Democratic Party Platform 1976

1976 PLATFORM – DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF MAINE

Originally published in April, the Platform was updated with “Errata Sheets” dated 8/16/76. Changes from these updates are noted in the text below, with underlines indicating inserts and strikethroughs indicating deletes.

The following is from the “General” section of the “Errata Sheets”:

A. Chairperson should be read throughout the platform for word “chairman.”

B. Employment should be read throughout the platform for the word “manpower.”

CHAPTER I

PREAMBLE

1. Since the Watergate scandal plunged this country into its darkest days since the Civil War, American public opinion has demonstrated two basic characteristics. On the one hand, there is a serious level of apathy, frustration and even resentment toward politics in particular and government in general. On the other hand, the American people want change, not for its own sake, but to correct serious injustices and fundamental inequities of our economic and social policy.

2. In the midst of celebrating our two-hundredth birthday as a nation, we have attempted to come to grips with these concerns and with the opportunity for constructive political, social and economic change within our state. In this document, the 1976 Democratic Party Platform, we have made a sincere effort to meet those needs expressed by Maine Democrats in numerous public hearings held throughout the state. The message is clear, it is an old message, as old as the two hundred years of our existence: We cannot afford to be lethargic or apathetic about the institution of government which so strongly influences all our lives. We can and must control our own destiny by putting our resources to work for the best interests of all Maine people.

3. The Maine Democratic Party Platform which follows offers a set of specific challenges for us to work toward during the next two years. They are realistic challenges which address crucial areas of Maine life. They are not just a set of idealistic promises of what ought to be. Our 1976 platform demonstrates that we, as the party of the common people, are committed to move towards an economic, social and political life in our state which allows the common person the ability to maximize his well being only at the expense of hard work and not at the expense of others.

Rep. Peter J. Curran
Platform Chairman

CHAPTER 2

AGRICULTURE AND MANAGEMENT OF ’S RESOURCES

20. AGRICULTURE

1. We support the aim of agricultural self-sufficiency in Maine . To attain this goal, we propose the following:

A. We encourage the Governor arid the Commissioner of Agriculture, in their search for new industry in the state, not to overlook the possibility of establishing small ‘value-added” industries which would use some of the agricultural products now produced here as raw materials – for example, cheese factories, wool specialty plants, and vodka factories in potato country.

B. We urge the Department of Agriculture and the University of Maine Extension Service to improve its dissemination of marketing information to Maine livestock producers in order to make it possible for them to compete more successfully with comparable growers in other northern New England states. The University and state agencies must encourage modest-sized farming efforts in hay, feed grains, fruits, and specialty products, and increase research on cull potato usage in feeds. We also recommend that the Department of Agriculture help small farmers by establishing guidelines for co-operative purchase and use of farm equipment. Diversification must be encouraged and sales tax relief should be available for purchase of farm machinery and supplies. Special labels and procedures should be developed to encourage super grades to improve the marketing of Maine products.

C. We recommend more convenient inspection of beef, swine and lamb in local custom slaughterhouses to permit sales in retail stores and requiring Maine inspection of Grade A milk sold in the state. We urge that a Federal grain reserve be established to cushion price fluctuation and shortages and urge the state Department of Agriculture to continue to pursue lower freight rates both I and out of the State of Maine so that Maine farmers and processors can effectively compete with their western competitors. We urge that a Federal grain reserve be established to cushion price fluctuations and shortages and urge the state Department of Agriculture to pursue lower freight rates into.

D. We support new or additional funding for research to aid the development of sugar beet and other vegetables in .

E. We support the elimination of the “unclassified” grade in the labeling of Maine potatoes that can be shipped out of state.

21. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT and the ENVIRONMENT

1. The Maine Democratic Party realizes the absolute necessity of a vigorous and prolonged rise in the Gross State Product so that the people of the State of Maine may enjoy the benefits of adequate state services and an ever increasing opportunity to pursue the good life within the borders of the state.

