Democratic leaders in Augusta are using unorthodox parliamentary tricks to prevent the Legislature from considering a proposal to make Maine’s schools safer.
State House sources say Democratic leaders have asked for a fiscal note on a bill to develop safety standards for school access before referring the measure out of committee. Typically, lawmakers ask for fiscal impact determinations when a bill is referred out of committee.
Rep. Lance Harvell (R-Farmington) introduced L.D. 529 as emergency legislation that would ensure future school construction projects abide by certain standards for access. The act has ten co-sponsors – all Republicans – including Sen. Thomas B. Saviello (R-Franklin), and Reps. Heather W. Sirocki (R-Scarborough) and Deborah J. Sanderson (R-Chelsea).
Harvell’s bill is an attempt to improve school safety in the post-Newtown era, but sources in Augusta believe Senate President Justin L. Alfond is suppressing the bill because it is a solution to school safety that does not involve gun control.
“This is a manipulative fiscal note, for sure, it’s political malpractice,” said Maine GOP Chairman Richard M. Cebra.
2 Comments
jooouli
You can definitely see your skills within the work you write. The sector hopes for more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to say how they believe. Always follow your heart.