JOINT RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO SAFEGUARD THE STATE'S ROLE IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS

your Memorialists, the Members of the One Hundred and Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Maine now assembled in the First Regular Session, most respectfully present and petition the President of the United States and the Congress of the United States as follows:

WHEREAS,  the State of Maine strongly supports international trade when fair rules of trade are in place and seeks to be an active participant in the global economy; and

WHEREAS,  the State of Maine seeks to maximize the benefits and minimize any negative impacts of international trade; and

WHEREAS,  existing trade agreements have impacts that extend significantly beyond the bounds of traditional trade matters such as tariffs and quotas and can undermine Maine's constitutionally guaranteed authority to protect the public health, safety and welfare and regulatory authority; and

WHEREAS,  a succession of federal trade negotiators from both political parties over the years have failed to operate in a transparent manner and have failed to meaningfully consult with states on the far-reaching impact of trade agreements on state and local laws, even when binding the State of Maine to the terms of these agreements; and

WHEREAS,  existing trade agreements have not done enough to ensure a level playing field for Maine workers and businesses or to include meaningful human rights, labor and environmental standards, which hurts Maine businesses, workers and communities; and

WHEREAS,  the negative impact of existing trade agreements on the State's constitutionally guaranteed authority to protect the public health, safety and welfare and regulatory authority has occurred in part because United States trade policy has been formulated and implemented under the Trade Promotion Authority, or Fast-Track, process; and

WHEREAS,  the Trade Promotion Authority eliminates vital checks and balances established in the United States Constitution by broadly delegating to the Executive Branch authority reserved for Congress to set the terms of international trade; and

WHEREAS,  the Trade Promotion Authority circumvents normal congressional review and amendment committee procedures, limits debate to 20 hours total, forbids any floor amendments to the implementing legislation that is presented to Congress and generally creates a nontransparent trade policy-making process; and

WHEREAS,  the Trade Promotion Authority is not necessary for negotiating trade agreements, as demonstrated by the existence of scores of trade agreements, including major pacts such as the agreements administered by the World Trade Organization, implemented without use of Fast-Track; and

WHEREAS,  the current grant of the Trade Promotion Authority expires in July 2007; now, therefore, be it

That We, your Memorialists, respectfully urge and request that the President of the United States and the Congress of the United States create a replacement for the Trade Promotion Authority system so that United States trade agreements are developed and implemented using a more democratic and inclusive mechanism that entails meaningful consultation with states; and be it further

That We, your Memorialists, respectfully urge and request that the President of the United States and the Congress of the United States fully fund and support export promotion programs and Trade Adjustment Assistance programs; and be it further

That suitable copies of this resolution, duly authenticated by the Secretary of State, be transmitted to the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States, to the President of the Senate of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States, to Ambassador Susan Schwab, United States Trade Representative, and to each Member of the Maine Congressional Delegation.