Maine: Betsy Smith

Good morning.

The PPH has this story about earmarks that the Senate has include in the omnibus spending bill, and how much of it will be coming to Maine:

The $410 billion spending bill debated by the U.S. Senate on Wednesday includes about $21 million for some 45 projects in Maine, ranging from potato research to buying land for conservation.

I'm not opposed to such spending as a rule, only as to how the funding is to actually be used. But I point to this article for two reasons: first, the online comments will be really fun to read, and second - $21 million is only 5 thousands of a percent of the total bill.

BANGOR, Maine — The bill proposing same-sex couples be allowed to marry in Maine has not been printed yet, but supporters and opponents already are mobilizing to influence legislators and voters about the issue.

Equality Maine, which supports the measure, is holding organizational meetings around the state this week. About 50 people attended the first of four meetings Monday night at the Hammond Street Congregational Church in Bangor.

Groups that oppose same-sex marriage and support traditional marriage will hold a rally at 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, at the Augusta Civic Center. Tony Perkins, head of the Family Research Council in Washington, D.