PREAMBLE
We, the members of the Maine Democratic Party in convention assembled this eighteenth day of May. 1968, do hereby adopt our 1968 Platform. We do so with pride in the past achievements of our Party, with confidence in the future of our democratic system of government, with gratitude at our good fortune in being part of the American dream during this critical and exciting age, and with recognition of our obligation to help make that dream come true for all the people of Maine.
This Platform represents our commitment to progress and to a brighter future for every citizen of Maine. Although much remains to be done to achieve this objective, much has already been accomplished, and we note with special approval these actions taken by Governor Kenneth M. Curtis and the 103rd Legislature:
– Consolidation of the five State colleges and the University of Maine, and increased financial support of education’ at all levels.
– Enactment of laws to protect consumers and borrowers.
– Creation of a state planning agency in the office of the Governor.
– Increased salaries for State employees, liberalization of workmen’s compensation laws, and higher minimum wage provisions.
– Modernization of laws combating water and air pollution.
– Improved living conditions and expanded education facilities on our Indian reservations.
– Establishment by the Governor of citizen’s task forces to study such problems as modernizing state government, state and municipal revenues, education and public welfare.
We reaffirm our belief in the principle that political parties and political power are not ends in themselves. Rather, they are but means to an end, and the proper end is public service, for and by the people .
Upon this Platform we stand. It charts a bold, specific course for Maine, for we refuse to take refuge in meaningless generalities. All of its recommendations cannot be implemented immediately, for we recognize that our resources are not unlimited. There will have to be careful planning, the establishment of priorities and a constant search for more effective and economic ways to combine public and private resources for the achievement of our goals. But while the tempo of progress must be prudent and measured, the scope of our vision must not be impaired by negativism and despair. We heed the past but we look to the future. With faith in Maine and America, with determination and confidence in our capacity to provide effective, responsible government, we ask the people of Maine for their support.
EDUCATION
Thomas Jefferson, the founder of the Democratic Party, said that the foundation upon which a democratic state must rest is an informed and educated citizenry. The commitment of our Party to education has expanded as the importance of education in our society has increased. We strongly reaffirm that commitment. We recommend:
– An expanded program of federal aid to education based on a combination of general aid and categorical aid directed to specific national concerns, such as disadvantaged children.
– A substantial increase in the State’s share of the cost of public elementary and secondary education with appropriate revision of the school subsidy formula to insure that the program is equitable and serves the purpose of improving our educational system.
– Strong financial support of the new statewide university system to strengthen the component parts of the system and increase the proportion of Maine citizens pursuing education beyond high school.
– Favorable action on a law designed to facilitate negotiations between school boards and teachers.
– In the interest of the most effective utilization of the State’s financial resources, we favor legislation requiring all school systems to join school administrative districts by 1970.
– Expanded support of educational programs for children with special problems.
– Careful review of the special needs of rural areas to determine what specific steps can be taken to improve the quality of rural education.
– Continued evaluation and improvement of Maine’s teacher certification regulations.
– Financial support for experimental programs in teacher education, emphasizing closer cooperation between school districts and institutions of higher education and increased support and guidance of beginning teachers.
– Support of an education research unit in the State Department of Education or in the university system.
– Careful evaluation of present vocational education programs at both the secondary and post-secondary levels to determine the extent to which they are meeting the needs of young people and the economy of the State, with continued strong support of vocational education.
– Strong efforts to encourage local school districts to provide adult basic education and high school equivalency instruction.
– A constitutional amendment authorizing the Maine School Building Authority to pledge the State’s credit to local school construction bonds to help reduce the cost of building new schools should be considered.
– Legislation requiring an annual census of each city and town by its municipal officers, so that the State and community educational needs may be projected accurately.
– State and federal assistance to local school districts in planning and writing proposals for participation in various federal education grant-in-aid programs.
– Passage by the voters of Maine on June 17, 1968, of the two bond issues providing expanded dormitory facilities at the Maine Maritime Academy and Farmington State College.