2. We hold that economic development must be stimulated at every level of government.

3. We hold that there need be no conflict between economic development and a healthy environment; rather, there must be a melding of economic necessity and environmental respect. There must be intelligent compromise which will lead to sustained economic development, yet maintain the integrity of the environment.

4. We believe that greater public control of investment would enable us to plan for and create jobs more effectively and to use all our economic resources to meet human needs and to allocate our wealth more equitably.

5. We support passage of the state referendum banning the sale of non-returnable containers as a positive action for the solution of our roadside litter problem.

22. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. We favor the stimulation and expansion of existing Maine industries and encouragement of suitable new industries.

2. We favor establishment by direction of the legislature of a comprehensive economic inventory, which will catalog available natural resources and products, employment potential, and energy potential; such a comprehensive economic inventory ought to be the basis of an in depth, long range economic development plan, which the Maine Democratic Party encourages the legislature and Governor to undertake forthwith.

3. The Maine Democratic Party urges state support of the objectives of “Project New Enterprise” as essential to the long term economic well-being of our state. We request that the legislature develop a program of financial assistance to this type of project that will be consistent with the needs of the state.

4. We urge state government to coordinate and stimulate a more constant and consistent flow of information on the possibilities of economic development to all Maine communities.

5. Increasing tax credits should be given to Maine businesses and industries for the expansion of existing industrial facilities and creation of new industrial and commercial facilities., and to include the commercial fishing industry.

6. The Maine Democratic Party strongly urges the National Executive Branch to seriously reconsider its proposed closing of Loring Air Force Base.

7. The Maine Democratic Party strongly disapproves of the Defense Department’s decision to award a machine gun contract to Belgium to the detriment of the workers of the state of Maine .

8. We urge support of the fishing industry.

A. We recommend that the Department of Marine Resources give support including technical assistance, to the formation and operation of fishermen’s purchasing and marketing cooperatives.

B. We recommend that the Department of Marine Resources expand their efforts to assist Maine fishermen in the harvesting and marketing of underutilized species.

C. We endorse the University of Maine ’s increased endeavors in the area of Marine Resources.

D. We recommend that an advisory group which includes industry representatives be formed to assist the University with setting priorities in research programs.

E. We recommend that the University establish undergraduate programs responsive to the needs of Maine students wishing to enter the fishing industry.

F. We recommend that the Department of Marine Resources and the University of Maine take steps to coordinate their marine extension programs and use these programs to increase communication between their respective organiza­tions and the fishing industry.

G. We recommend coordinated research by the Department of Marine Resources and the University of Maine to provide a scientific basis for the development and conservation of the fishing industry.

H. We urge that the State maintain its present support for the Bigelow laboratory and the Atlantic Sea-Run Salmon Commission.

I. We recommend that Congress adopt pending legislation which would give non-profit fishermen’s organizations the same recognition under Internal Revenue provisions as is presently available to agricultural organizations.

J. We support a meaningful, well-funded and well-staffed program of industrial development.

23. TRANSPORTATION

1. Recognizing that improved transportation is crucial for the economic development of the state, the continued growth of the state’s recreation industry, and the convenience of all Maine citizens, we recommend the following:

A. Improved railroad beds and restoration of rail passenger service.

B. Development of all suitable Maine ports, especially in Container handling.

C. Broadening the dedication of gasoline taxes to include all types of transportation, until that time when dedication of revenues is no longer allowed in the state of Maine .

D. Developing mere commercial mini-bus transport programs.

E. Improvement of existing bus service with special emphasis on improving the quality of bus terminals.

F. Completion of the half-finished parts of Route 95 leading to Aroostook County and improvement of highways from Houlton to Fort Kent .

G. We recommend that study be given to the providing of facilities for pedestrians and bicycles along the highways of the state where necessary.

24. LAND and WATER USE

1. We believe it should be public policy for the state of Maine to recover its full rights to the public lots.

2. We favor a state plan for the appropriate use of the mountain areas of Maine and the acquisition of park land for day use, and the development of hiking, biking and snowmobile trails.

