MEDIA COVERAGE OF MAINE'S LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION TO ARCHANGEL, JANUARY 2003

Newspaper Pravda Severa, 22 January 2003, Front Page

Headline (Lead Article with Photo): "So That The Public Can Object"

"Representatives from the American State of Maine Visit the Oblast Assembly"

"Legally, American Style"

They are interested in the work of our legislators, the extent to which it differs from the activities of their legislature, how relations between the branches of government operate, how the budget is passed and whether the public participates in the consideration of legislation.

Yesterday in the office of the Chairman of the Oblast Assembly, Vitali Fortygin, the first meeting between these colleagues took place, looking more like a press conference. The Arkhangelsk Deputies asked about the number of voters in districts and the necessary percentage of turn-out for the validity of elections, whether the powers of the Speaker are substantial, for what length of term state representatives are elected, and they asked about party discipline and lobbyists.

The Americans responded: The leader of the state legislature appoints the heads of committees. If the Speaker is for the budget, but a committee chair is against it, no one should be surprised if the committee chair no longer has an office.

Question: - And what about equal rights?

Answer: - Some people have more rights than others.

Question: - What is the minimum percent voter turnout in order for elections to be considered valid?

Answer: - We don't have that concept. If only one person votes, the representative will still be elected.

Question: - How do people in the legislature deal with lobbyists?

Answer: - This is a normal occurrence. We have three types of lobbyists - ordinary citizens representing the interests of the population; representatives of social organizations; and lawyers who represent the interests of those who pay them. Strict rules apply to hired lawyer lobbyists - they cannot make bribes, give gifts, even treat a legislator to a cup of coffee. Lobbyists do not try to enact or prevent legislation from being passed - they try to make revisions for the benefit of their client.

Question: - When does a law become effective once it is enacted?

Answer: - 90 days. In order for the public to make sense of it, consider it and object through referendum. We call this a "People's Veto".

Our Deputies responded: In the Arkhangelsk Oblast we are working on a regional law on elections. In 2004 the Assembly will be elected according to a proportional system - a party will receive a proportionate percentage of deputy seats. We still have not decided what threshold percentage will apply to a party which has a presence-in the Assembly and whether there will even be one.

Question: - Is the largest party the Unity Party?

Answer: - Although they would not claim so, they are the largest fraction in the Assembly.

The members of the Maine House of Representatives will be in Arkhangelsk several days, will have discussions with the Oblast Administration on how laws are executed, how they are enacted by the deputies, they will meet with the Governor, and will discuss with their colleagues social problems of the State and Oblast.

Lyubov Podoksyenova

Newspaper Arkhangelsk, 22 January 2003, Front Page

Headline (Lead Article with Photo): "We Have Something to Learn from Each Other"

Nikolai Moskvin

On Monday evening American legislators from the State of Maine arrived in Arkhangelsk on a flight from St. Petersburg. They were probably surprised to be greeted on the tarmac at Talagi Airport by a substantial group of reporters.

At the request of the TV crew (for technical reasons) an impromptu press conference was set up on the steps of the VIP waiting room. Due to the cold it did not last long: the Americans were lightly dressed and without hats (apparently they were hoping that it would warm up a little in Arkhangelsk for their arrival). They stated that they have come to our City to become acquainted with the work of our legislators. The Americans want to know how the deputies help their constituents. In addition, one of their goals is to find out how their Russian colleagues resolve this or that problem, and perhaps take advantage of our experience in their own work.

Incidentally, this is the second visit by Maine legislators to Arkhangelsk. The previous one took place in December 2001 - also during the cold weather.

Our deputies visited their colleagues across the ocean and picked up a lot of useful things. Take for example a small nuance such as the playing of the anthem at the beginning and end of each session. This idea was borrowed from the U.S. In addition, the rules of procedure governing the Oblast Assembly, which are being developed right now, are based in many ways on the American model.

During the visit by our deputies in America they were very surprised that many school children were present in the assembly hall, engaging in valuable activities. The children observed the activities of the legislators, learned respect for the law, learned the meaning of government, what branches of power comprise it. In America this is a normal practice, and as a consequence many school children themselves become legislators.

The visit by the Americans in Arkhangelsk will last until the end of the week. During this time, together with deputies of the Oblast Assembly, they will discuss the relationship between branches of the government, how the limits of jurisdiction are determined, the budget process, and will discuss the subject of domestic violence.

In addition, a comprehensive program of familiarization is planned for the Americans. They will go to the Solombala Lumber Plant, the Museum of Graphic Art, Dobrolyubov Library, Malye Karely and other places.

