ALG Urges Maine to Adopt Public Sector Right-to-Work Measure

May 27^th, 2011, Fairfax, VA—Americans for Limited Government President (ALG) Bill Wilson today issued the following statement urging the Maine legislature to adopt a measure that would give public sector employees the option of whether or not to join a union:

"All employees, whether public or private, ought to have a choice if they wish to join a union.  The Maine legislature is simply taking the same step that New Hampshire has in considering passing right-to-work legislation for public sector workers, to bring an end to the dominance that the unions have wielded in making the cost of government unsustainable at a state level. 

"This is about fairness to workers, and their freedom to choose, but it is also about reining in the spiraling costs of public sector pension and health care benefits.  The Maine legislature is taking the responsible step to help bring its fiscal house into order."

AULA's McConchie Testifies for Three "Common-Sense," Pro-Life Bills in Maine

AUGUSTA, MAINE (05-03-11) – Americans United for Life Action Vice President for Government Affairs Dan McConchie will testify today on behalf of three, pro-life bills under consideration. McConchie said the bills being discussed before the Maine Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary are “commonsense measures to protect women and children.”

“This legislation provides women and the parents of pregnant minors every opportunity to be knowledgeably informed about an abortion procedure before choosing whether to undergo one,” said McConchie. “These commonsense bills will ensure all women get more information about the risks of abortion and ensure a young girl’s parents are involved in the decision-making process. These are bills everyone, regardless of views on abortion, can get behind and support.”

A run down of the bills, all of which are based on AUL legal models:

Sponsored by Rep. Tyler Clark, LD116 would require a 24-Hour reflection period prior to an abortion to protect women who may feel pressured into the procedure. (Click here to read the full testimony.)   

Sponsored by Rep. Eleanor Espling, LD 924 would require that women be informed on the medical risks of the abortion procedure as well as require a 24-hour reflection period before an abortion. (Click here to read the full testimony.)  

Sponsored by Rep. Dale Crafts, LD 1457 would strengthen consent laws for abortions for girls under the care of their parents or guardians to protect them from sexual predators who might try and arrange an abortion without the protection parents. (Click here to read the testimony.)

To track the bills as they proceed, go to AUL’s legislative tracker here.



CORNERSTONE COMMENTS ON MAINE'S REJECTION OF GAY MARRIAGE

When will NH voters get their say?

Concord, NH - Yesterday, Maine citizens went to the polls to exercise the "citizens' veto" of gay marriage.  Earlier this year, the Maine state legislature and Governor approved gay marriage legislation.  Yesterday, Maine voters finally had their say in the matter, and resoundingly voted against gay marriage, 53% - 47%, thus preventing the legislation from taking effect. 

Reacting to this development, Cornerstone-Action Director, Kevin Smith, said the following:

"Yesterday's vote proves that once again, when the gay marriage issue is put to the people, the people reject it.  Thirty-one states, including Maine, have now put this question to the people and in all 31 states the people have said 'no' to gay marriage.  Even though the people of Maine decided overwhelmingly yesterday to vote against decreasing taxes and voted for medicinal marijuana, they still said "no" to having gay marriage in their state."

Smith continued, "This vote just goes to show how radical and out-of-touch the New Hampshire legislature and Governor Lynch are with the voters in New Hampshire, who if given the chance, would also vote to reject gay marriage.  It is time to 'let the people vote' by approving the constitutional amendment on this issue that will be introduced in the legislature next year."