3. We advocate further streamlining and improvement of state regulation of land and water use by:

A. Providing central locations at which all concerned state licensing agencies would have representation and where application for all necessary licenses and permits could be made.

B. Providing more technical staff and enforcement personnel for the DEP and LURC and reimbursement to Inland Fish and Wildlife for their efforts in this area.

4. We advocate classification of all lakes and ponds as to fragility.

25. ENERGY

1. The Maine Democratic Party realizes that the problems connected with energy will increasingly touch the lives of all Maine citizens. In keeping with this realization, we urge the state to adopt an imaginative, wide-ranging, comprehensive energy plan with primary emphasis upon measures to conserve the use of existing energy sources and to stimulate the rapid development and employment of alternative sources of energy. The main components of this plan should include:

A. The enactment of legislation which would create a Maine Energy Authority.

B. Strong support by the Legislature of advanced wood combustion research at the University of Maine .

C. Stimulation of home winterization projects and serious consideration of utilizing the unemployed in the performance of this task throughout the state.

D. An immediate program of citizen education in the area of energy conservation at every level.

E. Putting electrical utilities on a “time of day” metering and rate structure for residential usage. Such metering and rate structuring would charge consumers more for peak power and less for non-peak time power usage.

F. Diversion of some state gasoline tax receipts into the development and subsidation [sic] of mass transit.

G. Development of a system of commuter passes on the Maine Turnpike for Maine citizens, who regularly employ car-pooling.

H. Provide an infra-red thermography service to any homeowner or tenant requesting such a service at a reasonable cost.

I. Major tax incentives for persons employing solar and wind energy in home heating.

J. No further construction of nuclear power plants until sound and high safety and ecological standards; are met.

K. In recognition of the urgent need to stimulate efforts for conservation of energy, we urge that our State Government set an example by seeking means to utilize alternate sources at state facilities whenever feasible.

L. We urge that research be done to manufacture alcohol from off-grade potatoes for fuel.

M. We support, in the field of solid waste disposal, recycling for recoverable energy and materials.

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CHAPTER 3

EDUCATION AND CULTURE

30. PREAMBLE

1. It is the responsibility of our society to provide educational opportunities to every citizen in skills necessary to pursue a fulfilling life. The Democratic Party must work to this end; to see that people’s educational needs are met from pre-school age through adulthood.

2. The difficulty comes not in deciding what the needs are, nor in whether these needs should be met, but rather if those needs can be met. The questionable priorities of our society in the current financial situation force us to scrutinize and question every educational program. However, it must be remembered that money saved in education can never be thought to be more important than how it is going to be used.

31. EDUCATIONAL POLICY

1. We view the prospective decrease in school population as an opportunity to improve the quality of education. Lowering class size, particularly in the early grades, should be treated as an attainable goal.

2. We continue to support the principle of increasing state funding of local public schools as the most acceptable way to assure equality of educational opportunities throughout the state.

3. In view of the importance of education in a democratic society, and realizing the need for additional funding, we further recommend the development of an unencumbered federal revenue-sharing program for education, for direct allocation to local school administrative units.

4. We recommend restoring the 100% level of state funding of programs mandated by the state in order to share their costs more generally.

5. To ensure long-term educational priorities within local school unit budgets, we would like to see the responsibility of the locally elected school boards maintained or strengthened.

6. We continue to urge that all students be allowed to reach their full academic potential without the imposition of “tracking.”

7. We urge attention to, and implementation of, inflexible affirmative action plans at all levels of education in the state of Maine .

8. We, the Democratic Party support the use of non-sexist instructional material in the school. We, the Democratic Party support the use of non-sexist, non-racist and other non-culturally biased instructional material in the schools.

9. We support continued, adequate funding for the University of Maine and the Maine Maritime Academy .

32. PRE-SCHOOL and ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

1. Because evidence shows that pre-school programs are effective, we recommend as a goal that such programs be made more generally available to all children.

