Hobart’s Rebuttal: LD 1649

Well I guess this old dog just doesn’t want to lay down, so here goes. There are 151 representatives in the Maine House and my critics would lead you to believe I am the most powerful one with the ability to kill any legislation I see fit.

LD 1649 was a very controversial bill that amounted to subsidies. I don’t like subsidies but so many people in my district passionately supported this bill that I felt the need to support it. I feel that I got elected to represent the people, not myself. I approach every bill by listening to both sides then apply two principles — common sense and what is in the best interest of my constituents.

Much to the dismay of my caucus members and the chief executive, I do not always vote down party lines. Check it out — it is on record. So on April 29 — I call it Black Friday — I supported a subsidy bill LD 1649 for the override of the veto. Then the folks in the black hats performed a procedure they call ordinary. The folks in the white hats never use that procedure. I felt it necessary to abstain because I had had enough of a bill I did not believe in. If I had participated with a vote either way it would not have changed the outcome.

Two members of my caucus were absent that day — one in the hospital and one out of state — and they were both votes to sustain the veto. Fifty votes were all that was needed to sustain the veto and they had that with or without me. Abstaining from a vote by taking “a walk” is quite common in the legislature, no matter the color of your hat. Sometimes you find yourself in a “ damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation.

The most difficult part of being a Representative is finding the truth. On LD 1649 I didn’t trust the “facts” from either side. Now that three weeks has passed there has been at least three major solar projects announced. If LD 1649 had passed someone would be taking credit and no one would be the wiser.

The founding fathers meant for legislation to be “ slow” and “ deliberate” for a reason and there is no hurry to have a solar energy policy for Maine. A balanced compromise is in the best interest for Maine. You know you have a balanced compromise when you have something that works for everyone and nobody wants.

This is an election year and I am going to run one more time. I am not a career politician and believe our term limits are not strong enough. If you connect the dots between letter writers and candidates you will find a strange definition of a clean campaign.

In the upcoming election if you are frustrated with the choices on the ballot, decide to stay home and not vote, be warned you may get criticized.

Brian Hobart,
Bowdoinham