AUGUSTA — A deadline is a deadline, regardless of whether it applies to a citizen or state government. That was the ruling by Kennebec County Superior Court Justice Donald Marden in one of two cases involving people's veto petition signatures. Marden ruled in favor of Maine Republican Party Chairman Charlie Webster, who sued Secretary of State Matt Dunlap last month after Dunlap missed his 30-day deadline for deciding on the validity of signatures calling for a people's veto of a new tax reform law. Webster argued that because the state missed the deadline, it forfeited its authority.

In this season of hope and giving the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes, Inc. have joined forces to invite Americans to “send a touch of home” to United States service members and veterans across the country and abroad. In its third year, the Holiday Mail for Heroes program is an opportunity to share joy and thanks with our service members throughout the holiday season by way of a greeting card.

Greetings, this is Josh Tardy, leader of the Republicans in the Maine House. Four weeks from now, the Legislature will convene for a Second Session that will be anything but pleasant. The dominating factor will be the continuing shortfall in state revenues. In July, a new two-year state budget went into effect, totaling $5.8 billion. That is $500 million lower than the last budget, marking the first time in decades that the state’s budget has actually gone down. Next month, legislators will be told that we have to cut an additional $383 million. Revenue from the sales tax, the corporate tax and the income tax is running below worst-case projections.

Despite a pending court challenge, it appears likely that LD 1495, the tax reform package, will be subject to a people’s veto. Since the Maine GOP supported these efforts, and the measure would appear on the June 2010 primary ballot, we decided to contact Republicans running for governor for their thoughts on the issue.

It may seem early for the 2010 congressional campaign to start, but not for Jason Levesque. The Auburn businessman has been hitting fairs and factories for six months as the Republican sets his sights on Maine’s 2nd District congressional seat held by four-term Democratic Rep. Mike Michaud.