We, the members of the Maine Democratic Party in convention assembled this sixteenth day of May, 1964, do hereby adopt our 1964 Platform. Maine needs a program for progress and the leadership to carry out such a program. We believe the Democratic Party can meet both needs. This is our program for such action. It is our pledge of continued service to the State of Maine and to the United States.
EDUCATION
* General aid to education which does not involve unnecessary federal control and full participation in appropriate federal matching program.
* Increased federal assistance to students for post high school education.
* A state supported post high school scholarship program for both vocational and college training.
* Strenuous efforts to strengthen the faculty, curriculum and facilities at teachers colleges so they may be accredited.
* Appropriate legislation to insure formation of the maximum number of practical school districts under the Sinclair Act within a specific time limit.
* Continued expansion of and increased support for the regional vocational school system throughout Maine.
* State funds to improve local libraries, encourage the formation of district libraries and to increase mobile and school library service.
* Accelerated development of the Orono and Portland campuses of the University of Maine through increased appropriation for operating budget and expansion of facilities.
* Creation of more two year technical programs by the University of Maine and expansion of the program of continuing adult education.
* To maintain and improve the operation of the present educational TV network.
* Helping retarded children by including trainable children in the public school system.
* Adoption of the uniform tax effort bill.
* That a statewide study be made of all aspects of post high school education, including University of Maine, teachers colleges, and vocational institutions to determine the best possible use of the state’s educational resources.
NATURAL RESOURCES
* Increasing development of state parks and recreation areas with emphasis on overnight camp sites and opening new areas for tourist use.
* State participation in development of skiing facilities, boat marinas, boat launching ramps, picnic areas, historical sites and markers and access to great ponds.
* Enactment of the Muskie Water Pollution Control Bill, as passed by the Senate (including provisions designed to protect the shellfish industry) as a means of improving water quality on our rivers, streams and lakes through cooperative local, state and federal action.
* Increased research by public and private agencies into problems stemming from the use of insecticides, coupled with effective state legislation designed to protect health and preserve natural resources.
* A stronger State role in developing seafood marketing cooperatives with a common State of Maine label.
* That on those occasions when fire danger makes it necessary to close our woodlands, the appropriate state agency be given the right to extend the hunting season.
* Abolishing price fixing of milk at the retail level.
* Removal of potato futures trading from the New York Mercantile Exchange.
* Adequate provisions for professional staff in the Department of Economic Development enabling establishment of feasible economic goals and programs for Maine.
* Expansion of facilities at both campuses of the U. of M. for industrial research and business assistance and cooperation with other educational and research institutions.
* More State activity, particularly technical assistance, in encouraging urban renewal, zoning and planning, area redevelopment and local industrial development.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
* The development of the power potential of the upper St. John River and Passamaquoddy Bay as recommended by the Department of Interior, with recognition of multiple resource use.
* Executive leadership to establish a policy and program at the state level to help solve Maine’s entire transportation problem.
* Improved promotion of Maine as a State for year-round living and recreation.
* Maine Industrial Building Authority loans for the recreation, agriculture and fishing industries.
* Development of a list of worthwhile state projects in order of priority for completion under the federal youth service program as part, of the President’s War on Poverty.
* State cooperation and support in setting up a wood products research laboratory and pilot plant vocational training center in wood products.
* Liberalizing Maine banking laws to make more capital available for industrial expansion.
* Access along the Maine Turnpike and Route 95 for a right-of-way for a natural gas pipeline.
* Creating the post of foreign trade agent for Maine to help develop foreign markets for state industry.
HEALTH AND WELFARE
* That all agencies of the Health and Welfare Department should have an increase of funds and qualified staff members to function at their highest efficiency.
* Creation of a graduate level training program for social workers at the U. of M.
* Stricter court legislation to compel fathers to support their families.
* An educational program to help those families on ADC to better improve their standard of living and eventually to become self supporting.
* That it be mandatory that qualified Case-workers be assigned to the court to work with judges to assist in determining custody and support payments.
* A comprehensive medical care insurance program for the aged through Social Security.
* A pilot project on day centers in those areas where mothers are compelled to work days.
* Expanded vocational rehabilitation of handicapped adults.
* Increased state support of community health services to take advantage of increased federal funds.
* A program of public education on foster home care aimed at increasing the number of good homes that will be opened to these children.
