To the Editor:
I was honored that my question was selected to be answered by Gov. LePage on Friday at the town hall style meeting he held at Lincoln Academy. However, I was disappointed when he did not answer the question, but instead gave an impromptu civics lesson.
I asked the Governor how he feels about major legislation such as LD1333 (Health Insurance Reform) that receives major amendments while still in committee and the public is not afforded an opportunity to comment on those major amendments.
Public comment is a vital aspect of our legislative process. I myself have testified on numerous bills. Public comments, whether submitted in writing or in person are the primary avenue we citizens have to voice our concerns and support for proposed legislation. When public comment is not allowed it denies the public their rightful participation in the legislative process.
On Friday night Governor LePage said he supports taxpayers (humans) over bald eagles and stated several times he is a governor of the people. By posing my question I hoped he would take a stand that public participation in the legislative process is important; that Mainers should be provided opportunity to submit input on legislative bills that are significantly amended while in committee. Instead, he lectured on the three branches of government.
It is true that Governor LePage heads the Executive Branch, not the Legislative Branch. However, as governor he sets the tone of our state government and he could have sent a strong message to our legislators that public participation in the legislative process is important.
It is a stand Gov. LePage chose not to take.
Mick Devin, Newcastle