2. We would encourage the introduction of second-language programs for elementary students.

3. We recommend family life education as a regular part of the school program, K through 12 inclusive.

4. We strongly urge that kindergartens be made more uniformly available.

5. So that social and emotional problems may be dealt with earlier, we recommend that elementary counselors be made available to elementary students, consulting with them and their teachers.

6. We recommend consumer education as a regular part of the school program, K thru 12.

33. SECONDARY EDUCATION

1. For increased educational flexibility, we recommend that core attention be given to the definition and approval of viable alternative educational plans for students, who are not profiting from regular in-school programs – including students both above and below the mandatory age for leaving school.

2. We believe that career education is an integral part of every elementary and secondary school program, and that schools should involve appropriate state agencies to provide job placement services for graduating seniors and for others leaving formal public education, including those who have been attending regional vocational programs.

3. We realize that under affirmative action policies no student may be excluded from any courses because of sex, but we urge that core vocational programs, which meet the interests, aptitudes and abilities of female all students, be included in the regional vocational offerings.

34. POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION

1. In order that public post-secondary education may be available to as many students as possible — regardless of financial background, we propose that undergraduate tuition be maintained as low as possible, and that other means of funding be explored, e.g. sliding tuition and contract-deferred payments.

2. We urge that the state continue to expand post-secondary vocational education for Maine citizens.

3. Because the teacher is such a significant factor in the lives of school-age children, teacher education must place a greater emphasis on more adequately preparing teachers to relate to the student as a whole person. To achieve this goal, we recommend that the present educational and certification processes for teachers be upgraded.

4. We urge that any upgrading of secondary level teacher certification include greater preparation within the academic discipline in which people choose to teach.

35. UNTITLED

1. We urge that community based adult education programs to be made generally available to all Maine residents, specifically including programs designed to aid adult functional illiterates.

36. UNTITLED

1. We recommend that both the Maine Department of Education and the University extend the degree and scope of their cooperation with the educational efforts of Maine’s prisons, juvenile corrections centers and hospitals.

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CHAPTER 4

GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION, PUBLIC FINANCE

and NATIONAL AFFAIRS

40. GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION

1. To reinforce the citizens’ trust in government, control of government must be close to the people. The government which is closest to the people can more efficiently serve their needs and should satisfy those needs.

2. We recommend that the Maine Democratic Party report to the people within thirty (30) days of annual legislative adjournment, a progress report that shall: (1) list the party platform planks and (2) state what Democratic actions have been undertaken concerning each area and (3) list each action which has been successful.

41. NATIONAL AFFAIRS

1. We strongly recommend that there be a gradual reallocation of federal funds to emphasize human resources.

2. We strongly recommend that our Federal Government adopt a policy of full employment, as encompassed in the original concept of the Humphrey-Hawkins Bill.

3. We recommend that the Federal Vietnam Amnesty program be reevaluated to determine if the present program meets national needs. We feel it is time to accord unconditional amnesty to those who out of conscience resisted on of the most unpopular wars in our history, the Viet Nam conflict, and recommend universal and unconditional amnesty.

4. We recommend that the Federal Government, as part of its national economic policy, enact legislation to stabilize the budgets of state and local governments during times of recession, through a program of emergency anti-recession assistance, targeted towards areas of high unemployment. Such a program would help state and local governments to continue needed public services and ensure work for the unemployed.

5. We support funding for cost-of-living increases for disabled veterans.

6. In the recodification of the National Criminal Code, we recommend preservation of personal privacy and personal freedom.

7. We oppose the creation of the B-1 bomber force.

42. PUBLIC FINANCE

1. Taxation in Maine must be reformed so that all taxes are fair, equitable and based upon the ability to pay. Recognizing that the state of Maine has no tax policy, that the load on many citizens is extremely burdensome, and that industrial development must be encouraged, we support the implementation of tax reform.