In the Photo: Greeting at the Airport

Photo by Vitaly Krekhalev

Newspaper Arkhangelsk 23 January 2003

Headline (Second Article Front Page): "How Laws are Born in America"

Andrei Guletskij

On Tuesday the Deputies of the Oblast Assembly, led by Chairman Vitali Fortygin, received their colleagues from the House of Representatives of the State of Maine (U.S.A.). The American parliamentarians took part in this meeting as part of the official agenda for their visit to Arkhangelsk.

The State of Maine is situated in the northeast part of the U.S. The natural and climatic conditions of this region are similar to our own. Like the Arkhangelsk Oblast, they have a lot of inland reservoirs, coniferous forests and access to the sea. These factors suggest a commonality with respect to potential economic problems.

As became evident during the meeting, the difficulties associated with enacting legislation are also the same. The differences relate mostly to procedural issues.

The Maine legislature is a bi-cameral elected legislative body. Members are elected every two years. The election process for the upper body (Senate) differs somewhat from the elections to the House of Representatives. The legislators are elected by districts, which are determined by the number of residents within a given area. An

area with a population of 8,000 people is classified as a district and they have the right to elect a representative to the House of Representatives. For elections to the upper chamber larger districts are utilized. In the Arkhangelsk Oblast the principle is similar, but the number of seats in the Assembly is determined precisely for each city and district. The size of the resident population is not as strict a factor.

The size of the legislative bodies differ considerably. While our Assembly has 39 Deputies, the Maine legislature has 186. Of these, 35 are members of the Senate and 151 are members of the House of Representatives.

The American parliamentarians, besides their law-making activities, have their own primary jobs. In other words, they are legislators part-time. The pace of their life is very demanding - they have to accomplish a lot. During a two-year session the Maine legislature considers 2500-3000 bills. Our Deputies did not comment on their own work product.

One other interesting detail - voting over there is open. Any constituent can find out how his representative voted with respect to this or that issue. For this purpose there is a specialized system of tabulation.

A common problem of all legislators is control over the execution of enacted laws. The interaction of the two branches of government in any country is complicated.

No matter how good the legal support is during the stage of drafting and enacting legislation, mistakes often remain. Later it becomes evident that laws passed at the regional level are not consistent with Federal law. Unfortunately this occurs more often than one would like.

The visit by the American legislators will last until 24 January. For today a trip is planned to the Museum of Wooden Architecture "Malye Karely" followed by the next meetings with the Deputies of the Oblast Assembly.

Newspaper Izvestia, 23 January 2003, Page 9 ("Arkhangelsk Events")

Headline with Photo: "Working Discussion"

"75 Percent of the Budget of the State of Maine is Spent on Education and Health Services"

"Yesterday Senators from the legislature of the American State of Maine and the leadership of the Arkhangelsk Oblast compared the interaction of the three branches of government. Chairman of the Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Matthew Dunlap, his deputy David Trahan and attorney Raymond Pelletier met in the Oblast Administration Building with First Deputy Governor Victor Pavlenko, Deputies of the Oblast Assembly, and heads of the Prosecutor's Office and Court. For over an hour the American legislators and Oblast leaders compared systems of drafting and enacting regional laws in the United States and Russia. Themain conclusion to be drawn from the discussion - there are no major differences in how the executive, legislative and judicial branches operate in the "States" and in Russia."

Valeri Rysev, Denis Selivanov

Viktor Pavlenko, fielding questions about interaction with the Oblast Assembly, told how legislation in our Oblast is drafted. Legislative initiative in the region belongs to the Governor, the Oblast Assembly, municipal authorities, the Court and the Prosecutor's Office.

The participation of the latter two institutions in the law-making process caught the interest of the Americans. In the U.S. the courts are preoccupied with the handling of criminal cases, - this is their fundamental responsibility. In Russia on the other hand, according to Oblast Prosecutor Alexander Apanasenko, due to the fact that during recent years regional and federal laws are being brought into harmony with one another, the courts and, in the first instance the Prosecutor's Office often must control the process. Legislators in the Arkhangelsk Oblast have successfully handled this task.

There was also discussion about the powers of the head of the region, and the enactment of changes in the laws. For example, since the time the Charter of the Arkhangelsk Oblast was enacted in 1995 there have been nine amendments enacted.

- Last year we had a very controversial bill, said Senator Matthew Dunlap, which concerned the power of the Governor to restrict the rights and freedoms of citizens in the event of an epidemic or terrorist act. The powers of the Governor provided for in this bill were very broad. But the legislature was not ready to give such powers to the Governor. The legislators required that the Governor deliver a report within 90 days after exercising these powers. The legislature then has the right to call a special session to consider repealing the Governor's order. To what extent can your Governor take similar actions?