* Strengthening the program of accreditation for Maine nursing homes to encourage more nursing homes to improve conditions of patient care.
* Repeal of the one-year residence requirement for public assistance which now blocks receiving 65% federal funds in the cases concerned. And an overall modernization of pauper and settlement laws.
* Alcoholic rehabilitation programs with emphasis on community effort and assistance in same.
LABOR
* Revision of the Maine Employment Security laws in line with the basic provisions of the Thaanum Bill.
* In view of the excellent management-labor relations that exist in the state through the exercise of free collective bargaining, we urge continued opposition to so-called “right-to-work” legislation.
* Reduction of the exemptions under the State minimum wage law and increasing the minimum wage to $1.25 an hour.
* Improved enforcement of the State minimum wage law by giving the Commissioner of Labor full power to investigate without formal complaint and by an increase in staff for this work.
* Elimination of the period for compensation under the employment security 1aw.
* Support of the merit of and continue the principle of longevity pay recognition for career state employees.
* A re-evaluation of state employees’ wage scales, particularly at the lower levels and the recognition of the need for and gradual adoption of night pay differentials.
* Improvement of the Workmen’s Compensation Law including.
* Shortening the waiting period.
* Payment of full compensation pending an appeal by the employer.
* Award of counsel fees and witness fees to injured employees.
* Allowing an employee to select a doctor from an approved panel.
GOVERNMENT AND LEGAL AFFAIRS
* Abolishing the Executive Council.
* That the Governor have the power to appoint the following: Attorney General, Commissioner of Agriculture and Secretary of State.
* Abolishing the office of State Treasurer.
* Annual legislative sessions.
* A major consolidation of state departments and commissions as recommended by the P.A.S. survey.
* Executive leadership to promote and protect consumers’ interests.
* Passage of the necessary constitutional amendment as the first step toward installing a roll call machine to automatically record and print the vote of each legislator on all questions.
* Adoption of a uniform basis for local valuation of property.
* Lowering the minimum voting age to 18 years.
* Creation of a permanent citizens commission on registration and voting participation to continually recommend improvement in the election taws.
* Repeal of the law disenfranchising paupers.
* Simplified and mobile voter registration year round.
* That the polls throughout Maine stay open until 8:00 p.m. unless all registered voters in the town have voted.
* Increased home rule for Maine cities, allowing charter changes to be made without legislative approval.
* Power of the item veto for the Governor on appropriation measures.
* A uniform statewide excise tax on boats to end the present unfairness in assessment and taxation.
* Taking the necessary preliminary steps to start a bureau of Maine archives.
* Competitive bidding on state insurance and a study of savings that might be made by Maine becoming a self-insurer.
* A better competitive bidding system on all state printing work and a professional study of what money can be saved by creating a central state printing department.
* Establishment of a system of judicial review of criminal sentences.
* Reform of laws relating to divorce and child support.
* Elect a Lieutenant Governor.
* Reform of the method of jury selection.
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
* We advocate the principle of equal opportunity for all citizens on the state and national level regardless of race, creed and color.
* Revision of the residual oil import program to encourage competition in the domestic market pending removal of import controls.
* Encouragement of export sales of potatoes and poultry products as well as feed grains, dairy products and wheat to all nations as a means of improving the economic position of these industries, of improving our national gold and balance of payments, and as a demonstration to the world of the superiority of American agriculture.
* Strengthening the cause of peace and freedom through a more effective United Nations and reasonable steps toward the reduction of international tension and the danger of nuclear war.
* Continuation and improvement of the Area Redevelopment Act program, the Manpower Development and Training Act and other facets of the Johnson Administration’s war on poverty, coupled with appropriate state action to cooperate in the implementation of such programs.
FINANCES
* We recognize that We have the responsibility to work for economy in state government operations and to provide the revenues for maintaining the present level of state services to the people and for financing new services recommended.
* In determining the state’s fiscal program consideration must be given to our total budget requirements, the possibility of greater use of state bond issues, re-evaluation of dedicated revenue, and the impact Of federal tax reduction and grants in Maine’s financial resources. If a new state tax or a broadening of the base of existing taxes is needed we should establish such new tax or broader base on the basis of ability to pay.
Source: publication by the Maine Democratic Party in 1964 of both the Democratic and Republican state party platforms. Address on the document: 277 Lisbon Street, Lewiston, Maine.