Hannah Pingree

This year there were seven legislators in the Maine delegation to the Democratic National Convention, more than in recent history.

PolitickerME had the opportunity to talk with four state lawmakers at the delegation breakfast Thursday. State Rep. Elaine Makas (D-Lewiston) and Maine House Majority Leader Hannah Pingree (D-North Haven) are Obama delegates, and Rep. Cynthia Dill (D-Cape Elizabeth) and Sen. Phillip Bartlett (D-Gorham) are Clinton delegates.

In addition, Reps. Jon Hinck (D-Portland), Christopher Babbidge (D-Kennebunk) and Linda Valentino (D-Saco) spent the week in Denver.

Maine’s delegates to the Democratic National Convention are on both sides of the fence when it comes to having a roll call vote for Hillary Clinton.

Presumptive nominee Barack Obama’s campaign made the announcement along with Clinton’s campaign that Clinton’s name will be submitted for nomination in the first round of balloting.

Before the announcement was officially made, PolitickerME sent out an e-mail survey to all of the elected DNC delegates.

Two Clinton supporters responded, and both favored a roll call vote. Seven Obama supporters responded. Three favored a roll call, three opposed it and one would not comment on the issue.

Congressional candidate Chellie Pingree: Campaign photoIn case you missed it, check out reporter Paul Carrier’s piece in the Portland Press Herald where he examines the relationship between Hannah and Chellie Pingree, and what might happen if Chellie is elected to Congress and Hannah is elected Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives.

Carrier writes:

Video: Chellie Pingree, a Democrat running for the First Congressional District, gave the following speech at the Maine Democratic Convention this weekend. She was introduced by her daughter, Hannah Pingree, who serves as majority leader in the Maine House of Representatives. Click here for video of the introduction.

"Health Coverage for Maine" was registered as a PAC on May 20th. The purpose of the group, according to the registration filing is to oppose the People's Veto or the repeal of LD 2247.

The group is headed by Ezra Hark, who according to his myspace page is a recent graduate of Colby College and worked on the re-election campaign for Governor Baldacci. In addition, he served as a Legislative Aid for the House Democrats. He also has a picture of himself riding a merry-go-round and according to his myspace entry, his favorite drink is Jack and Ginger, he prefers Coke over Pepsi and does not care for red-heads. All of which can only lead to one conclusion-- please -- dear God, enough with the myspace entries. Parents -- stop your children now before it's too late.

“Toxic Hannah” Pingree will be on CBS Evening News with Katie Couric tonight at 6:30.

Pingree, Maine’s House Majority Leader, participated in a Natural Resources Council of Maine study last year where her body was tested for chemicals, an effort to bring awareness to the hazards found in everyday items.

For the past four years Pingree has led efforts to ban penta, octa and deca, flame retardant chemicals found in television sets and furniture.

The Kennebec Journal wrote an editorial today criticizing Democrats in the Legislature for adding in new beer and wine taxes late at night without a public hearing.

Tuesday night, lawmakers approved a $0.54 per gallon tax on beer, $0.65 per gallon tax on wine, $0.42 per gallon tax on soda to pay for the hurting Dirigo health care program. Click here for the KJ’s coverage.

The editorial stated: “There may very well have been strong arguments to be made about the need for sin taxes…. But sadly, those arguments were never made in a public forum. The public couldn't respond to the proposal. And the result was a last-minute tax increase foisted on Maine consumers.”

At the end of the editorial, they suggested that a taxpayer rebellion could be on the way.

PolitickerME asked six Democrats in the Legislature how they were feeling about the budget that passed. Responding in the video below: House Speaker Glenn Cummings, D-Portland; Senate President Beth Edmonds, D-Freeport; House Majority Leader Hannah Pingree, D-North Haven; Senate Majority Leader Libby Mitchell, D-Vassalboro; Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Windham; and Rep. Emily Cain, D-Orono, a member of the Appropriations Committee.

In addition, the Senate Majority Office has sent on this video of Sen. Peggy Rotundo’s floor speech. Rotundo, D-Lewiston, is the chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee.

UPDATE:  The Republican amendments have been voted down, and the budget has been sent to the Senate.

With six hours left to close the budget, there’s some buzz in the hallways over the latest hold up.