LABOR
The backbone of our Nation and our Party has always been the worker. Dedication, honesty, willingness to give a day’s work for a day’s pay — these are the attributes of Maine men and women. They require and deserve the best that is possible in working conditions, security, and job benefits. We recommend:
In the area of private employment:
– Extend the protection of the Unemployment Compensation Law, Industrial Accident Law, and Minimum Wage Law to all employees.
– Establish and maintain the minimum wage and overtime provisions equal to the Federal law.
– Increase the weekly benefits for unemployment to the same level as industrial accidents benefits, and provide additional benefits for dependents in both laws.
– Provide for additional hearing officers to reduce the delay in processing of industrial accident benefit claims.
In the area of public employment:
– Improved pay for state employees to assure retention and recruitment of able personnel.
– Extend the protection of civil service to municipal employees.
– Support legislation to establish orderly collective bargaining procedures for state and municipal employees.
– Provide for overtime pay for state employees after 40 hours a week generally, and, after 5 work days in some categories.
– Establish a mileage allowance for state employees which would reflect the cost of operation.
– Change the retirement formula for state employees to permit retirement at one-half pay after thirty years of service computed on the average of their highest three years’ pay.
– Provide additional pay for night shift employees in state employment.
– We favor a study of the retirement disability provisions of the State Retirement Law.
STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The Maine Democratic Party has consistently worked to organize our state and local public agencies in a manner which will increase efficiency, effectiveness, and responsibility. We believe this goal is in the interest of all Maine people and deserves the support of Republicans and Independents, as well as Democrats. In the name of ·good government we call on all Maine citizens to support the following recommendations:
A well coordinated Executive Branch, which can be responsible to the people for both programs and expenditures, is absolutely essential:
– The Executive Council should be abolished.
– The Governor should be responsible for the appointment and removal of all major department and agency heads, except where the department head is appointed by a board which is itself appointed by the Governor.
– The Governor should have an item veto power for appropriations bills, as is now the case in 41 other states.
– The Governor should have the authority to develop and present plans to reorganize the executive branch to be effective unless disapproved by the legislature within 60 days.
– Agencies with closely related functions should be consolidated where appropriate and feasible.
– A study of the legislature, with particular attention to the size of the House of Representatives, compensation of legislators and staff and technical assistance for the Legislature.
– Continuing review and any necessary reform of absentee voting procedures.
The increasing need for public services at the local level has resulted in excessive demands upon the administrative and fiscal capabilities of many municipal governments. In order to preserve effective and responsive local government, we believe that the State should take immediate steps to strengthen municipal services and assume a greater share of the financial burdens of our communities.
Several proposals to accomplish this are recommended in other sections of this platform — including property tax reform, welfare reform, regional planning and programming, and technical assistance to achieve maximum benefit from Federal and State programs. In addition, we recommend:
-Municipalities should be granted broad power to revise charters, subject to referendum and to certain general laws by the legislature, such as tax powers and debt limits.
-Creation of a state agency for municipal affairs clearly responsive
to community problems which would focus State and Federal resources on the needs of our towns and cities.
-Further cooperation among State, county and local units in providing programs for police and fire protection and the establishment of specialized training programs.
Action to guarantee protection of the public is required:
– Provision should be made for a State inspection program for meat and other food products to meet federal standards.
– Creation of a Consumers Council to investigate consumer complaints.
– Revision of the Maine Milk Control Law to encourage competition in the retail market.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Every citizen of our great state, especially the young, deserves an opportunity to get a decent job, and to own a decent home for his family. The basis for a more prosperous future for Maine is in ordered economic development, utilizing without despoiling our resources, and giving maximum incentive to our free enterprise system, We recommend
– Satisfactory economic development in Maine must be directed to a clearly stated set of goals and objectives based .on a continuing review of possible alternatives for public investment. In order to make this possible, the State Planning Office should provide the necessary technical analysis of economic development proposals.
– Regional economic planning should be encouraged wherever possible and should be extended to land use, pollution abatement, airport and highway development.
– Economic growth is increasingly-dependent upon research to provide new knowledge leading to industrial and commercial applications. Research efforts of both public and private agencies should be strengthened, particularly in the field of oceanography where Maine’s opportunities are great and depend upon a broad base of research.