2. We recommend the continued shifting of the tax burden from those least able to pay to those with the ability to pay. We also recommend shifting some of the burden of the local property tax to other broadbased, less-regressive taxes.

3. We recommend that the business inventory tax be re-evaluated with a view toward replacing it with an alternate source of revenue.

4. We urge federal Income Tax reform with a view to closing loopholes.

5. We advocate the goals of accountability and budget reform at both the state and federal levels.

6. We advocate the establishment of “Sunset Laws” for Maine requiring that regulatory and advisory boards shall terminate automatically unless they are able to justify their existence to the Legislature at such intervals as the Legislature shall determine.

7. We advocate the establishment of a budget committee in the Maine Legislature requiring the setting of budget priorities and tax policy at the beginning of each legislative session.

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CHAPTER 5

JUSTICE and EQUAL RIGHTS

50. PREAMBLE

1. Liberty and justice, the right to hold and protect personal property, to be safe in one’s person, to determine one’s own opinions, values, and moral standards are the birthright of every American. So precious are these rights that, so long as they do not impinge upon the rights of others, neither the government nor any individual nor any group of individuals should be able to diminish or restrict them. We reaffirm our belief in the foregoing principles, and reaffirm our commitment to preserve them and to assure that all citizens, regardless of condition or station shall share equally from the benefits they provide.

51. EQUAL RIGHTS

We recommend the following positions:

1. The Democratic Party reaffirms its support of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) for men and women and endorses efforts by all elected officials to secure ratification in those states which have yet to act. We shall continue to strive for the elimination of all distinctions in the rights and civil liberties of all males and females.

2. We urge the legislature to appropriate sufficient funds to allow the Human Rights Commission to function effectively.

3. We recommend the extension of the Human Rights Act to include all persons who are presently discriminated against.

4. We reaffirm our goal for the revision of divorce laws so that irreconcilable differences should constitute grounds for divorce without conditions. Provisions should be included to safeguard the economic rights of long-term homemakers.

5. We endorse the principal [sic] of university accountability to students in manners that directly affect their economic and academic interest.

6. In order to protect the rights of Maine citizens, the Democratic Party supports the principal [sic] of open government without secrecy and further that we encourage making the legislative hearings more meaningful, providing those hearings at locations and times most likely to offer the greatest possible citizen participation.

52. DIGNITY and PERSONAL SAFETY

1. In order that all persons, regardless of age, condition, or station be assured of dignity and personal safety, we endorse the following positions:

A. We will support measures to assure the well-being of the aged, feeble, impaired, friendless and unprotected people in our society. To this end, we recommend that the present system of advocacy be moved to the jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission.

B. In order to preserve the most basic rights off human dignity and life, we must guarantee that the aged and other unprotected persons not he abused for reasons of science or research.

C. The complex subject of the rights of the unborn and of the women carrying them has been the subject of intense discussion. While this topic perhaps belongs in the political arena, the Platform Committee feels that it is impossible to arrive at a consensual opinion which distinguishes Democrats from Republicans. We therefore recommend taking no position.

53. JUSTICE

1. Recognizing the importance of our courts and law enforcement criminal justice agencies, upon whom we must rely for an even-handed system of justice – both criminal and civil – we submit the following recommendations:

A. We support equal enforcement of the law regardless of social, political, or economic status and recommend high standards of training and commensurate compensation for law enforcement personnel.

B. Recognizing that economic disadvantage deprives many people of access to legal advice and injures their rights to equal justice, we favor the creation of an adequately-funded state-wide defender system, and we favor continued state funding of Pine Tree Legal Assistance.

C. We recommend a continuing revision of juvenile court procedures and sentencing. Given the unique status of juveniles in our justice system, we support the expansion of youth advocacy services and recommend that civil and criminal cases involving juveniles be handled in a ‘family court,” with emphasis on preventive action rather than incarceration.

D. We recognize the personal and economic suffering incurred by victims of crime and we support assistance for these victims and vigorous prosecution of violent crimes and habitual offenders through locally elected District Attorneys.

