AUGUSTA, Maine - With the usual pomp and ceremony, the 186 members of the incoming Maine Legislature took the oath of office at the State House today, as friends and family members looked on. Gov. Paul LePage and the leaders of the two major parties talked about working together, even as procedural disputes marked the opening day.
Gov. LePage administered the oath of office in separate ceremonies in the House and Senate chambers, and in brief remarks, told lawmakers that as they embark on their work over the next two years, he is open to discussing all the issues.
"We have a lot of work to be done," LePage said, "and I want you all to know that my door will be open to meet with each and every one of you who choose to come and discuss any questions you have of our office."
Newly-elected Senate President Mike Thibodeau, a Republican from Winterport, told colleagues on both sides of the aisle that the voters delivered a clear message in last month's election: By electing a Republican Senate and a Democratic House, Thibodeau says the people want lawmakers to set aside partisan differences and work together.
"This means nothing happens unless we work together," Thibodeau said. "In short, the voters said, 'Work it out.' They don’t want to hear excuses."
Rep. Mark Eves, a Democrat from North Berwick, was re-elected as speaker, and delivered a similar message to his House colleagues.
"We all have a conscious choice to make: Will we work together to put jobs first, or will we choose gridlock?" Eves said. "We can choose the gridlock that has left the middle class behind, or we can make an honest effort to put jobs first."
Eves also urged lawmakers to make the needs of Maine’s seniors a priority in the coming session. Over in the House, Thibodeau made a case that Maine voters would also like action taken on Maine’s over-extended welfare system.
"It’s time for real and meaningful welfare reform," Thibodeau said. "It doesn’t matter if it occurs once a day, once a week, once a month or once a year. This should not happen."
But the launch of the 127th Legislature was also marked by a partisan dispute over procedure. At issue was who could vote in the election for House speaker. Republican Floor Leader Ken Fredette, of Newport, objected to allowing the tribal representatives to participate in the vote.
"As a constitutional issue, our caucus believes that there are 151 members that are entitled to vote for speaker of the House," Fredette said.
The issue was resolved by Fredette withdrawing his nomination to be speaker and electing Eves by acclamation, along with a promise by Eves that the House Rules Committee will consider the concern raised by the Republicans when the Legislature reconvenes in January.
The political squabbling delayed the joint convention of the Legislature to elect the attorney general, secretary of state and state treasurer.