– Increased attention should be directed to the possibilities for development in Maine associated with the growing Canadian population and Canadian markets that surround the state. Consideration should be given to the potential that can be realized as the result of more adequate east-west highways, especially those that provide direct access from the metropolitan Montreal area to our recreational areas.
– The quality of our physical environment is an increasingly significant part of a lasting and worthwhile kind of economic development. It is essential therefore that more satisfactory progress be made in curbing air and water pollution and it is recommended that there be a more vigorous enforcement of existing laws and that increased aid be made available for waste treatment facilities.
– Economic development in Maine will be significantly enhanced by the Dickey-Lincoln School hydro-electric project and related transmission lines that would integrate this project with an improved, dependable, New England power system. It is recommended that appropriations for advanced engineering and the construction of this project be made available as soon as possible.
– The staff of the Public Utilities Commission should be increased and the Commission should be encouraged to assume a more active role in examination of utility rates and in the exercise of its proper functions.
– Creation of a Maine power Commission with authority to develop proposals for hydroelectric, thermal and transmission facilities, and to construct and operate such facilities when authorized by the legislature.
– Creation of a Maine Department of Transportation to assume the functions of the Maine Aeronautics Commission, the Maine Port Authority, and the Maine Highway Commission to promote the coordinated development of air, highway, and port facilities. Passage by the voters of Maine on November 5, 1968 of the bond issues enabling construction of State highways and a bridge over the Androscoggin River.
NATURAL RESOURCES
The wealth and value of any state are measured primarily by its people. But natural resources are also significant for their own value and to the extent that they enrich and enhance the lives of the people. Maine is rich in natural resources which we must at once develop and conserve, for ourselves and for future generations. We recommend:
– The development of an aggressive, State-wide program to protect and conserve natural resources, including a natural resource census which could serve as the basis for an overall State conservation plan.
– Zoning of wildlands, shore property and ‘other natural resource areas to protect against overdevelopment and destruction through overuse.
– A State program of billboard control, with immediate emphasis on the preservation of scenic areas.
– Expansion of state programs to acquire and develop state parks and recreation areas, including scenic and other easements, to provide public access to and the enjoyment of our lakes, ponds, streams, and coastal waters.
– Passage by the voters of Maine on November 5, 1968, of the bond issue establishing a State Park and Recreation Area Fund.
– An accelerated stream restoration, fishway and fish hatchery program.
– Continued support for the State forest conservation program.
– An improved and expanded conservation-oriented fish and game management program, including research on improved winter feeding conditions for deer, moose, and upland game birds, more intensive waterfowl management and improved game inventory techniques.
– Ecological studies should be required as part of applications for State approval of thermal electric power plant sites prior to submission of applications to Federal licensing agencies.
– Prohibiting the use of persisting pesticides under State assisted spraying programs and continued efforts to prevent adverse effects on public health and natural resources from the use of insecticides and pesticides.
– Regulation of mining operations, including protection against the destruction of adjoining or nearby natural resources and requirements for restoration of sites, including the posting of performance bonds on such restoration.
– Enactment of a State lake and pond restoration program, including State grants for assistance to local communities.
– Development of a program for the installation of collection and treatment facilities for sewage from boats and vessels in connection with public docks and marinas.
– Acceleration of efforts to protect and improve the quality and value of Maine’s water resources, including upgrading and expanding the staff of the Water and Air Environment Improvement Commission — improvement of technical services to communities and industries in developing effective waste treatment programs — greater emphasis on regional pollution control efforts — revision of the water classification law to provide more adequate criteria for water quality standards through authority for the Commission to set and revise water quality standards — and improvement of water pollution abatement authority and procedures.
– Enactment of an effective state air pollution control and abatement program~ consistent with the Federal Air Quality Act of 1967.
– Removal of potato futures trading from the New York Mercantile Exchange.
– Requiring that those costs of potato inspection now borne by the farmer be assumed jointly by the State and the Federal Department of Agriculture.
– Enactment of a State law requiring bonding of potato brokers.
– Increasing Farmers Home Administration loan limits from $35,000 to $50,000.
– Improving the coordination of farm information programs, with emphasis on available financing programs.