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CHAPTER 6

LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT

60. PREAMBLE

1. The core strength of our Nation, State, and Party are working men and women. They deserve the best that is possible in terms of pay, working conditions and safety, job security, and benefits.

61. LABOR MANAGEMENT RELATIONS

We advocate:

1. State Laws protecting the rights of all employees, public and private, whether or not covered by existing federal law, to organize and bargain collectively with their employers and that this activity be properly regulated for the protection of employees, employees organizations, employers, and the public.

2. Continued opposition to so-called “right to work” laws in any form and recognition of the right of all working people to achieve union security if they so desire.

3. Support of efforts to eliminate discrimination against construction workers by allowing common situs picketing.

62. WAGE PROTECTION

We advocate:

1. Amendment of the Fair Labor Standards Act increasing the National minimum wage and reflecting the cost of living which would adequately compensate all workers for their labor and eliminate present discrepancies between the states. Amendment of the fair labor standards act increasing the national minimum wage to a minimum of $3.00 which will continuously reflect the cost of living which would adequately compensate all workers for their labor and eliminate present discrepancies between the states.

2. Amendment of the “Fair Labor Standards Act to extend equal protection to all workers including minors, agricultural employees, industrial home workers and any other workers, domestics, restaurant workers, who are presently excluded from the protections set forth in this law.

3. Enforcement of the “Davis-Bacon Act” on both state and federal levels to insure that prevailing wages be paid on all public construction projects.

63. WORK SAFETY AND WORKMEN’ S CONPENSATION

We advocate:

1. Improved enforcement and administration of federal safety laws in order to insure every worker a safe and healthy workplace.

2. Expanded emergency medical treatment at or near the work site for injured employees.

3. Minimum national standards for Worker’s Compensation to include improved benefit levels commencing on day one of injury, adequate vocational rehabilitation, expanded definitions of occupational disease, and inflation protection.

4. Refined Worker’s Compensation premium structures so that Maine employers will be assessed insurance costs in line with their actual safety record.

64. EMPLOYMENT SECURITY

We advocate:

1. That legislation be adopted that guarantees to employees their wages, fringe benefits, and pension in the event of employer insolvency, bankruptcy, or relocation.

2. Stringent control over the import of foreign workers to Maine and the nation so as to insure that foreign workers do not reduce job opportunities for our workers or undermine our labor standards.

3. Controlling tariff and import policies so that more adequate consideration is given to the needs of Maine workers, particularly in the shoe and textile industries, and controlling large corporations to prevent the export of jobs overseas location of their foreign subsidiaries.

4. Amendments to the unemployment compensation laws so that no worker shall be penalized or refused benefits when forced to leave employment for reasons beyond his or her control.

65. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT

We advocate:

1. A living wage and increased benefits for all federal, state, University, county, and municipal employees with the greatest wage increases being given to those public employees on the lowest end of the salary scales.

2. Full protection for public employees to collectively bargain with their employers with sufficient funding for the Maine Labor Relations Board to expedite the process.

2A. Immediate and continuous support for the rights of public employees to resist reclassification plans which negate collective bargaining.

3. Implementation of health and safety rules and regulations for all public employees.

4. Increased benefits for retired public employees coupled with continuous and careful review of the investment policies of the Maine State Retirement System.

5. That the State of Maine treat its financial obligation to the Maine State Retirement System by making regular, planned payments into the Maine State Retirement Fund.

66. EMPLOYMENT

We advocate:

1. An immediate Jobs Program instituted by the Federal Government as a stop-gap measure for workers during this period of high unemployment and also to encourage the attainment of full employment on national and regional levels.

2. State and Federal compensation and training programs to assist in a countercyclical and timely fashion those workers adversely affected by international trade policies of the United States and also those workers who become displaced by automation.

3. That a State of Maine funded program to train workers for skilled jobs in new and/or expanding industries in the State be instituted and geared to the needs of Maine and Maine workers.

