Our state legislators are about to get fired up. House and Senate sessions are beginning to hear legislative documents, referring them to their committees for Hearings (Public) and for Workshops. When final committee recommendations Ought To Pass or Ought Not To Pass, they will come to the floor (House and Senate) for a vote, then to the Governor for his signature — approve or veto.

We were at the State House last week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and attended six Hearings. We testified at five:

. LD-1 — names the Rt. 1 bridge over the Saco River in Standish and Limington, The Veterans Memorial Bridge. The Committee vote was unanimous , OTP.

. LD-11 — An act to exempt the sale of the United States Flag from sales tax. The Committee vote was unanimous, (OTP).

. LD-43 — an act to make false claims of military service a crime. The Committee voted to go to Workshop.

. LD-50 — An act to authorize 3 free sets of license plates for 100% disabled veterans and also free registration. The committee voted to go to Workshop.

. LD-55 — To direct the Dept. of Transportation to name the Interstate 95 rest area in Hampden The Joshua Chamberlain Rest Area. The Committee voted to go to Workshop.

We also attended Senate sessions on Tuesday and Thursday. During the morning this week the House and Senate Legislators will be on vacation; however, there will be committee meetings. We will attend those meetings that affect veterans and their survivors on Tuesday, Feb. 17, Wednesday, Feb. 18, and Thursday, Feb. 19, namely the Appropriations Committee in conjunction with the Taxation Committee. Subject: Tax Exemptions.

. LD-172 — An act to allow Gold Star parents who are Maine residents to use the Maine Turnpike at no charge.

. LD-173 — An act to amend the laws governing the Gold Star Family Registration Plate.

. LD-170 — An act to remove the 180 day active duty requirement for the property tax exemption for Vietnam Veterans.

Conversations regarding the Governor’s proposed budget seems to dominating the hallway between the House and Senate chambers. Of course, the hallway is where you will find most of the lobbyists and talk about minimum wage, immunization, children’s issues, (hunger), elderly, tax breaks, weatherization, nursing homes, and education as well as public safety issues.

A lot of these things effect “We The People.” We need to keep our eyes open and our hearing clear. We must become involved, know who your Legislators are. Don’t be afraid to let them know how you feel — remember, you’re their constituents. It doesn’t matter what party you belong to — they’re there to represent all of us.

We have requested the naming of the five mile section of Route 127 on Arrowsic Island to honor Vienam casualty, KIA, Merwin (Nicky) Deland. Sen. Baker (Saganahoc County) and Jeff Pierce (Arrowsic) will sponsor this request. We have also requested legislative sentiment to honor one of our veterans. Sen. Gerzofsky (Brunswick) and Rep. McCreight (Harpswell) will sponsor this request.

To date our Mid-coast Legislators are busy doing what they were elected to do. I’ve had the opportunity to observe and listen to most of them at Senate and House sessions or committee hearings. So far I’m impressed. I’ll keep you updated. They’ll be voting soon.

We went to Westbrook on Wednesday, Feb 11, for the Governors Town Hall Hearing. It was a good crowd with lots of veterans wearing their service hats. Gil Ormsby, Read Rich and myself represented the American Legion Post 20, Brunswick and Matthew Gabaut, Post 202 Topsham, and Joyce Vellieux, Post 83, Freeport. The meeting went well. Remember, “We The People,” can make it work if we pay attention and leave out the politics.

Veterans receiving a non-service connected pension, please remember, if you are receiving a non-service connected pension you must notify the VA immediately of any family income, this includes Social Security benefits. If you do not, you run the risk of collections. Some have been quite a significant.

The nine-member Military Compensation Retirement Modernization Commission have released its final report. The Commission reviewed the breadth of the military compensation system, including health care, programs that could influence the decision of current or future service members to stay in uniform or leave the service. The reports recommendations will be limited to future service members, retirees, and veterans. But Congress has no restriction on legislation that will impact current active duty and reserve personnel, veterans and retirees. Veterans are encouraged to call our 4 Congressional Delegates (Pingree, Poliquin, King and Collins). Ask them to exclude Defense from sequestration.

Veterans of the Gulf War who were deployed to the Persian Gulf Region any time from Aug, 1, 1990, through July 1,1991, and are experiencing Gulf War Illness symptoms such as fatigue, muscle and joint pain, sleeping difficulties, and memory loss, should contact our Veterans Resource Center at 406- 4103.

Interesting, Gordon Weil’s column on Feb. 13: “Measles Issue Mixes Politics, Science.” A number of people we talk to totally agree, children should get measles shots. Kudos to Mr. Weil.

Coming Events:

. Tonight, Monday, Feb. 16, Maine Veterans Coordinating Committee will meet at 7 p.m. at the Maine Veterans Home in Augusta.

. On Wednesday, Feb. 25, the General Membership meeting will take place at 6 p.m. at the Brunswick Legion Post 20, Veterans Resource Center (at the former base).

. The Mid-Coast Veterans Council meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27.

Alert: Legislative Document #280 (LD280) has been brought to the House and Senate floor, which recommended it be referred to the Committee on Taxation. LD-280 is an act to exempt military pensions and survivor benefits from Maine Income Tax. This legislation affects many retirees and survivors in the mid-coast area. Call your local legislator and ask for their support. I will let you know when this bill comes up for a vote. I’ll be asking you to make the trip to Augusta to show your support.

From the coffee crowd — Jim is celebrating another birthday, Wed. Feb. 18, “Happy Birthday Jim.” Bob and I had a lengthy conversation about politics in Augusta — Democrats vs. Republicans, and vice versa. Since when did measles become a political party issue? Oh Well!

‘Til next time, keep the faith.

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Chick Ciciotte is the legislative chairperson for the Mid-Coast Veterans Council.