– Initiating a Maine farm land development program with consideration of tax deferments, to assist in bringing idle farm land into production.
– Promotion of sugar beet acreage by the State.
– Support for proposed federal legislation authorizing collective bargaining for farmers as a means of obtaining a fair and adequate price for farm products and for the preservation of the family farm unit.
MARINE RESOURCES
The oceans represent the frontier of the future. Maine’s maritime traditions and extensive coastal areas afford us a prime position in the coming development of that frontier. We recommend:
– Immediate steps should be taken, consistent with national and international law, to assert jurisdiction over submerged lands off Maine’s coast, with appropriate legislation for carefully controlled development of our off-shore resources.
– Consideration should be given to creation of a Department of Marine Affairs to consolidate and coordinate state activities related to the development and protection of our ocean resources.
– Continued support of the federal Sea Grant College program.
– Continued support and expansion of programs of marine and oceanographic training, in a cooperative effort by Maine educational institutions, to encourage marine-oriented industries to locate in Maine.
– Acceleration of research activities with special emphasis on the practical aspects of harvesting and marketing of sea products.
– The impact of the importation of foreign fish on the Maine fishing industry – particularly frozen ocean perch which is subsidized by the Maritime provinces – should be studied with specific recommendations made to the Congressional delegation.
– Review of the law prohibiting lobster fishing on Sunday to determine whether it is serving the purpose intended at the time of its enactment.
– Repeal of the present law prohibiting the taking of large, male lobsters.
– Appropriation of additional funds to match federal funds under the Anadromous Fisheries Act program.
HEALTH AND WELFARE
As our civilization becomes more complex, as man’s life span increases I the problems of the health and welfare of our people become more acute. A truly free America means an America where every citizen can receive the highest quality medical treatment and social services of which we are capable. Too many of our citizens do not have equal access to the opportunities and benefits of our society. Poverty affects at least one of every five people in Maine, one-half of whom are children. This situation is no longer tolerable. We believe that we must give highest priority to meeting the needs of the poor. Our goal must be to provide employment and adequate wages for all persons able to work, through cooperation between private enterprise and government. For those unable to meet their basic needs through work, we must assure a reasonable decent level of income, medical care, and housing, provided in a manner consistent with the dignity of our citizens. We recommend:
– A review of all pertinent state statutes and administrative procedures to the end that no citizen of this state shall be demeaned by reason of poverty.
– Public assistance payments should be raised so as to reflect realistically family need and the present restrictions on assets and earnings of Public Assistance recipients which erode dignity and interfere with self-support should be liberalized.
– Reform of our local welfare system and assumption of greater State and Federal responsibility in order to relieve municipalities of unnecessary administrative and financial burdens and to expand rehabilitative services for welfare recipients.
– Continued development of a medical care system which offers quality care to all our citizens at the lowest possible, cost through comprehensive health planning involving both the public and private sector; encouragement of regional medical programs, health manpower training and extension of the State’s Medicaid Program (Title XIX of the Social Security Act) to cover drugs, dental care, orthopedic devices and the medically indigent.
– Self-support services for Public Assistance recipients and other needy persons should be broadened by means of expanded child day-care programs and greater coordination of existing services such as employment counseling, adult education, and vocational rehabilitation.
– A professional school of social work should be established. This should provide for the education of professionally trained social workers and include provisions for institutes, workshops, and other programs that will offer education and training for various r, sub-professionals urgently needed in the social services.
– State Public Welfare Programs should be encouraged to make provisions for employment and in-service training of personnel with varying levels of education who may perform sub-professional tasks in the social services.
– Payments made by the State to private hospitals and nursing homes should be adequate and reflect the quality and type of care rendered.
– We should encourage expansion of both public and private year-round “Head-Start” type pre-school and child development programs.
– Services for the mentally retarded should be expanded. The Bureau of Mental Retardation, created to plan and coordinate such services on a statewide ‘level, should be funded.
– Passage by the voters of Maine on November 5, 1968, of the bond issue enabling construction of a residential facility for mentally retarded children in Aroostook County.
– Consideration should be given to the possibility of transferring responsibility for the education of blind children to the Department of Education.