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CHAPTER 7

SOCIAL SERVICES

70. PREAMBLE

1. The Social Services Plank of the Maine Democratic Party seeks to reaffirm the inherent dignity of each individual. Through providing human services, we seek to enable each citizen to live decently in this society; through consumer advocacy, we perceive the means for individuals to be protected against rising costs and technological complexities that are beyond individual control, and often beyond individual understanding. We recognize that the ills of the human condition cannot be eliminated tomorrow; we also recognize that we, as a Party, have a responsibility to move toward the creation of a society which supports individual dignity – rather than allowing its destruction.

2. To this end, we adopt the following policies. We advocate:

A. Commitment to ongoing scrutiny of residential institutions – mental, correctional and general health – to assure that residents are receiving proper treatment and are accorded rehabilitative programs such as half-way houses which are designed to facilitate reintegration into the community.

B. Continuing efforts to reach the goal of making health care available to all Maine citizens, regardless of where they may live or what their financial capabilities may be.

C. Restructuring of assistance programs to allow flexibility in implementation and a realistic minimum standard of living for Maine people, incorporating incentives that enable recipients to gradually attain self-sufficiency without disruption.

D. Commitment to provide affordable, decent housing to Maine citizens.

E. Continued support for consumer education and protection, with special emphasis on nutrition, heating and utility costs and services, due to their fundamental nature.

3. Specifically, we make the following recommendations as steps toward implementing these policies, and out of recognition of the concerns expressed to us in Public Hearings around the state. Traditionally, the Democratic Party has spoken directly to the issues that concern the citizenry; we feel obligated to continue this policy, in an effort to let the populace know where we stand.

71. HEALTH

1. We support continued development of existing; local facilities for the mentally ill and the mentally retarded, with emphasis on treatment and administrative problems, and vocational and skill development programs. We recommend that staff be made available to assist these facilities on an outreach basis and regular schedule, as well as utilization of community and regional resources to increase the capabilities of the facilities in their efforts to resocialize the inhabitants.

2. We reaffirm our commitment to the development of regional health centers that are capable of providing health care to rural areas lacking adequate local facilities, through the use of centrally located physicians and paraprofessionals.

We recommend that where third party medical payments are involved, the technology be made available to allow indirect consultation with physicians, who cannot be physically present.

3. We support the development of community health education programs utilizing community resources, and the development of low-cost dental clinics and preventive dental health programs throughout the state.

72. HUMAN SERVICES

1. We support an investigation and re-evaluation of the AFDC program by the

legislature to determine realistic guidelines and levels of need in order to provide an adequate standard of living for recipients, as well as encourage incentive among recipients to gradually achieve self-sufficiency.

2. We recommend that the categorical grant concept be reassessed as to its adequacy in meeting the needs of Maine families.

3. We recognize the inherent difficulties in providing services to Maine citizens, due to the rural nature of the state, and support the concept and development of coordinated transportation systems to make services more widely available.

4. We recommend that educational programs be available to those wishing to operate home day care facilities to assist the operators in planning a program that will be of full benefit to the children in attendance.

5. We advocate establishing programs which would attempt to deal with the social and economic problems of pregnant women who are in need of such counseling and services, giving support to the woman in her child.

73. ELDERLY

1. We support assistance to Senior Citizens for public utility services.

2. We encourage the expansion of home health service to the elderly in all areas of the state.

3. We support housing rehabilitation monies being made available to enable elderly homeowners to increase heating efficiency and to repair health or safety hazards in cooperation with related local programs.

4. We recommend that much of the suffering of our aged to be relieved by improved Medicare and Social Security programs.

74. CHILDREN AND YOUTH

1. We reaffirm support of comprehensive day care facilities being available to every child.

2. We recommend further development of family counseling, parent training, and alternative housing arrangements for minors in need of such services.