Victor Pavlenko answered that over here so far there has been no such situation. But the Arkhangelsk Governor has the right to declare an emergency situation. However, even during the recent period of extreme cold which created difficult situations with respect to utility services in several populated areas, it was not necessary to declare an emergency because we managed to handle the problems in the normal order.

The State of Maine is an agricultural state, and substantial budget resources are spent on agricultural support. This year, according to our guests, from the State treasury alone around $12 million have been allocated for this purpose. This is not counting money from the federal budget. It is interesting that the amount of money appropriated was the same as the amount requested by the farmers.

The tax situation in Maine also interested the Arkhangelsk lawmakers. Privileges in this American region are given as a rule not on an individual basis, but by category: for example, to farmers who own not less than 100 head of cattle. According to the visitors, there is a very high tax on buildings. This is a kind of assessment on new construction. For the first 12 years this tax is not collected, but the city is reimbursed for the loss of this tax by the State, so that the municipal budget does not lose anything.

- Are there state news media in Maine? Inquired the journalists present at the meeting.

According to the senators, there are. They are supported by the municipal and state governments, and private donations. Only those radio and TV stations, newspapers and magazines which broadcast or print materials of a non-profit nature receive such financial support. Moreover, according to the Americans, no interference is allowed in the programming or content of news publications.

- The press plays a large role, said Matthew Dunlap. - The news media really are a fourth branch of government.

- We often work with the press, - emphasized David Trahan.

- Journalists help us in many things and in essence are our allies.

The legislature in Maine passes on average 200-300 laws in the course of a year. - Most of our work is in such areas as health, education and social programs, -

observed Matthew Dunlap.

About 55 percent of the Maine budget is spent on education; on health about 20 percent. The budget of the State of Maine is $5.2 billion.

Newspaper "On the Shore of the White Sea", 23 January 2003, Pace 3

Headline with Photo: "The Reality of American Democracy"

"On the invitation of the Chairman of the Oblast Assembly, Vitali Fortygin, Representatives from the State of Maine, Matthew Dunlap and David Trahan, have come to Arkhangelsk"

During the visit they are supposed to discuss legislative problems which confront both our legislators and those across the ocean. The guests will also become familiar with the business and cultural life of Arkhangelsk.

The first meeting at the Oblast Assembly has already shown that the discussions will be interesting and worthwhile. The Americans were somewhat surprised to learn that the entire law-making process, including the preparation and passage of our principal document - the Oblast budget - is done by 39 deputies. The State of Maine has a population equal to that of the Oblast, but their representatives number almost 200. What is amusing is that the volume of work, despite this numerical superiority, is practically the same.

It seemed to me that the myth about American democracy was dispelled at the meeting. The procedures which govern in the House of Representatives, viewed from our perspective, seem draconian. The Speaker in America not only conducts the sessions - in addition to everything else he controls the fate of the representatives.

It all begins with the fact that the Speaker appoints the chairs and members of the permanent committees. There are no elections, no "I want" or "I don't want". The Speaker has said so, period.

Matthew Dunlap, himself chairman of one of the permanent committees, with a smile told of the severe reality of the daily routine of the House of Representatives: "The discussion of the budget is coming to a close. The Speaker votes "yes" and sees that one

of the chairs of a committee does not agree with him. The following day this representative may be deprived not only of his office, but his position. The Speaker may at any time return you to the position of a simple representative." This seemed to our deputies so unexpected that they began to re-question their American colleagues: "Is it really true that the Speaker has these powers?"

- It's true, true, - assured David Trahan.

One could learn from the Americans another rule - concern for the opinions of the voters. While considering a law a representative might say: I've receive several calls from my constituents. They are not happy with such and such. This is enough for the representatives to pay particular attention to the controversial provision. Often enough significant changes will result or it will be rejected altogether. As David Trahan said, the main lobbyist in our country is the people, the populace.

So suppose a law is passed and the residents nevertheless do not agree with it? For a period of 90 days the voters have the right to conduct a referendum to cancel the law. A so-called "People's veto" - is not rare in the experience of the American legislators.

And do you remember our recent torture over the elections of deputies, when a shortage of 200-300 voters voided the elections. The Americans are completely free of this syndrome - a minimum turnout requirement does not exist over there. Theoretically one voter could show up at the polling booth and the election would be valid. But that's in theory. Experience shows that around 25 percent of Americans take part in elections. Again, in theory 25 percent - the most active part of the population, whether in America, whether in Asia. But the "active part" of the population does not think about this: they just like this activity - voting. And the ones who do not like to vote, they go to their dachas, their ranches. And they work.

Anatoli Nikolaev

In the photo: meeting at the Oblast Assembly

Newspaper "The Wave", 24-30 January 2003

Front Page, Lead Story with Photo: "Best to Learn from Others' Mistakes"

"Today concludes a visit to Arkhangelsk by a delegation of legislators from the House of Representatives of the American State of Maine"

Matthew Dunlap is Chairman of the Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, David Trahan is a member of the same Committee, and Raymond Pelletier is an attorney with the firm of Verrill and Dana. They arrived in our Oblast capitol on Monday, even gave a short press conference at the airport.

On Tuesday the delegation was received by the Chairman of the Oblast Assembly of Deputies, Vitali Fortygin. They discussed such topics as a comparison of the legislative processes of Arkhangelsk Oblast and the State of Maine, the rules governing

the operation of the committees of the legislative bodies, the role of lobbyists and social organizations in the enactment of laws. We should point out that both our legislators and the Americans have already conducted similar visits to one another. Such meetings are helpful most of all as a sharing of experiences. As one of the deputies of the Oblast Assembly stated, we need to learn from mistakes, but ... others' mistakes.

Thus, the Americans do not have a minimum threshold of voter turnout; that is, a representative will be elected even if only one voter shows up and votes for him. The Speaker of their House has more power: he alone appoints the chairs of the committees and names particular representatives to them. Over here, as we know, the chairs are confirmed by the Assembly, and the Deputies decide themselves who will work on each. In the State of Maine the legislature consists of two chambers - the Senate (35 people) and the House of Representatives (151 of them). On each Committee there are three Senators, the rest are members of the House of Representatives. The Americans call a "session" the entire two-year period for which the representatives are elected. In the Maine State legislature there are only three parties represented. Among the members of the delegation which has come here there is one democrat and the other is a republican. Our next elections to the Oblast Assembly will take place according to a hybrid system, that is a portion of the Deputies will be from the parties. Vitali Fortygin pointed out during the meeting that a new Oblast law on elections must be enacted prior to 14 June.

On the same day, Tuesday, the Americans were guests of the Dobrolyubov Library and Lomonosov Foundation.

On Wednesday the Maine delegation had a meeting in the Oblast Administration Building with the First Deputy of the Governor, Victor Pavlenko, Deputies from the Oblast Assembly, and leaders from the Prosecutor's Office and Court. The American legislators had the opportunity to compare the system of drafting and enacting regional laws over there and here in Russia. Victor Pavlenko, fielding questions on interaction with the Oblast Assembly, explained how bills are generated in the Arkhangelsk Oblast. Over here the right to initiate legislation belongs to the head of the administration, deputies of the Oblast Assembly, municipal governments, the Court and the Prosecutor's Office. The Americans were interested in the participation of the latter two institutions in the legislative process. During the meeting there was discussion of the powers of the Governor, and how changes are made to laws. Since 1995 there have been nine amendments to the Charter of the Oblast.

On the same day the Americans, together with deputies of the Oblast Assembly and Federal Council Member Yuri Sivkov, discussed the question of limits of jurisdiction of the legislative body of our Oblast in comparison to the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.

Yuri Sergeevich explained to the representatives from Maine how the legislative process is structured between the federal and local levels. In the recent past he himself was a deputy of the Oblast Assembly and knows well the intricacies of this subject. Our Senator commented that the main problem, so far unresolved, is that the financial sources of budget revenue are determined from above - at the federal level, not below. As a result, at the local level there is insufficient revenue to fulfill their responsibilities. Yuri Sivkov sees many weaknesses also in the newly drafted law on local self-government.

In the State of Maine fees for use of natural resources (meaning hunting and fishing) go toward the implementation of specific programs. We do not have such directed financing. Over there excise taxes on gasoline go toward road repairs: car owners damage the roads and they themselves pay for restoration - and this is understandable and fair. Essentially we are headed in the same direction as the Americans. And Yuri Sivkov explained the following. When the revolving road maintenance tax was repealed, a portion of the excise tax from the sale of gasoline was transferred to the road maintenance department.

Matthew Dunlap and David Trahan directed many questions to Deputy Frolov, who also heads the political council of the City branch of the Unity Party of Russia and is also the Vice President of the company OAO "Arkhangelsk Geological Recovery". They asked him whether it was difficult to start a business in Arkhangelsk, whether the cost of business equipment is tax deductible (as it is over there), whether there are a lot of court cases relating to the performance of contracts, and so forth. These questions were of particular interest to Mr. Trahan, who himself has a small business.

The legislators from the State of Maine during these days also visited companies, the museum "Malye Karely", and the Museum of Graphic Art. Yesterday the American delegation took part in a discussion of the topic "Domestic Violence", budget processes, and taxes in our Oblast and in their State.

Today a meeting is planned with the Governor, Anatoli Ephremov, and also a press conference by the participants in the delegation. In the evening the Americans will fly home. By all appearances the visit was productive. And contacts with the American legislators will, of course, continue.

Yuri Antrushin