We received a particularly outstanding letter in the office today. It's addressed to Brian Brown, executive director of the National Organization for Marriage, and the return address reads: "(Miss) Petunia DeWitt / [Street Address] / (the trailer out back) / Falmouth, ME."

I'll allow the highlights to speak for themselves:

Some intrepid Facebook reportage suggests that there will be an impromptu and informal celebration at 7 pm in Monument Square tonight.

Here's the Press Herald on today's events; here's As Maine Goes, and here's Pam's House Blend (with a really interesting story about a personal phone call Governor Baldacci made last week).

EqualityMaine Applauds House Passage of Marriage Equality Bill

AUGUSTA - The momentum continues to build in favor of legislation granting marriage equality to same-sex couples in Maine. In the halls of the State House on Tuesday, leaders of the coalition backing the bill hailed the impressive vote in the House of Representatives sending the bill one big step closer to enactment.

I joined a conference call with state representatives Diane Russell (D-Portland) and Adam Goode (D-Bangor) this afternoon. Also speaking on the call were Harriett Spencer of AFSCME Council 93, and Maine citizens Judy Morgan and David White. The point of the call was to mark President Obama's first 100 days in office, and also to express appreciation for US Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, and Reps Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree.

Here is a complete list of Senator Damon's co-sponsors on An Act To End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom:

The lead co-sponsor is Representative Hannah Pingree (D-North Haven).

Senators:

Justin Alfond (D-Portland)

Phil Bartlett (D-Gorham)

Larry Bliss (D-South Portland/Cape Elizabeth)

With Governor Baldacci imposing $10s of millions in budget reductions, and the legislature scrambling to figure out what agencies and programs can stand another round of severe cuts, everyone's trying to make sure they keep their piece of the pie. Not only that, but everyone thinks they have the solution, the answers, the best way to climb out of this dreadful abyss

The growing prominence of women in Maine politics, as evidenced by Chellie Pingree's election (she's the first Democratic female elected to the US House or Senate from Maine), and the selection of Hannah Pingree and Libby Mitchell to lead their respective state legislative houses (both have set records -- Pingree is the youngest woman to serve in her role; Mitchell is the first person to have served as a leader in both state houses), is in line with national trends.