– Citizen Visiting Boards should be established for the purpose of visiting and reporting on the needs of all State institutions.
– Consideration should be given to a program permitting low-income families to adopt children and receive subsidies equivalent to the amount now being expended for the care of such children in foster homes. Foster care facilities should include small group as well as residential homes.
– Basic research into the causes of social problems, and evaluation of the effectiveness of existing programs should be expanded.
– The State Division of Alcoholic Rehabilitation should encourage local counseling centers as well as half-way houses for rehabilitation and treatment. Similar services for the education and rehabilitation of drug users should also be considered.
– Consideration should be given to the creation of a Housing Authority, or some other means, to initiate and coordinate a major drive to upgrade housing conditions throughout Maine, particularly for low-income families in rural areas where the problem is most acute.
– Rehabilitation programs within all State correctional institutions should be improved.
– Increased participation is urged in the Federal Older American Act, under which local Senior Citizens’ groups receive assistance in establishing recreational, educational, and other service programs.
– Recognition and support of the recommendations of the Maine Commission on Rehabilitation Needs.
– Improvement of and greater participation in surplus food and food stamp programs.
INDIAN AFFAIRS
Recognizing the unique relationship which Maine Indians feel with the land on which their reservations are situated, we re-affirm our belief that the choice of remaining there shall remain with them. We accept our continuing responsibility for reservation Indians to improve their conditions so that all citizens may have equal access to the rights, benefits, and protections afforded by our society. We recommend:
– The three Reservation schools be brought up to the physical and educational standards expected of all Maine public schools, with particular attention directed to the challenge of bi-cultural education.
– The Federal Government should abolish the distinction between Federal and non-Federal reservations and tribes which restricts eligibility for Federal programs.
– Provision of adequate counseling, training and other specialized services to promote social and economic improvements on the Reservations.
– Continued encouragement of Tribal responsibility for developing and administering major Reservation programs.
– Adequate expense allowances should be granted Tribal officials to encourage greater participation in governmental functions.
– We urge passage on June 17, 1968 of the bond issue to provide construction of water and sewer facilities and improved educational facilities on the Reservations.
EQUAL RIGHTS AND ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
The great ideal of equal justice under law is today facing serious challenge in our society. To meet this challenge and to encourage respect for law – the cornerstone of our society – we must reaffirm our dedication to the ideal of the rule of law and we must work for the development and implementation of effective, practical, and just solutions to the problems. We recognize the significant contributions in this field by the 102nd and the 103rd Legislative Sessions. We recommend:
– A system of elected full time District Attorneys.
– A State law enforcement training assistance program, with minimum standards of training, skill, and competence for local police officers and deputy sheriffs engaged in criminal law enforcement.
– A complete review and revision of our disclosure procedures and poor debtor laws with the objective of eliminating imprisonment for debt.
– Removal of all elements of a record when one charged with a crime is acquitted or the charges against him are dismissed.
– Gubernatorial appointment of judges of probate.
– Since justice delayed is justice denied, there should be an expansion of courtroom facilities to permit concurrent jury trials in counties experiencing trial delay from congested dockets.
– Existing exemptions in the state open housing laws should be eliminated and the law should be broadened to cover the sale of homes •.
– We favor the establishment of a human rights commission to investigate complaints and enforce compliance with all antidiscrimination laws.
– Establishment of a permanent planning commission on criminal law enforcement to provide continuing evaluation of our criminal law procedures and enforcement.
FINANCES
The most critical area of government today is that of adequately and equitably financing needed state services. We are committed not only to maintain the present level of state services, but we are determined to face realistically the new problems and greater needs confronting our state today in our effort to achieve a better tomorrow for our people.
We believe that economies can be effected in the operation of state, government, and that substantial savings would result from the consolidation of overlapping departments and agencies. We therefore recommend continuing study of the operations of all state departments.
We also recommend:
– That the State take full advantage of modern computer techniques, with expanded professional staff, improving our capability for fiscal planning and revenue projection.
– That careful analysis be made of the results of those studies of the property tax law which are currently under way, with consideration being given to the establishment of statewide assessing districts, administered by legally qualified, trained and licensed professional assessors and appraisers.
