March 28, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Legislators weigh bond wish lists

AUGUSTA — Lawmakers on the Appropriations Committee, who are very aware of the state’s lack of revenue, were confronted Wednesday with requests for more than $200 million in borrowing, a figure that is sure to be sharply reduced.

The committee heard brief descriptions of eight bond issues submitted by legislators totaling $108 million. It also heard Stephen Adams, acting director of the State Planning Office, describe four bond issues totaling $97.3 million proposed by Gov. John R. McKernan.

“I think if the citizens of Maine knew that we were looking at $200 million in borrowing today, I think they would hyperventilate,” said Rep. Judith C. Foss, R-Yarmouth, a member of the committee.

Sen. Michael D. Pearson, D-Enfield, said the committee would rank the bond-issue requests by priority at a later date. Pearson asked Adams to get the governor to rank his proposals by priority.

All bond issues require a two-thirds vote of the Legislature and then ratification in a statewide referendum of voters.

Maine voters, beset by a deep and persistent recession, have not been in a borrowing mood for several years.

While bond issues used to routinely win voter approval, it’s now more common that they get defeated. In 1991, voters rejected six out of seven bond issues plus the $100 million widening of the Maine Turnpike. In 1992, voters defeated four out of six bond questions. In between, voters in June 1992 approved a $79 million jobs bond.

Here is a look at the eight bond issues proposed by legislators:

$12 million for water-pollution control facilities, sponsored by Rep. Marjorie Kilkelly, D-Wiscasset.

$20 million for landfill closure and cleanup and to provide grants to municipalities for recycling equipment, sponsored by Rep. Marjorie Kilkelly, D-Wiscasset.

$15 million for energy conservation projects. “There’s still a large unmet need out there for energy efficiency,” said Rep. Conrad Heeschen, D-Wilton, the bill’s sponsor. “We should consider this an investment in Maine’s economy.”

$10 million for assessment, protection and restoration of Maine lakes, sponsored by Sen. Beverly M. Bustin, D-Augusta.

$5 million for equipment to help towns replace their demolition-debris dumps, sponsored by Rep. Michael Michaud, D-East Millinocket.

$6 million to help communities meet requirements of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act by installing filtration devices, sponsored by Rep. George Kerr, D-Old Orchard Beach.

$30 million for the Land for Maine’s Future Board to continue its program of land purchases for the public, sponsored by Rep. James Mitchell, D-Freeport.

$10 million to help towns and school districts buy school buses, sponsored by Rep. Willis Lord, R-Waterboro.

Gov. McKernan’s bond plan, which touched on some of the same areas as the legislative requests, includes:

$42.1 million for job creation and infrastructure improvement. This includes $9.5 million in improvements to airports, caro ports and ferry terminals. It also includes $10.3 million in repairs to buildings in the University of Maine System and another $10 million to establish a distance learning network, linking high schools to college campuses by interactive television. Another $10.4 million is for safety renovations at state buildings.

$5.1 million to help bring state buildings into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act on handicapped access.

$20.1 million for improvements to environmental facilities, including $12 million for water-pollution control facilities, $5 million for closing and remediation of landfills, and $3 million for improvements to state park septic systems.

A $30 million package of highway and bridge projects. This would be borrowed against the Highway Fund, generated by the gasoline tax, unlike the other bond issues that would be repaid from the General Fund.

Adams said that McKernan’s $97.3 million package would generate another $149 million in federal matching money. He said the package was pared down from $170 million in requests by state departments.

“This is a reasoned and balanced initiative that recognizes important public priorities,” Adams said.


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