AUGUSTA — A $149.5 million state borrowing plan for roads and education facilities is one step closer to the November ballot following lawmakers’ approval of the bond package during a special legislative session on Thursday.
The five-bill bond package proposal easily reached the two-thirds majority in both chambers necessary for approval. The bills now head to Republican Gov. Paul LePage, who’s expected to sign them, putting to rest a partisan fight over a borrowing proposal in Augusta that has been brewing since lawmakers adjourned last month.
LePage said he was “pleased” to be able to send the bonds to voters in November.
“Infrastructure projects create good-paying jobs in the construction industry, and our roads, bridges and ports are important economic drivers that help attract and retain jobs,” he said in a statement. “We are improving our transportation network, and we are putting Mainers back to work.”
Lawmakers applauded their ability to reach bi-partisan agreement on the proposal, which was recently hammered out by LePage and Democratic leaders.
“Hopefully this bipartisan compromise sets a new tone for relations at the state House,” House Republican Leader Ken Fredette, of Newport, said in a statement.
The package includes:
- LD 782: $15.5 million bond for the renovation and upgrade of labs and other STEM facilities at all seven campuses of the University of Maine system.
- LD 245: $14 million bond for maintenance, capital projects, modernization and energy efficiency measures at Maine Army National Guard armories throughout the state.
- LD 221: $4.5 million bond to contribute to a public-private partnership for a new science facility at Maine Maritime Academy.
- LD 636: $15.5 million bond for the construction, renovation and upgrade of labors, classrooms and offices at the seven campuses of the Maine Community College System.
LePage and Democrats had clashed over the timing of the bonds prior to reaching a deal earlier this month. Democrats had originally intended to return next month to vote out a proposal for the June ballot. But LePage and GOP lawmakers attacked Democrats for not taking action sooner, arguing that a November vote on the transportation bond was necessary for the Department of Transportation to move forward with construction project planning.
More than $35 million would go toward expanding and upgrading facilities at Maine’s universities and community colleges, which education leaders have said are essential to meet growing demand. Maine’s seven community colleges would get money to construct buildings, expand classrooms and renovate science labs.
Assistant House Democratic Leader Jeff McCabe, of Skowhegan, said investment in the state now is critical.
“Our state is in need of enormous investments statewide … and there is no better time than now to make these investments,” McCabe said.
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