Logo on GOP 1970 Platform Pamphlet
When Maine became the 23rd State to join the Union 150 years ago she had already earned a prominent place in history … for it was here, along the Coast of Maine, that the strength, ingenuity and determination to live on this continent as free men, was fostered … individual responsibility is still the key to freedom. Maine Republicans will work for a combination of this spirit with an efficient State Government that will be alert and sensitive to the needs of the people. We urge all Maine citizens to work toward these goals.
I. WE SUPPORT President Nixon in his world affairs and foreign policies … in his quest to bring about an honorable peace for Southeast Asia … and his efforts to guard against leaving the Southeast Asian people at the mercy of their communist neighbors. We support the President’s program for Consumer Affairs protection … his efforts to curb inflation and bring the Federal budget into sound balance … and his program for Justice, Law and Order. The President’s plan for tax-sharing with the States has our support. And we recognize the United Nations as the best agency to carry out the peace-making and peace-building functions so necessary for the survival of all mankind.
II. REPUBLICANS WILL make ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION beneficial for all of Maine by supporting public education in and further legislation action to:—propose a constitutional amendment declaring that every person has an inalienable right to a decent natural environment … safeguard our coast against all pollution … prevent improper and negligent use of our environmental resources … establish minimum standards for land utilization and development … adopt State-wide guidelines for enforceable ordinances … extend coastal wetland laws to include inland waters … continue setting aside land for public recreation … provide the necessary money and personnel to make the Environmental Improvement Commission more effective … increase conservation methods and protection for our fisheries and marine resources … Support the proposed Constitutional amendment which will provide for land valuation based on current use.
III. THE DEPARTMENT of Economic Development should be redesigned and restructured, with properly divided areas of responsibility, in order to improve the economic growth of the State … in the continuing search for new industry, and the expansion of present industry, we recommend consideration of tax reforms and other incentives.
IV. WE RECOGNIZE that our industrial climate is enhanced by excellent labor-management relations and that the high quality and genuine dedication of the Maine labor force is a major factor in the development and growth of our economy … we recommend an increase in the minimum hourly wage rate for all workers, including State employees … we believe that every employee should be included under State laws covering minimum wages, unemployment, and workman’s compensation excepting domestic, agricultural and casual employees … the feasibility of combining federal old age assistance with the existing State retirement system should be considered … a 40-hour work week should be standard for all State employees, who should also have the right of some form of collective bargaining … and procedures for the State Personnel Board should be reviewed, to broaden the Board’s area of activities.
V. SINCE AGRICULTURE is one of our basic industries, we urge greater promotional efforts for Maine products on both the national and international levels. Legislation to provide the agricultural producer with the means to move his product to market in a more rapid, orderly and effective manner will be supported … and that the legislature should work to make it easier and to bring seasonal help into the state.
VI. WE RECOMMEND a Department of transportation. We support the concept of an integrated transportation system … the development of our port facilities … improvement of East-West transportation conditions … and a return to the four year planning-financing program of the State Highway Commission.
VII. FOR BETTER LIVING conditions we recommend:—increased State subsidies for Maine students studying medicine and dentistry who agree to practice in Maine … expansion of facilities and teacher training for the mentally retarded … establishment of a program of regionalized medical clinics in rural areas, with visiting paramedical teams … expansion of a statewide program of diphtheria, rubella and polio inoculations available to Maine children … improvement and expansion of our psychological and vocational rehabilitation program … the Federal Government expand the geriatric care unit at the VA Hospital at Togus and the federal government increase the amount an individual may earn before becoming ineligible for Social Security benefits … enactment of legislation to further improve the economic living conditions of our elderly people … enactment of an expanded treatment program for persons suffering from drug addiction … a strong program of regional and urban mass housing to be developed by the State Housing Authority … and enactment of a properly-drafted rent escrow bill.
VIII. THE DANGERS of drug abuse require more severe penalties for drug pushers and an increased information program for our schools … protection from violence, and the threat of violence, is a basic right of all citizens and we will support crime control legislation to help law enforcement agencies meet the challenges of crime, including full-time prosecution, a better crime laboratory and improved training for sheriffs and local police … Every citizen has a constitutional right to keep and bear arms. The so-called gun control laws do not aid law enforcement and we oppose licensing and registration of firearms because they penalize honest citizens and do not deter criminals … expansion and improvement should be made in the work-release programs of our correctional institutions, and encouragement given to the development of “half-way houses” … we support reformation of the county jail system through consolidation, modernization and relocation … to protect against consumer fraud, we recommend a Consumer protection Council, to be administered by the Attorney General’s Department … we support the creation of a Bureau of Narcotics and Drug Control within the Department of the State Police.
IX. WITH THE RAPID growth and the accompanying increased burden to Maine taxpayers, we recommend a thorough review, and reorganization if necessary, of state government … we recommend program budgeting with established goals and priorities for all state programs … we favor lowering the voting age to 20 … and hope this will encourage lowering the voting age at the National level … we will develop a practical and feasible year-round Intern program which will allow High School and College Students to apply for work in State Government … Maine Republicans support single Representative Districts … the elimination of Straight ballot voting … and consideration of regular re-registration for voters … we will seek realistic tax relief for our older citizens … and a new fair and equitable, formular [sic] for the payment of school subsidies … we urge uniform assessment practices … and a review of the laws covering County Government.
X. STATE AID to public education should be reviewed and updated … the development of two-year Community Colleges to augment the University system is recommended … we urge a high priority for Vocational schools and recommend creation of the position of assistant Commissioner of Education for Vocational Education … we will support legislation for voluntary prayers in schools.
The Convention in addition adopted the following resolution: – Resolved: That this State Convention shall express its desire that the efforts of the Governor to promote an oil refinery in Washington County be opposed, and that we go on record as recognizing that the great majority of the citizens of Washington County neither want nor need this questionable installation, despite the efforts of the Governor and other Democrats to convince us that it is needed and desired.
Source: Maine State Library