– That the Legislature be authorized to approve bond issues, with certain limitations, without the necessity of a referendum.
– That additional revenue needed for the financing of state services should be based on the principle of ability to pay and consistent with the best economic development of the State of Maine.
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
As deeply as we love our State, we are Americans first. Although this is a state platform, we recognize those great national problems which demand and deserve our attention.
– We support current efforts to achieve a negotiated settlement to the conflict and urge continuing exploration of all possible channels to a negotiated settlement. We reaffirm our support for our Government in its objective of enabling the people of South Vietnam to pursue freely their own political and economic destinies. We recognize and share the national concern over the war in Vietnam, and the national longing for peace. We welcome free and open public discussion of our Government’s policies in Vietnam, in the firm belief that this is the method by which a Democracy can best determine the course it should take.
– We reiterate our support of the United Nations as an instrument for the resolution of international tensions, and urge continued efforts to strengthen its effectiveness in the family of nations.
– As residents of Maine we are unlikely to experience directly such dramatic events as the riots in America’s great cities in the Summer of 1967. But, as Americans we cannot be blind to such grim realities of life in America’s urban ghettoes as the President’s Commission on Civil Disorders described in its report of March 1968. At the same time, we know the reality of life in Maine, with its pockets of rural poverty, and its pools of unskilled manpower.
The Democratic Party under John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson has made great advances toward bringing America’s urban and rural poor into the mainstream of our dynamic society. In civil rights and voting rights, health, education, and welfare; manpower training; economic opportunity; housing; and consumer protection — in these and other areas America has moved forward dramatically in recent years.
We cannot permit the burden of our international commitments to blind us to the social ills that afflict too many Americans. The war on poverty, on the blight of our cities and towns, on the pollution of our environment, on prejudice and discrimination, must be carried on with vigor and determination.
RESOLUTIONS
The following resolutions were adopted at the 1968 Maine Democratic State Convention in Augusta on May 18, 1968:
1. (Introduced by Campbell Niven of Brunswick and amended by George Mitchell of Falmouth)
Resolved, That the Maine Democratic State Committee appoint a Special Committee to review in depth the method of election and basis of representation of the State Committee, said Special Committee to report its findings, conclusions and recommendations to the 1970 Democratic State Convention.
2. (Introduced by Elmer Violette of Van Buren and amended by Daniel Harlan of Caribou)
Whereas, Senator Edmund S. Muskie has demonstrated a capacity for outstanding leadership and a. deep and continued commitment to the growth and development of responsive and responsible government in this country as a Legislator and Governor of the State of Maine, and as a Member of the Senate of the United States; and
Whereas, this distinguished son of Maine has since 1954 led the resurgence of the Democratic Party in the State of Maine; and
Whereas, members of the Maine Democratic Party have expressed their desire to make known to the Democratic Party in its national convention their admiration for Senator Muskie and his extraordinary record as a public servant of ability and integrity by designating him as Maine’s “favorite son” candidate for the presidential nomination of the Democratic Party; and
Whereas, Senator Muskie, believing deeply in the democratic process and in the principle of a free and open convention, has stated that he would accept the “favorite son” nomination if the Maine delegates to the National Democratic Convention were bound to vote for him on the first ballot only and could be released by him on the first ballot, on his initiative or as the result of a decision by a majority of the Maine delegates at the convention, and that thereafter each delegate would be free to vote for the candidate of his or her choice;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the delegates to the Maine Democratic State Convention, here assembled at Augusta, Maine, this eighteenth day of May, 1968, in tribute to Senator Muskie’s service to our Nation, our State and the Democratic Party, and as an expression of our confidence in his ability to serve our Nation in high national office, hereby instruct the Maine Delegation to the National Democratic Convention, acting in accordance with the heretofore expressed wishes of Senator Muskie, to designate and support him as our “favorite son” candidate for the Democratic nomination for the Presidency of the United States of America.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That Governor Kenneth M. Curtis shall be designated as Chairman of the Maine Delegation to the National Democratic Convention.
Source: Maine State Law Library.