Senate, House Approve $295 Million Bond Package
One-Third of Total Package Devoted to Infrastructure
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 5, 2007
AUGUSTA – A $295 million bond package was approved by the full Legislature Wednesday night, with $136 million allocated specifically for transportation and a significant portion of a $25 million environmental investment going towards drinking water and sewer systems. Other bonding areas include research and development, and education.
A 2/3rds vote of the members of both chambers is required to approve any bonding legislation. In the House, 138 members voted in favor of the bond package. Six members voted against the package and seven members were absent. In the Senate, 33 members voted in favor of the bond package. No Senate members voted against the package, and two members were absent for the vote.
Senate Republican Leader Carol Weston, of Montville, was pleased with Wednesday night’s outcome, and the hard work that caucus leaders and the Appropriations Committee did in the weeks leading up to the vote. “This bond package demonstrates what can happen when both parties sit down to really work something out,” she said. “By remaining below statutory limitations and prioritizing Maine’s deteriorating infrastructure, this package achieves many of the goals Republicans had publicly set.”
Maine ’s voters must approve the bond package before any investments take place. The $295 million will be divided into six separate ballot questions over the course of three elections. The first two questions, which will appear on a June 2007 ballot, will focus on transportation (including $100 million for roads and bridges), and environmental investment, for a total of $131,275,000. Three questions focusing on research and development, natural resources and education will be on the November 2007 ballot which will total $134 million. The remaining $29,725,000 would be devoted to other transportation and environmental projects in a single question on a June 2008 ballot.
“This vote schedule takes up Maine’s roads, bridges, sewer systems and water quality substantially and quickly,” Sen. Weston explained. “A June 2007 vote shows just how high a priority investing in Maine’s deteriorating infrastructure is. I am proud of the work that was done to highlight this infrastructure priority to legislators, the public, the media, and the industry these past weeks. This is a responsible and essential bond package and a victory for everyone inside and outside the State House.”
CONTACT:
William Thompson 287-1505 (o)
Communications Director, Senate Republican Office