The Augustan

Representative Ann Peoples (D-Westbrook) voted in favor of LD 591 yesterday, while Representative Tim Driscoll (D-Westbrook) opposed the bill. The bill, according to the Maine Votes database, would require "a contractor or subcontractor entering into a contract for a public work on or after July 1, 2008 that is $10,000 or more [to] provide documentation demonstrating that all employees working on the project have completed a construction safety training course, no shorter than 10 hours in duration, approved by the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration." Penalties for failing to provide documentation would result in fines and possibly the removal of undocumented employees and/or cancellation of the contract.

The Maine House of Representatives passed the legislation, 70-66. Seventy-six percent of House Democrats supported the bill, 10% of Democrats opposed the bill, and 13% of Democrats did not vote. Conversely, 1% of Republicans supported the bill, 93% of Republicans opposed it, and 5% did not vote. And finally, 50% of Independents opposed LD 591 and 50% of Independents did not vote.

- John C.L. Morgan