To the editor:
On occasion, when Maine people feel the Legislature is moving too slowly on a policy, they will force a referendum vote through a citizen-initiated petition. This “power to the people” citizen petition process is enshrined in the Maine Constitution. The power to petition our elected officials is reserved solely for Maine residents.
This important and constitutionally guaranteed right was recently hijacked by the Washington, D.C.-based organization, Humane Society of the United States, (HSUS).
Several weeks ago, 78,000 signatures were submitted to the Maine Secretary of State for a citizen-initiated petition to ban bear baiting, hounding, and trapping. Before any voter makes a decision on this initiative, we think it is critical that the public know exactly who was circulating these petitions, and what their real agenda is.
First, the group here in Maine that is proposing this initiative is called “Mainers for Fair Bear Hunting.” An interesting name considering that over 99 percent of its funding has come from one special interest group — HSUS.
To compound our concern, the work of the Humane Society of the United States reveals a much different picture than most Maine voters might realize. In reality HSUS is a highly sophisticated political organization based in Washington, D.C. with an annual budget in excess of $150,000,000. They put this budget to work all over the country by creating shell organizations made up of a few locals, then propose legislative or referendum strategies to dismantle scientific wildlife managements strategies and hunting traditions. Instead of having a groundswell of local support, they use their significant cash resources to buy elections based on emotions, not science.
Not surprisingly, that seems to be the direction they plan to take Maine in this year.
Throughout the course of the fall, concerns regarding the proponent’s campaign tactics regularly came into question. Then, in mid-January, Bangor Daily News outdoor writer John Holyoke reported how HSUS signature gatherers were misleading potential signers with outrageous statements about the need to outlaw hunting and trapping methods that were already illegal.
Holyoke’s article also revealed that HSUS was using paid signature gatherers, and had hired the California consultant and petition firm, PCI, to manage the paid petitioners. PCI and HSUS have worked together on referendum efforts for 16 years.
This was confirmed later in January when proponents filed their most recent campaign finance report that revealed that they had spent in excess of $150,000 on professional signature gatherers from California. That works out to roughly $3 per signature. We expect this number to be reported much higher after the next campaign finance deadline.
The Maine Constitution clearly states that those people circulating petitions must be registered Maine voters. Article IV, Part Third, Section 20 states: “circulator” means a person who solicits signatures for written petitions, and who must be a resident of this State and whose name must appear on the voting list of the city, town or plantation of the circulator’s residence as qualified to vote for Governor;”
So, we must ask ourselves, why did HSUS spend in excess of $150,000 to a firm in California to collect signatures? And, why would they need to hire such a firm if they had enough support here in Maine? Answer: Because non-resident, paid petitioners will say or do anything to get people to sign their petition.
This loophole in the Constitution, exploited by HSUS, has created a model whereby special interests from all over the country and world can use their money and power to manipulate our state government — a tactic that should send chills down the back of every Maine voter.
The truth is, HSUS has little regard for any of Maine’s public processes whether they are wildlife management working groups or campaign law. They will exploit our referendum processes in order to advance an anti-hunting, anti-science political agenda, that, in this case, will destroy a nationally recognized bear management program at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
We look forward to the debate on this issue, and are confident that Maine voters will reject the questionable campaign tactics of the HSUS in favor of sound scientific management of one of Maine’s most precious natural resources.
Joel Pitcher
organizer/business representative
IAMAW, District Lodge No. 4
David Trahan
executive director
Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine
