called, "Don't Mortgage Me," a people's
veto referendum, in response to the $441 Million Bonded
portion of the state budget accepted by a legislative
majority. That petition drive took off like a ground
swell because it afforded a vehicle of expression
to those who felt that $441 Million borrowed through
Bonds by that legislative vote to maintain a 2 year
budget just wasn't sound kitchen table top economics.
As the drive gathered more support with more and more
signatures the heavily scrutinized Bond portion of
the Budget began to take on a new "after the
vote" concern with Capitol leadership.
The mounting presence of the voice of the people,
you, turned the tide and put the necessary spotlight
on borrowing money to keep the lights on for the next
two years as the ill fated, poorly crafted accounting
practice that it established for the first time ever
in Maine's state budgetary history!
Yes, congratulations! You turned the Tide and you
stopped the waves of burden that would have beaten
and drowned our hard working families of Maine with
that bonded debt pushed out over the next 15 plus
years. You had the insight and courage to do what
too many in the legislature wouldn't do. I give you
the 52,000 folks who signed the petition the credit
for lessening our amount of debt. What a load off
our shoulders at an already back breaking time.
If you ever needed evidence of what your voice through
your signature was worth, this experience was harrowing
testimony to the Power of the People.
I thank every one of you who signed and gathered signatures
throughout Maine. The presence of dissatisfaction
and discord from you channeled a precise message to
the top leadership of the Governor's administration
and legislative majority offices. You had the intuitive
sense to recognize that we can not mortgage lives!
Sue
Austin
State Representative #109, Part of Gray, part of North
Yarmouth and part of Pownal
