Fascinating, but frustrating is how I’ve often described my work in Augusta and the latter
certainly describes our special session on Monday.
We were called back to Augusta to consider Gov. Mills’ revised bond package. We were scheduled to consider the governor’s package in June before we adjourned but the Republican caucus wanted the bonds to be considered in separate, more modest bills. The bonds were cut from $239 to $163 million and divided into 4 bills:
According to Maine State Treasurer Henry Beck, who advocated passing all 4 bond options, the sooner the state has the option of going to market with new bonds, the better, but now there likely won’t be any further voting on bonds until January.
We were called back to Augusta to consider Gov. Mills’ revised bond package. We were scheduled to consider the governor’s package in June before we adjourned but the Republican caucus wanted the bonds to be considered in separate, more modest bills. The bonds were cut from $239 to $163 million and divided into 4 bills:
- Transportation: $105 million to upgrade roads, bridges, ports, rail and air and to repair culverts and restore a commercial fishing wharf. Estimated federal matching and other funds: $137 million; passed.
- Infrastructure and Economic Development: $15 million to expand high speed internet access in rural Maine (It is estimated that more than 83,000 households in Maine do not have access to high speed broadband). Estimated federal matching and other funds: at least a 3:1 match; $4 million for capital equipment for career and technical education centers; $4 million to restore and modernize Maine National Guard facilities. Estimated federal matching and other funds: 1:1 match; failed.
- Wastewater Treatment and Energy Efficiency: $5 million to improve wastewater infrastructure at the municipal level to prevent and control pollution. Estimated federal matching and other funds: $12.5 million or more; $5 million to support remediation efforts through the Dept. of Environmental Protection at uncontrolled hazardous sites; $5 million for the Heating Fuels Efficiency and Weatherization Fund to provide low-interest loans for energy efficiency projects, including heat pumps for residential homeowners; failed.
- Land Conservation: $20 million for the Land for Maine’s Future program to preserve farmland, working waterfronts, and other natural resources (to see what LMF has preserved in the past 30 years, see https://www.maine.gov/dacf/lmf/). This program hasn’t been funded in more than 8 years. Estimated federal matching and other funds: $80 million; failed.
According to Maine State Treasurer Henry Beck, who advocated passing all 4 bond options, the sooner the state has the option of going to market with new bonds, the better, but now there likely won’t be any further voting on bonds until January.
Are we being fiscally irresponsible by wanting these bonds to be put in front of Maine voters?
No. The budget, which passed with strong bipartisan support, includes debt service for bonding
up to $300 million and added $19.8 million to the Budget Stabilization (“Rainy Day”) Fund. This
package was not the largest ever proposed, and less than the $200 million authorized by voters
in 2018. Compared to other states, Maine has a modest debt profile and a strong framework
for repayment.
It is especially frustrating that party-line voting will prevent the people of Maine from being able to show the Legislature their funding priorities on the ballot this November.
We can afford to be investing in the future of Maine’s workers, land, and safety, and it is our responsibility to do so.
You can follow the legislative process online at http://legislature.maine.gov or in local newspapers or radio, but if you would like to get move involved or if you have questions or concerns, contact me at Sarah.Pebworth@legislature.maine.gov.
It is especially frustrating that party-line voting will prevent the people of Maine from being able to show the Legislature their funding priorities on the ballot this November.
We can afford to be investing in the future of Maine’s workers, land, and safety, and it is our responsibility to do so.
You can follow the legislative process online at http://legislature.maine.gov or in local newspapers or radio, but if you would like to get move involved or if you have questions or concerns, contact me at Sarah.Pebworth@legislature.maine.gov.
