For the second day in a row, Gov. John Baldacci's proposed supplemental budget was assailed by poor, disabled and elderly Mainers who say the plan to fill a $438 million shortfall will hurt Maine's most vulnerable residents. Several hundred people, some on walkers, some in wheelchairs, crammed into the State House to demand an alternative -- and they're calling for a tax increase as part of the solution.

Not since state government shut down in the budget crisis of 1991 has the Hall of Flags been so packed with distressed Mainers. And not since then have lawmakers been confronted with such hard choices over where to draw the line.

Take the case of Norman Jolicoeur, known as "Jolly" to his friends. He's physically unable to speak, so his guardian, Jennifer Kinnelly, did so on his behalf.

"Jolly's in his early 70's, and in addition to his intellectual disabilities, he has a variety of medical conditions including myotonic dystrophy, diabetes, chronic infections and a history of pancreatitis," Kinnelly said. "Jolly has a significant hearing loss, does not communicate using words and uses a feeding tube for most of his nutrition."

Jolly and two housemates are cared for by direct support professionals with specialized training, as well as nursing staff. Kinnelly acknowledges that the level of their care is expensive. But she says under the proposed supplemental budget, the rate for their direct care staff would be cut by ten percent, their nurses hours would be cut 15 percent, visits for lab and x-ray services would be limited and they could lose transportation to medical and other appointments.

All three men, she says, would be put at risk, and possibly wind up in the emergency room, which costs even more. "Across the board cuts that target Maine's most vulnerable citizens is not a responsible approach," she said, addressing the crowd of demonstrators. "Can't Maine do better? Jolly and I hope so. Thank you."

The Maine Can Do Better Coalition of low income and social justice agencies and supporters is instead advocating for what they call a balanced approach to the budget shortfall that protects essential public programs. Kit St. John of the Maine Center for Economic Policy says a similar strategy was adopted during the budget crisis of 1991, in the form of a temporary one-cent increase on the sales tax and a ten percent temporary surcharge on income taxes.

"Today, a penny on the sales tax could raise, in 2011, $190 million; a ten percent surcharge on income tax would raise about $140 million. Now, we're not suggesting that the Legislature is likely to adopt all of that, but we're saying some of that kind of approach needs to be part of the solution," St. John says.

Governor John Baldacci has, so far, vowed not to raise taxes to balance the budget. And, for that, people like Will Hamilton of Standish say they are grateful. Hamilton is a retired sales executive and a member of Maine Taxpayers' United. He joined members of the conservative Maine Heritage Policy Center and others at the edge of the rally with a message of their own.

"Taxes are too high, the waste is too deep," Hamilton says. "We're not saying there aren't good programs, there are good programs, but let's use some common sense in where we're spending our money.

Susan Sharon: "Are you sympathetic to the people here?"

Will Hamilton: "Yes, I am. I don't want to hurt any of them, but I can't afford it anymore."

Since 2003, Maine has cut about 1,000 state employees. But Hamilton says that's not enough. He says state government is still too big, still too wasteful.

Chris Cinquemani of the Maine Heritage Policy Center agrees. "We are certainly not promoting any sort of initiative that would harm the most vulnerable residents of our state, but we do believe that there are responsible savings to be had by addressing some of these growing government programs."

Cinquemani says holding the line on taxes and cutting state spending is the best way to grow Maine's economy. Members of the Maine Can Do Better Coalition disagree. They point out that without well-maintained highways, adequate public safety and first-rate schools, Maine is not going to attract new business.

More importantly, they say, without the services to care for frail, disabled and needy Mainers, the state will be neglecting a moral responsibility.