3. We support the concept of trained juvenile officers available throughout the state.

4. We recommend continued efforts to improve enforcement and implementation of existing child abuse and neglect laws.

75. CORRECTIONS

1. We recommend comprehensive pretrial intervention and probation practices, emphasizing counseling, assistance, and supervision. We suggest the utilization of community resources that apply in assisting such programs.

2. We recommend increased community rehabilitation centers for offenders who do not require security, with counseling and assistance available to the residents. We suggest that the centers be made available to assist paroled and released individuals in resocialization.

3. We support the establishment of sufficient community facilities to coordinate local resources in dealing with juvenile offenders and potential juvenile offenders, providing counseling, group homes, remedial education and activities for the child.

4. We support legislation that would create but not limit a three-day waiting period before purchasing a hand gun. We further support meaningful legislation now before Congress which addresses itself to curbing the proliferation and manufacturing of hand guns, especially the so-called Saturday night specials.

76. CONSUMER PROTECTION

1. We support establishment of a consumer advocate seat on the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), and we recommend increasing the size of the P.U.C. staff to enable the Commission to meet effectively the increased demands placed upon it.

2. We support the utilization of county extension services and other public agencies to provide consumer education programs in nutrition, credit counseling, and related issues. We support the establishment and/or expansion of consumer education in the public schools and through general public programs, utilizing the available resources such as the State Department of Education, county extension services, and Northeast Combat, and any other such agencies, public or private which have shown a demonstrated capability to provide such educational services that have the experience called for.

3. We support a lower maximum interest rate on all consumer credit transactions.

4. We recommend that the P.U.C. investigate the electric utility rate structure to correct the current situation of high use being rewarded by low rates.

5. We recommend that the Maine Milk Commission be abolished and that its powers be relegated to other state agencies as appropriate, not to include the power to regulate prices at the resale level, instead removing that power from any agency in order to allow milk to be sold on an open retail market without price constraints forcing resale minimums damaging to Maine consumers. We move that wholesale price discrimination in the milk industry be prohibited.

Source: Maine State Law Library.

COMMITTEE ON PLATFORM AND RESOLUTIONS

Rep. Peter Curran, Chairman
Louis Maisel, Vice Chairman
Mary Morse, Vice Chairperson
Patricia Finnegan, Secretary

AGRICULTURE & MANAGEMENT OF MAINE’S RESOURCES

Charles W. Major, Chairman
Lewis Maxwell, Secretary
Constantine Albans
Clair Bradstreet
Paul Gelardi
J. Clifford Hobbins
Judy Johnson
Richard McColliste
Phyllis Roberts
Ann Rush

EDUCATION & CULTURE

Mavourneen Thompson, Chairperson
E. Parker Johnson, Secretary
Edward Cass
Peter Curran
Rae Jean Knowles
Charlene Popham
Marvin Rosenblum
Paula Smith
Ted Susi
Roland Tanguay

GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION • PUBLIC FINANCE • NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Donald Burns, Chairman
Delmont Perry, Secretary
Kennedy Crane III
Patricia Dunne
Larry Edwards
Joseph Ezhaya
Claire Malasnik
Mrs. Sanford Mautner
John O’Leary
onnie Post

JUSTICE AND EQUAL RIGHTS

Albert Gamache, Chairman
Ginger Jordan, Secretary
Cynthia H. Beliveau
Leonard Cummings
Raymond Faucher
Patty Finnegan
Frances Fink
Stephanie Locke
Louis Maisel
Norman Nelson, Sr.

LABOR & MANPOWER

Roger Hare, Chairman
Mary Morse, Secretary
Clarence Clark
James Dunleavy
Germaine Gilman
Donna Hall
Judith McAllister
Nancy Pomroy
James Tierney
Ann Twombly

SOCIAL SERVICES

Susan Studer, Chairperson
Joyce Roy, Secretary
Anthony Benedetto
Ellen Duprey
Lawrence Gross
Nancy Hill
Catherine S. C. Newel
Carol Rancourt
Kathleen Whitzell
Jasper Wyman