Maine’s Infrastructure Comes Out on Top
Republicans Prevent Further Neglect of Roads, Bridges, Sewer Systems and Water
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 2, 2006
AUGUSTA –After weeks of deliberations, negotiations, media coverage and committee testimonies, Democrats and Republicans have agreed on a bond package to put before Maine voters. The package, which totals $295 million, devotes $136 million specifically to transportation, and a significant portion of a $25 million environmental investment going to drinking water and sewer systems. Research and development, natural resources and education also received funding in the package.
This significant investment in infrastructure has been hailed as a victory by Republican legislators, who wanted to avoid a repeat of past bond negotiations in which infrastructure was significantly under funded. This year, Republicans were successful in persuading the Democratic majority leaders to prioritize Maine’s infrastructure needs, with nearly half of the total bond package devoted to Maine’s roads, bridges, sewer systems and water.
Senate Republican Leader Carol Weston, of Montville, acknowledged that the final infrastructure amount is lower than Republicans had hoped for, but pointed out that matching funds from the federal government would be significant. “The $110 million for roads and bridges will become substantially higher because of federal matching funds,” she said. “Republicans successfully led the crafting of an affordable package, and we were successful in devoting a responsible amount of money to our deteriorating infrastructure.” The current bond package’s $110 million for roads and bridges is larger than the Governor’s proposal, and what the Democratic leadership had suggested in previous negotiations.
Although the Democratic majority refused to allow a separate infrastructure bond proposal, insisting on a single, all inclusive package, negotiations are ongoing to determine how voters will cast their ballot for the bonds. “Republicans don’t believe that Maine’s citizens should be forced to vote for research and development or historic sites bonding if the only item they want to bond for is infrastructure,” Sen. Weston said. “We’re hoping that voters will be allowed to vote on each individual line item of the bond package so they can truly demonstrate their own bonding priorities.”
CONTACT:
William Thompson 287-1505 (o)
Communications Director, Senate Republican Office