News Feature - Maine State Senator Chloe Maxmin on the Pine Tree Amendment
Maine State Senator Chloe Maxmin spoke with Village Soup about LD 489, the Pine Tree Amendment, in an interview on March 26.
This proposal would amend the Maine State Constitution to grant “a right to a clean and healthy environment and to the preservation of the natural, cultural, recreational, scenic and healthful qualities of the environment” as a constitutional right for all Mainers.
The resolution is cosponsored by Representative Bill Pluecker as well as other senators and representatives.
It also has support from the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.
And if there is a natural disaster, who sues whom? Is it the State's responsibility to regain the status quo? For every property owner that suffers flood damage? Is it wise for the State to take on legal liability for preserving the air, the water, the scenery, etc? Suppose that another state or country by some indiscretion, foreseeable or not, impacts the environment? Most activities come with costs and benefits. Windmills might be great for the environment generally, but bad for scenery. Who decides? Lawyers/Politicians? I hope not. This is a short-sighted law partially motivated by goals of personal aggrandizement for its writers and supporters. Please spare us from a law like this!