Jim Seymour, PATFA vice president, represented our organization at a "Labor Lobby Day" at the Maine State House in Augusta on Feb. 11. Following are his observations:
Feb. 11 was a (cold) day to join the ranks of our brothers and sisters of the AFL-CIO, and the general consensus was that the turnout was strong and well-organized. I wanted to at least let my appearance add to the bodies of loyalists and to get a sense of the local labor movement from the perspective of the Legislature.
I ended up spending much of the time - once our legislative reps found their seats at around 10:30 a.m. - in the Senate chamber. I was immediately struck by the somewhat maddening fact that the esteemed body is still profoundly an "old boys' club." Only six female senators out of 36 - and all of them Democrats. Why am I not surprised? I was pleased to witness at least several votes on the floor: one to override the Governor's veto of funds for "food deficient" kids during the summer months and the other a vote to extend ballot access during elections. A victory on both counts for our Democratic comrades. Whether that translates to law is still to be determined, I believe.
This led me to consider the undeniable truth that over the course of 238 years of our American democracy one must conclude that government, while flawed and often insufficient, can - and must - provide some basic good. I imagine food for hungry children would top a list of any provisions, especially as these issues relate to future concerns of Senate committees on Education, Maine's Workforce and Economic Future, Criminal Justice and Public Safety, and Health and Human Services. Where is the future if you're raising hungry kids?
We all posed for a group picture in the Hall of Flags (under a rather severe portrait of George Mitchell) and convened for lunch in the cafe. Diet Coke and ham sandwiches seemed perfectly appropriate.
-- Jim Seymour, PATFA vice president