Both the House and Senate voted to override the governor’s veto of the bi-annual budget. Tuesday, June 30, was a long day as most vetoes were overridden by both the House and Senate. It took a twothirds vote to override. Back to the budget — military retirees are now exempt from state income tax.

The budget doesn’t do all the things our governor wanted; meaningful tax relief, roll back of welfare reform, health and safety of our children, our elderly, our veterans, and many of our most vulnerable citizens. I’ve talked with Sen. James Hamper (D-Oxford, who I personally have a lot of respect for. I can tell you that he and his committee do an outstanding job — considering. Many, many bills were brought before the House and Senate. Most were passed with the fall of the hammer and some had to have a roll call vote. Again, most Legislators were honest in their deliberations but, in my opinion, like the governor stated: “(T)hey must set aside their self-serving political agendas and put the people of Maine first.”

LD1280 — a bill that would allow for a casino in Southern Maine — falls into the governor’s statement. A casino in southern Maine will provide thousands of jobs while being built, (casino, hotel, restaurants). Just think what an economic boon that will bring to Maine. Most of the building materials come from Maine businesses. Most of those employed will come from Maine and, when operational, think of the employment opportunities for Mainers such as: Hotel (maids, janitors, handymen); Restaurants (chefs, waitresses, waiters, kitchen help etc.); Casino (bartenders, waitresses, waiters, security, finance people etc., etc.).

Let’s look at the cascade being offered — $13,760,000 for veterans. Wow! That means no more begging our Legislators to support veterans programs; Dept. of Transportation, $27,500,000; Supplement purses for Harness Racing, $8,255,000 — Sire States Fund $2,064,000; Fund to stabilize off-track betting $1,376,000 — we have one in Brunswick, owned by local businessman Gary Sagris. There’s one in Sanford (So. Maine), one in Lewiston, and one in Waterville; Agricultural Fair Support Fund $2,064,000 — we have one in Topsham and also one in Litchfield. I’ve been told that our fairs are struggling financially. What a shot in the arm would this be for those people. Can you imagine Maine without our local fairs? Hey, they’re even going to give a portion to the casinos already in operation

Last week during a press conference, a woman came to me and thanked me for supporting this bill. Her husband passed away. He had owned racing horses. She has three kids and is trying to hold things together. She said, “It’s a struggle, but lots of people are helping.”

Think about it — 6,000 or so people are connected to Harness Racing, owners, breeders, blacksmiths, veterinarian, riders, and farmers who supply the hay, oats, grain, etc.; those who make harnesses and stable workers — the list goes on and on. Harness Racing provides a livelihood for all these families. This is why I question our Legislators who vote no on this bill. They say, “I’m opposed to gambling,” “I have religious convictions” — these are some of their excuses for not supporting LD1280. It seems to me that they would think more about the people a casino in southern Maine will help.

Remember what our governor said: “Our Legislators must set aside their self-serving political agendas and put the hard working people of Maine first.”

Also what about separation of Church and State?

These are all my opinions. Remember, last week when I reported that the House passed the Southern Maine Casino Bill, and the Senate rejected it? Well, late Tuesday the House voted to send it back to the Senate, who voted to carry over this legislation to the next session. Once again, we can thank Sen. Linda Baker, R-Topsham, and Sen. Stan Gerzofsky, DBrunswick, for working hard to keep this bill alive. Also, thank you to the House members from our area who supported this bill in the House.

A resolution submitted by our Mid-Coast Veterans Council (Jim Friedlander) went a long way in helping our seniors to remain in their homes. The resolution would help with independent living and disabilities and also offer help with property taxes.

Information from the Brunswick Veterans Resource Center’s Paul Loveless: The VA has expanded disability benefits for Air Force personnel for post-Vietnam-Dioxin in Agent Orange contaminated C- 123 Aircraft. A Veterans Administration requested a report found evidence that as many as 1,500 to 2,100 Air Force and Air Force Reserve personnel while serving outside Vietnam, and served as flight, medical, and ground crew members on ORH C-123 Aircraft previously used to spray Agent Orange in Vietnam were exposed to the herbicide. This is for the time period 1969-1986. For more information, call Paul Loveless at the MCVRC (207) 406-4103.

Focus in Washington has shifted to the Blue Water Navy Veterans and pending legislation to remedy a flaw in VA Policy. Legislation introduced by Sen. Kristen Gillenbrand, D-New York, along with Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, is scheduled for a “mark up” hearing before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on July 14. Contact Maine Senators Angus King, I, and Susan Collins, R, and urge their support.

Last week Sen. King and Sen. Collins announced a $15 million allocation to Maine to eliminate homelessness, while the Maine Legislature voted to carry over a bill that would provide housing (cabin in the woods) for Maine’s Homeless Veterans. It seems to me that the veterans in Maine deserve a piece of the action ($15 million). After all, Maine’s veteran population with families and survivors account for at least a third of the state’s population.

George T. Files Post 20, American Legion, will have a contract signing on July 13 to formally take ownership of the Evergreens Senior Center. Also plans are progressing for our official dedication on Aug. 1.

Coming Events:

— DAV Chapter 15, meeting at the Brunswick Elks Tuesday 6 p.m. July 7. Chapter 15 members are urged to attend, also local disabled veterans.

— The MCVC annual golf tournament is still looking for teams to participate. Call the Resource Center for further information at (207) 406-4103.

Also, friend and veterans advocate Gil Ormsby is in rehab at the Bodwell Center; visitors are welcome.

From the Coffee Crowd: Jim decided to keep his Red Socks, Goodwill probably wouldn’t take them. Dante is still smiling, talking politics and Yankees.

Till next time, Keep the Faith

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Chick Ciciotte is the legislative chairperson for the Mid-Coast Veterans Council. He lives in Topsham.